Artist in oil, watercolour and pastel in the spontaneous, English tradition. He studied at Bournville College of Art, 1956–9, Birmingham College of Art, 1959–61, and Royal Academy Schools, 1961–4, his teachers including Peter Greenham. Won several prizes and scholarships during his studies and many after. As well as showing widely in mixed shows in London and the provinces, Coates was past-president of RBA and PS and a member of NEAC, RP and RWS. His one-man shows included a number at New Grafton Gallery. Coates carried out a series of prestigious commissions, including one for the RWS in 1990 to paint the ceremonial procession celebrating HRH The Queen Mother’s ninetieth birthday. Wrote Creating a Self-Portrait, 1990. In the winter of 2000 was the commissioned artist with the England cricket team touring South Africa.