My Art History: Monstera

Life drawing from 1989 or 1990, age 17-ish. Pencil on paper (A1).

My Art History: Pointillism

Comprised of thousands of carefully placed dots, this was one of the more perverse visual acuity degeneration tortures administered at TAFE. Ink on paper, referenced from a photo. Age 17.

My Art History: Military Droid II

When drawings were progressing nicely I had an unfortunate tendency to abandon them, having already gained sufficient knowledge or satisfaction from them - hence the unfinished background in this one. Pencil on paper, age 17.

My Art History: Chrome-a-Key

Another reflection study. Based on a photo of a human hand turning a key, I think. Pencil, age 16-17.

My Art History: Chevrolet 1925 Superior K

My first commissioned work, and the most labour-intensive so far (20+ hours). It went on to win first prize in the "12-18 Years Pen or Pencil Any Subject" category, as well as overall "Best Art Exhibit" at the 1989 Bendigo Show. Pencils again, but without the ink outlines this time. Photo references used. Age 16.

My Art History: Military Assault Droid

Somehow I managed to turn a year 10 graphics project into an excuse to draw gun wielding robots of the future. My most elaborate piece of self indulgence up to this point. Pencil and fineliner on paper, age 15-16 .

My Art History: Circuit Electroniques

In 1987 I scored an airbrush for Christmas, after much begging, and soon learned the importance of selecting a painting surface that is compatible with Frisket. In this instance I spent much of my time surgically removing the film from the paper with a scalpel, the scars of which are visibly evident. Ink on paper, age 15.

My Art History: Reflections

As my drawings became increasingly polished, so did my subject matter; some logo designs on the left, including an Atari/Activision fusion, and on the right is one of several attempts at resolving reflections on a chrome head, as inspired by some mid-'80s computer animations (particularly those of Robert Abel & Associates). Pencil and fineliner on paper, age 15-16.

My Art History: The Twilight Zone

Finally, something with a date on it!  Age 14.

My Art History: Plaque Attack

A pencil and fineliner combo from around 1985-1986, no later than '87.The guy in the foreground is fending off chocolate and Lifesavers with a tube of rocket propelled toothpaste. Age 13-14.

My Art History: Egg Eye

One day in 1985 (give or take a year or two), I decided to venture out of my pencilly comfort zone and experiment with blending poster paints to create gradations. At a time when paints were still being used for covering large areas or filling in flat blocks of colour, it felt as though I had made some kind of quantum leap discovery that could propel me years ahead of the curve...

...and then I went straight back to pencils again. : Age 11-12-13...?

My Art History: Film Preproduction

Sometime around 1984 I began work on my next movie, which was going to be even more spectacular than the last one I never finished. Pictured here are the hero spaceship featuring retractable spider legs, a diabolical craft equipped with huge rotating sickles for levelling forests, a pilot, an interior and some battle scenes. Age 12-ish.

My Art History: Hubert's House

Nothing particularly noteworthy here, other than that I'm pretty sure I vaguely recall doing this in 1983 - I think. Tip: ALWAYS DATE EVERYTHING - it will save you hours of guesswork later in life. Age 10-11

My Art History: Don't Litter

A public service announcement. Age 9-10.