Frank Paton was born at Gravesend in Kent, and spent most of his working life between London and Kent. He established himself as an animal and genre painter, and his paintings are characterised by both their great attention to detail and their humorous content.

Many of Frank Paton's paintings were subsequently engraved and amongst these engravings were a series of etchings surrounded by humorous vignettes, illustrating sporting or social preoccupations. Many of his animal portraits were also engraved.

Paton was a family man, and was keen to teach his children to follow in his footsteps as an artist. His son painted still life and interior scenes.

Frank Paton was a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy.