Born in 1941 in the Midlands, Thomas Coates first studied art at the Birmingham College of Art, and continued his studies in 1961 at the Royal Academy Schools were he was awarded several scholarships. Now living in Hampshire with his wife Mary Jackson, an artist in her own right, Thomas is well respected among his peers; he is President of the Pastel Society and Past President of the Royal Society of British Artists. In addition, Thomas is a fellow of the Royal Society of Watercolor Painters, Past Chairman and Honorary Member of the Society of Equestrian Artists, a member of the New English Arts Club, and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

Thomas works in oils, watercolors, charcoal and pastel and his subjects range from landscapes to people to thoroughbred racehorses to arts-related scenes. He exhibits frequently in London at the Mall Galleries and many other contemporary galleries in London and the Provinces. He exhibits annually with the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Thomas has won many open competitions and awards including the 1991 and 1992 Top Prize from the Singer Friedlander/ London Sunday Times for British Watercolorists.

Member of the following Art Societies:
Past President and Honorary Member, Royal Society of British Painters, P.P.R.B.A.; Royal Society of Watercolour Painters, R.W.S.; Member Royal West Academy, R.W.A.; New English Arts Club, N.E.A.C.; President The Pastel Society, P.P.S.; Member de Honore, French Pastel Society; Hon. Member, Society of Equestrian Artists, S.E.A.; Hon. President of Wokingham Art Guild; Hon. Member of The Oxford Arts Society; Member Royal Society of Portrait Painters, R.P