James Proudfoot was born in Perth, Scotland on 3 March 1908. In 1937 he moved to London where he studied at Heatherley's School of Fine Art and Goldsmiths' College. He completed his studies in Paris. He subsequently worked as a portrait and landscape painter and as a black and white artist.

He exhibited at the New English Art Club, Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Royal Academy, and Royal Institute of Oil Painters in London; Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh; Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts; and at the Paris Salon. He was a member of the Chelsea Arts Club and the Dover Street Arts Club. He was also elected a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) in 1934. He died in London on 15 July 1971.

_{Text source: Art History Research net (AHR net)}