Hugh Stoneman was born in London and studied painting at Camberwell School of Art, and etching at W Hayter's Paris Studio, Atelier 17. In 1972 he set up the Islington Studio, followed by the Print Centre in Earlham Street (1979) and then due to Covent Garden re-development, returned to Islington at Barnsberry Street (1988).

Stoneman and his wife Linda moved their printing works to West Cornwall in 1995, and set up his working studio at their Madron farm, near Penzance. In the ten years that he unknowingly had remaining to him, his output was extraordinary, and the artists gathered around him, some following him from London and previous commissions, others local to Cornwall, excited to have professional facility of the highest standard on their doorsteps. All were interested in the power of the contemporary print to introduce and sustain a modern environment, whether commercial or domestic. His devotion to purpose, and passion for the medium of the print, with accuracy and flair, are qualities for which he is remembered. 

In 2008 the Tate St Ives Gallery honoured his career with a retrospective exhibition and accompanying catalogue, Hugh Stoneman: Master Printer. From that publication, the true extent of his portfolio can be surveyed, and includes many of the most prominent of contemporary artists, past and present, Eileen COOPER, Ian McKEEVER, Patrick HERON, Breon O'CASEY, Tony O'MALLEY, Bob LAW, Karl WESCHKE to name but a few.  Continuing their joint work to the present day, his wife Linda has established Stoneman Graphics, a contemporary arts gallery in Chapel Street, Penzance.