The essence of place…….
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
Oxford
Oxford Spires from South Park | Pastel, pigment and conté on paper | 75x55cm | Sold
Rad Cam 11 | Pastel and pigment on paper | 100x70cm | Sold
“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 Spires from South Park III | Pastel and conté on antique paper | 20x17cm | Available
Merton College, Oxford | Pastel and pigment on paper | 75x55cm | Available
“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……….”
Oxford Spires (from South Park) | Pastel and conté on antique paper | 20x17cm | Available
Rad Cam and St Mary’s | Conté, pastel and pigment on paper | 75x55cm | Sold
Eagle and Child, St Giles | Pastel and pigment on paper | 75x55cm | Sold
Lamb & Flag, St Giles | Pastel and pigment on paper | 75x55cm | Available
Rad Cam 10 | Pastel and rainwater on paper | 100x70cm | Sold
Rad Cam 10 | Pastel and pigment on paper | 100x70cm | Sold
Rad Cam 32 | Pastel and pigment on paper | 110x75cm | Available
Florence
Piazza Michelangelo | Pastel, sanguine and Italian ink on paper | 140x60cm | Available
Florence skyline | Charcoal, pastel, conté and pigment on paper | 150x120cm | Sold
London
Westminster #43 | Pastel, conté and pigment on paper | 110x75cm | Available
Westminster #44 | Pastel, conté and pigment on paper | 110x75cm | Available
Westminster #41 | Pastel and pigment on paper | 110x38cm | Available
Kenilworth Castle
Kenilworth Castle | Sanguine, pencil and pigment on paper | 80x60cm | Available
Rome
Colosseum | Pastel and pigment on paper | 100x70cm | Sold
Morning sky over Rome | Pastel, pencil and pigment on paper | 110x40cm | Available
Via dei Imperiari | Pastel, conté and pigment on paper | 75x55cm | Sold
Bath
Royal Crescent | Pastel and pigment on paper | 60x45cm | Available
Drawing Bath Abbey