He began painting in the 1930s in Dulwich, mentored by James Fitton RA, and in 1942 exhibited with The London Group.
[4][5] In 1945, during World War II, Lawson survived a hit on his home by a V-1 flying bomb.
[6] Lawson later worked with Sutherland on studies for the large tapestry Christ in Glory in the Tetramorph for Coventry Cathedral.
[3][7] In retirement he returned to painting, inspired by visits to the Algarve, Madeira and the Amalfi coast, and latterly he spend winters in Menton, France.
[7] Lawson died on 22 May 2008 at his home in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, after suffering from cancer.