Born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1968, Simon studied for a diploma in technical illustration at Leamington Spa before concentrating on illustration and graphic design at Swindon College of Arts. His working life began as a graphic designer and freelance book and magazine illustrator, but he soon moved into comics work in the early 1990s.
Simon divides his time between portrait painting and comic book illustration. He believes that the compositional discipline of his comic-strip work perfectly complements his oil painting and encourages him to produce dynamic and economical images.
In 2008, Simon was runner-up in the BP Portrait Award and also elected as a member of the Royal Society if Portrait Painters in the same year. He was their vice-president from 2014 – 2021.
Simon has contributed to the ground-breaking comic 2000AD for the best past of 30 years. He has worked on many stories, most notably Sinister Dexter with writer Dan Abnett and Slaine with Pat Mills. His work has been collected into many graphic novel editions which have been translated throughout Europe. Most recently he has illustrated three volumes of the folk-horror story Thistlebone with writer Tom Eglington. Two of his graphic novels are currently being developed for television and film.
Simon’s choice of work has always been eclectic and includes storyboarding music for videos for, amongst others, Tori Amos and Muse, designing a tattoo for Oscar Isaac in Alex Garland’s film Annihilation, and painting the poster for Ben Wheatley’s film Happy New Year, Colin Burstead.
Simon’s work is exhibited widely and is to be found in collections all over the world.
