He may have served in John of Gaunt's household in the 1390s as 'Jehan Pycard alias Vaux'.
The name "Picard" suggests a French origin, but his music is regarded as being in an English tradition.
He is one of the most prolific composers represented in the Old Hall Manuscript (British Library: Additional 57950), with nine works from it attributed to him.
His music is in the ars nova style, and is unusual in its virtuosity.
A Gloria by Pycard in the Old Hall Manuscript illustrates the sophistication of his isorhythmic techniques.