I am a self taught artist, based in Sandbach, Cheshire. As a child I spent many hours drawing birds and the natural world, a passion I rediscovered one spring evening in 2019 after spotting a solitary stonechat on the Cornish coastal path. I borrowed a pencil from my wife Lynne and sat in our campervan, wine in hand, and wondered why I had ever stopped doing something I loved so much.
Using a range of mediums, including charcoal, graphite, ink and the occasional splash of paint, I aim to capture the human form, both figurative and portrait. I also sketch elements of the landscape and nature, including trees and birds, and occasionally dabble with still life.
I tend to prefer a minimalist sketchy approach, sometimes arguably incomplete, leaving the viewer to fill in the gaps. Although the idea of painting is tempting, I always return to drawing with just the occasional use of paint or pastels to add colour. I aspire to be a little more experimental and I definitely don't always want to reflect the beautiful - sometimes (as with music) I prefer things to be a little darker.
I'm inspired by the work of many artists including the likes of Frank Auerbach, Walter Sickert and Kathe Kollwitz - both their preliminary sketches in preparation for painting or drawings which are complete in themselves. I find it amazing what they can convey with just a few lines.
I share a studio with my wife Lynne and we have two adult children, Jake and Emily. When not drawing, I'm keen to be outside, whether walking, fell running, climbing or bird watching. I also have a life long passion for music which often keeps me company whilst drawing.
If you would like to commission a portrait, purchase a drawing or have any other enquiries, please do not hesitate to get in touch via my contact page. I will be happy to help.