Fitton was born in Oldham, Lancashire on the 11th February. The colourful characters that populated this bustling mill-town were seminal in the development of his caricature-like style of painting during his career as an artist. Fitton was educated at boarding school but left at the age of fourteen with a report from the headmaster that said Fitton 'won't be good at anything - that is except drawing.'
Fitton studied at Manchester School of Art as a non-fee paying student, where he studied for six years. He studied alongside and became good friends with L. S. Lowry. In 1925, after moving to London, Fitton spent his evenings studying at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Southampton Row.
Fitton worked as a freelance illustrator for several years until taking a permanent position with the C. Vernons Advertising agency, where he was later promoted to Art Director. His best known work was produced for London Transport.
Fitton began painting after moving to Dulwich in 1928. The following year, he became a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Fitton's first solo show was held at the Arthur Tooth and Sons gallery in 1933 and was a considerable success.
Fitton's bold use of colour and candid treatment of scenes of human life give his paintings an immediacy that is still so appealing to audiences today.