That's some pretty fantastic work from a technical aspect, though it seems he could benefit from branching out a bit. Most of his work right now seems to be grounded in the Liverpoolian pub/workers quarter milieu and the human condition of those living there specifically. The works elicit feelings of dashed hopes and stagnation. I don't know how old he is but it looks he might benefit from doing some hiking around other places not so... British.
Thanks for the critique I appreciate your honesty. His work is bleak and I think that's just a condition of his environment like you suggest. His work reminds me of the Ashcan artists who moved away from the pleasant view of US and produced a truer documentary of contemporary America as they lived it. I'm no expert by the way, it's just that his work reminds me of that school of art.
His art IS driven by the dashed hopes of others and the lack of opportunity and it might be hard to steer him away from this viewpoint as he is in his forties. However, he is willing to produce any work for a fee.
I'll feedback to him, maybe it would be good for his portfolio to have the odd carving of a dolphin or other lighter material.
I appreciate your constructive criticism.