I have been drawing Oxford’s buildings for over 20 years. My early exploratory drawings of the Radcliffe Camera  were central to my progression in the practice of ‘seeing’ and ‘drawing’.  Equipped with a wooden easel I drew this single building over a hundred times over a period of a year. It was this repetitive observation that conditioned my approach to drawing, and which has stayed with me to this day.

Since these times, I have developed a portfolio of drawings in places such as London, Bath and Rome, always focusing on specific views and immersing myself in the subject. The feel of the work varies according to the subject in hand, from the use of deep black pigment to portray the drama and weight of the Colosseum, to the light pastel pieces of the Oxford and Florence skylines.

Link to a short film by Ben Johnston for Exscientia in 2017 - www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f6DGILtipk

“The University and city buildings offer endless drawing potential. Oxford has become a home of a different kind over time, the lines and curves of the buildings are etched into my consciousness, and a sense of what they convey remains with me.”

Oxford

“The pure form, the simple rhythm of spaces between doors and windows, and the disappearing curves of the Radcliffe Camera are great to sketch; but more than just sketch it, I wanted to discover it, discover what it makes me feel and to translate that in my work……….”

Edinburgh

London

Bath

Bristol

Cornwall

Rome

Kenilworth Castle, Worcestershire