[4][5][6] Charlton's brother George, who was five years older, was a teacher at the Slade School of Art in London.

His teachers at the college included Henry Tonks, Philip Wilson Steer and Randolph Schwabe.

[3] Charlton continued to paint and draw during his career as a teacher and a college inspector,[3] and in retirement he painted full-time and was able to contribute to a number of exhibitions, including at the Royal West of England Academy, the New English Art Club and the Welsh Arts Council.

[13] Charlton painted in a realistic style, and is known for invented landscapes and interiors with a surrealist atmosphere.

Charlton was also influenced by Leonardo and by the old masters in the National Gallery, following their conventions of perspective and composition, with a figure often placed at the golden section.