Born in Maidstone, Kent, Goodwin was the son of a builder and one of nine siblings. Despite starting as an apprentice draper after completing his schooling, his extraordinary artistic talent became evident early on. He had the privilege of studying under the guidance of prominent Pre-Raphaelite artists, Arthur Hughes and Ford Madox Brown. In fact, the latter had the foresight to predict that Goodwin would emerge as "one of the greatest landscape painters of the age."
At a mere 15 years of age, Goodwin exhibited his first painting at the Royal Academy, marking the commencement of his illustrious artistic journey. In 1876, he achieved the status of an associate member of the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). His artistic prowess garnered the admiration of renowned art critic John Ruskin, who took him on a grand tour of Europe. During this excursion, Goodwin sketched prolifically from nature, subsequently transforming these sketches into exquisite watercolor masterpieces.
Throughout his lifetime, Goodwin traversed extensively across Britain and Europe, venturing to various corners of the world, including a notable trip to Canada in 1890, accompanied by his nephew and fellow artist, Sidney Goodwin.
Goodwin's artistic output was prolific, with a portfolio boasting over 800 remarkable works. His diverse range of landscape subjects mirrored his deep passion for travel and showcased the palpable influence of Turner, with whom he felt a profound kinship. In his later works, he ventured into experimental techniques, such as using ink over watercolor to achieve captivating atmospheric lighting effects. Furthermore, his artwork serves as a valuable historical record, offering insights into the social history of his era.