Clifford Fishwick combined his painting with a busy career teaching at Exeter College of Art. In many ways his work reflects his obvious knowledge of art historical context. Earlier paintings draw on the Neo-Romantic influences of artists such as Graham Sutherland and his later work draws closer to home geographically with references to the Cornish school.

Fishwick was a member of the Newlyn Society from 1952-83 and exhibited at the Penwith Society in the 1950s – 1960s.