Rob Cowan is an established painter with over three decades’ experience in the creative industries. After graduating from Camberwell College of Art in 1993 with a BA (Hons) in Illustration, he pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Communication Design at Central Saint Martins, subsequently launching a successful and varied freelance illustration practice.
Painting has always been at the heart of Rob’s creative endeavours and as a painter, Rob favours large-scale works with bold, vibrant colour schemes, and is comfortable working in either figurative or realist modes. His work is always underpinned by a strong narrative, drawing inspiration in both concept and style from the Pop Art movement. Rob’s multi-layered approach has resulted in impactful commissions for both global corporates and public bodies.
Often produced as a series, Rob’s work invites the viewer to make their own assumptions about his subjects. He includes careful details in his work that indicate a story, personality or sense of place, expressed through his signature painting style, where evident brushstrokes give the work a distinct energy.
As well as building a diverse client base, Rob has also found success exhibiting his paintings. He has put on two acclaimed solo shows in London, achieved a Highly Distinguished Entry in the Ruth Borchard Self-Portrait Prize (2023), and was a finalist in the prestigious Figurativas (2025) in Barcelona.
Rob currently works out of his studio in Surrey, UK.