Charles Anderson was born in 1936. He studied Drawing and Painting at Glasgow School of Art under David Donaldson and Mary Armour, graduating with Diploma in 1959. Following his graduation Charles entered the Royal Scottish Academy painting competition for Post Graduate students and won the Chalmers Bursary. Joan Eardley who was one of the adjudicators took an interest in his Anderson's art work and encouraged him to exhibit at the RSA the same year.

For a period of about five years Charles Anderson taught art. Then in the mid 1960's Charles started working full time as a professional mural painter and sculptor. Since then he has worked on major Art and Design projects throughout the United Kingdom, carrying out commissions for a wide variety of clients including local authorities, property developers, banks and major insurance companies. One of his most prestigious commission was the result of winning a national sculpture competition to provide a bronze figurative group entitled The community for Livingston New Town in 1996.This was his last project before he retired as a sculptor.

In 1997 Charles Anderson returned to the painting of easel pictures. Since then he has exhibited at many major art galleries including: the Royal Glasgow Institute, the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours and The Royal Scottish Academy. Today Charles Anderson art works are in various private and public art collections throughout the U.K. and abroad.

In 2004 Charles Anderson was elected to the RSW. He has also served as President of the Glasgow Art Club for three years until February 2009.