David studied painting and printmaking at Harrogate College of Art before attending the Slade School in London in 1959-1962.

While pursuing his own painting practice, he began teaching at Bradford College of Art and at Harrogate College of Art. In 1963 he was appointed to teach full-time at Harrogate. This included teaching printmaking, which was becoming of special interest to him as an artist.

His paintings and prints are based on observation. Landscape and natural form provide the subject. In particular, he has a long standing attachment to the North East coast, often working on the spot and then developing ideas further in his Harrogate studio. Found objects also provide a starting point and these are sometimes incorporated into the surface from which the print is then taken.

He has exhibited in many mixed shows including the Royal West of England Academy, The Manchester Academy of Fine Art, The Mall Galleries, London and was a prize winner in the Lincolnshire Graffik Print Exhibition in 1997.