Born and raised in Jaipur, Rajasthan, RIyazuddin started painting at the age of 14 having been infulenced by his father Abdul Shakoor who was a highly recognised antique dealer of his time, having a great knowledge of Indian arms, textiles and miniature paintings. During his growing up years, Riyazuddin  gathered inclination towards Indian school of paintings and Pahari school of Rajput paintings.

In 1988, he started his own studio, converting western paintings of Tarot cards to Indian miniatures, this gave birth to Riyazuddin's signature style of miniature paintings .