Robert, 2012

This is a drawing of Robert Smith, the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter in The Cure. For some time now I've always looked up to Robert Smith and one of my main life goals is to make a decent drawing of him - or several. First I sketched it out in pencil, then went over it in black and red pen. I would say this is one of my favourite things I've ever drawn, mostly because I persevered with it and created something to be proud of.

Cats, 2012

This drawing was made sometime in the spring of 2012. I used a close-up photograph of my cat Ozzy as a reference, and I feel that it's the most truthful thing I've ever made. Unfortunately other drawings can be visibly seen through the paper.

Dear God, I Hate Myself, 2012

This is a self portrait done in March 2012 entirely using a black pen, and the text comes from the Xiu Xiu song 'Dear God, I Hate Myself'. At this point in my life I'd completely given up trying to fight my depression, and I felt like I was spiralling further into it day by day no matter what I did. It's not supposed to be a flattering drawing.

Goo, 2012

This drawing was made in February 2012 and is inspired by the Sonic Youth song 'My Friend Goo'. I had quite a difficult time getting the anatomy right, particularly on the legs, though I think I managed to do a good job in the end. I never usually colour anything in, so this is a first.

Siouxsie, 2012

I just really love Siouxsie and the Banshees okay

Support the strike, 2011

I can't remember exactly when I drew this picture, but it must have been during November or December 2011. Politically I have always considered myself as someone who leans to the left, and I'd say this is my first attempt at a political cartoon. It does seem a bit entry level, but it's the best I can do as my interest in politics fluctuates.

Tentaclefield, 2011

This is just a drawing of Garfield with a tentacle for an arm, and that's all there is to it.

Clouds, 2011

I don't work with many other media besides sketching and collage, so I usually never paint anything. This painting was made when my depression was particularly bad, and I was trying to depict a cloudy sky at night. Unfortunately, I don't know how to turn off the flash on the camera I used to take this picture of a picture, so the photo doesn't really do it much justice. I wasn't particularly pleased with this painting at the time anyway.

Bed, 2011

This drawing is of a bed in the college sickbay where I would often go to sleep between September and October 2011 before I simply stopped going there and settled for the 'quiet area' situated in the art room, as described within the image. I drew this picture as part of a series of drawings that I made just to be allowed to go to a Manic Street Preachers signing on the 31st of October the same year.

Tired, 2011

This picture was drawn sometime in October 2011 at the height of my depression. At the time I - and many others - thought it was one of my best works, but when I look at it now I can see a lot in this picture that needs improving.

Logos, 2011

Cat, 2011

This was drawn sometime in October 2011 as a way to practice drawing cats. I'm really pleased with the way this turned out.

Hook-handed girl, 2011

This drawing was made in September 2011 as a practice in human anatomy. Because I couldn't work out how to draw the girl's right hand I simply gave her a hook for a hand. Overall I'm quite pleased how this turned out and I hope I can draw the human form as well as I have here in the future.

Simon, 2011

This piece came about after I drew a picture of Simon Gallup, the bassist in The Cure, in a Maths session. I was particualrly pleased with it at the time and decided to put it in my sketchbook and glue down some fabric and glitter around it. It's kind of a mess now I look back at it.

Ideal me, 2011

I drew this picture sometime in October 2011 during a period of dissatisfaction with my being. I suffer from poor self-image very frequently and have done for several years, to the extent that I sometimes think I would be a lot happier with myself if I looked like someone else. Also detailed within this drawing are my fascination with goth and deathrock culture, my gender identity issues and my love for The Cure.

Richey, 2011

This is a drawing of Richey Edwards, former guitarist and principal songwriter of the Manic Street Preachers. In the band's early days he gained notoriety for carving the legend '4REAL' into his arm during an interview with Steve Lamacq in 1991, and from then on he was considered to be the main spokesman of the band along with bassist Nicky Wire. He also struggled with depression, self-harm and anorexia, and was very outspoken and honest about it in interviews. Since his disappearance in February 1995 he has gained a sort of cult status amongst Manics fans and music aficionados alike.
This drawing was made in October 2011 during a day off college, which I spent by going to town and buying an issue of the NME which had the Manic Street Preachers on the cover. At one point I sat down in McDonalds and started drawing this picture, using images of Richey as references.