An artist, etcher and illustrator, Patrick Woodroffe was born in Halifax and attended Leeds University, where he read French and German. He specialised in science-fiction fantasy images bordering on the surreal, and was a self-taught artist. He married in 1964 and honeymooned in Cornwall, where he remained for the rest of his days.

In 1972 he gave up his work as a language teacher, in order to focus full-time on his art. His love of the irrational was fostered by Sir Roland PENROSE, the Surrealist artist and critic. It was through Penrose's influence that Patrick had his first solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. In 1972 his work was shown at the Covent Garden Gallery. His career included the creation of covers for a considerable number of science fiction and fantasy books published by Pan Books. He also created album covers for rock stars.

In the early 1990s a retrospective of his work was held at the Chateau de Gruyeres in Switzerland, covering the walls of the former prison tower. This attracted 150,000 visitors and led to the formation of a permanent exhibition of his work there. Following this, he exhibited widely in Switzerland, Germany and France.

In Cornwall Woodroffe's work was exhibited at Falmouth's National Maritime Museum. In 2012 he took part in 'Soaring Spirits' at Falmouth Art Gallery.