Born in Preston, Lancashire, he studied part-time at Harris Art School from 1935 to 1939. He worked throughout these years working in the decorative art department at Leyland Paint & Varnish. After war service in North Africa, Abyssinia and Europe he worked as an illustrator in London, learning etching for two terms at the Central School of Arts and Crafts and spending long hours in the National Gallery. The early Italian masters, Oskar Kokoschka whom he met in 1954, and the writings of John Berger were key influences. For a time Wood was involved in town planning, architectural drawing and model-making, including work for Lancashire County Council, Peterlee New Town and George Wimpey.

From 1955 Wood painted full-time, having a notable solo show at Beaux Arts Gallery in 1956. He described his work as a kind of social realism based on his own family experiences. As well as mixed shows at Zwemmer and Redfern Galleries and in the provinces, Wood had a solo show at Upper Grosvenor Galleries in 1964, and at Bramante Gallery, Victoria, 1968–70. Eventually Wood worked on commission for the Mathaf Gallery, spending time in Saudi Arabia, reconstructing scenes of the kingdom’s history and the story of Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud. He carried out extensive commissions for the writer Wolf Mankowitz and sold to clients in the entertainment world, including Leslie Bricusse, John Mills, Bryan Forbes and Charlton Heston.