Richard studied painting at Maidstone College of Art (1971-74). He has continued to produce his own work ever since and has become intensely involved in etching. An experienced printer, Richard has editioned work for many contemporary artists, including David Hockney, Robert Ryman, Francesco Clemente, Donald Sultan and Keith Haring. In 1977 he worked with David Hockney as his assistant, building an etching studio for him in the basement of Hockney's then home in Powis Terrace, Notting Hill. It was an interesting time as Richard was able to watch Hockney at work on his sets for the Glyndebourne 'Magic Flute'.

In the early eighties, Richard was involved in printing the 'Banks Florilegium'. The plates for the 743 engravings of plants, from watercolours by Sydney Parkinson, during Cook's voyage to Australia, were stored in the British Museum for 200 years wrapped in a paper containing acid which was destroying them. Meticulous restoration ended with a plant expert checking them for botanical correctness before they could be published. In 1988 Richard spent several months in New York working with Jasper Johns, proofing and editioning complex carborundum prints.

1989 saw him working on 'The Valley' a collaboration between artist Keith Haring and writer William Burrows, with etched images illustrating an etched, hand-written text. Richard has also printed large projects for Donald Sultan ('Dominoes' 1990 and 'Playing Cards' 1990/1) and Francesco Clemente (Figures and Salamanders 1992 and the book plate 'Dante's Inferno' 1993). After working on the 'Resume Suite' and the Book Plates for Robert Ryman in 1994, more recently, he editioned the 'Couples Portfolio' which included work by Mel Bochner and Robert Ryman in 1995. Richard now concentrates solely on his own work, which derives from nature and travel. The garden he has designed at his studio is a rich source of inspiration. Filled with hollyhocks, foxgloves, poppies and wisteria, it is a small haven for wildlife and has been a starting point for many of his prints.

Since 1988, Richard has shown work in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition on no less than thirteen occasions and at the Royal College of Art for both the Art on Paper Fair and for the Hunting Art Prizes Exhibition. He has also shown his work in the Contemporary Print Show at the Barbican Centre and in the Royal West of England Academy Open Print Exhibition. He has taken part in several touring exhibitions of Japan, Korea, Australia and the USA and Canada.