ARTISTIC criticism from a tramp might put some people off drawing for life.

But Josh Hughes's first disappointing likeness of a vagrant in Oxford only made him more determined and a decade on he has 10,000 caricatures to his name.

Martin Freeman, Imelda Staunton, Tony Benn and Seb Coe are just some of the famous names who have been recreated by the Oxford artist's pen.

He has also produced a range of other works, some of which are on display at the George Street Social cafe in New Inn Hall Street until the end of the month.

But it was a twist of fate which led to him becoming perhaps one of Britain's most prolific caricaturists.

The 28-year-old said: "I went to Oxpens college and I was outside having a break and a tramp asked me to draw him.

"When I finished he told me it was awful and it gave me such a desire to prove him wrong that it set me onto 10 years of doing caricatures.

"Caricatures are really fascinating and I enjoy drawing to capture someone's essence in just a few strokes.

"It is lovely to see your personality through somebody else's eyes.

"It is about the experience of meeting someone and giving them a picture of themselves they will take home and show their friends and family.

"I drew a caricature once just after a guy proposed to his fiancee and I captured that moment that will last a lifetime."

The son of a doctor of biblical studies and Hebrew at St John's College said he grew up in and out of Oxford University colleges and has drawn caricatures in pubs across the city including the Turf Tavern and the King's Arms, giving him a feel for many different aspects of the city and its people.

He has also drawn for Swedish furniture companies and was once dragged off the street and into an Ann Summers party to show off his artistic skills.

He said: "A caricature is not just about a person, it is about all the elements of something.

"All the greatest artists in history have been caricaturists in that sense. Caricatures are a really good equaliser of people, no matter how important you are."

The East Oxford man's latest exhibition at George Street Social features watercolour paintings of well-known Oxford scenes such as St John's College and the Radcliffe Camera.

He previously exhibited work in Bristol during the wave of violence that broke out in English cities in the summer of 2011.

Mr Hughes said he hoped his art helped show off Oxford to more people and create new perspectives on the city.

To find out more about his work visit joshuasquashua.com