Here is another attempt at a portrait sketch – this time of Ilhan Omar who is being persecuted by Trump because of her vocal opposition and progressive views. Even Obama said it’s a transparent effort to intimidate a law abiding political opponent. The day I sketched this I read that she was even afraid to stay in her home because of death threats.
Fri-23-Oct-2026
Here are the next two drawings I did in my little sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project PH with @1372DESIGNS / @_STUDIO1372. These are of a pinecone I picked up on a hike in Montenegro and a quick sketch done when we had lunch at our favourite eatery, Wabi-Sabi in Makati Cinema/Central Square.
Wed-21 & Sun-25-Oct-2026
On this day we hiked up an inactive volcano through a forest reserve administered by UP Los Baños. The mountain has a 1,090 m elevation and the hike up was fine, apart from the occasional leech latching on. I sketched this at the top where it was misty and very damp…the colours all washed out with the moisture in the air and I could have added more later, but thought I quite liked the look.
By the time we hiked down hoards of other (much younger) hikers had been up and down the trail and with the rainforest dampness and drizzly rain, the trail was super-muddy and very slippery. The soles of my wife’s boots came off and we were plastered in mud from a few minor tumbles and knackered by the time we made it back. We needed several days of groaning and aches to recover afterwards!
Sun-18-Oct-2026
Here are the last two sketches I did with @usk_manila at @DesignWeekPH. The first one is of people watching a movie called “cleaners”, which I partly watched too. Wikipedia describes the film as an “experimental adult animated coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Glenn Barit” and apparently it has a cult following. What I saw of it looked really interesting.
The second sketch is of the fruit at the Made Market Ready stand, this project showcased how design interventions can elevate homegrown micro, small, and medium enterprises…but I just sketched the veggies and coconuts!
Sat-17-Oct-2026
Here is the second sketch I did when I joined @usk_manila for @DesignWeekPH. The event was held at the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls in Pasay City, and was focussed on making design accessible to everyone using the theme #SamaAll (which means “all included”). I sketched this from the space outside the exhibition hall where Urban Sketchers Manila had it’s little booth. This building is Sunset View towers – on google maps it appears to be a nice clean creamy yellow colour, but now due to urban pollution it looks really gloomy.
Sat-17-Oct-2026
Here is the first sketch I did when I joined @usk_manila for @DesignWeekPH. I decided to meet up with fellow sketchers Ray and @maggielikestodraw at the Harbour Square first…thinking (mistakenly) that it was a short walk to the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls in Pasay City where design week took place. I’ve sketched in this spot several times before (see Sketch No.82-2586).
Sat-17-Oct-2026
Here are the next two drawings I did in my little sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project PH with @1372DESIGNS / @_STUDIO1372. These are of a bag clip that was laying on our worktop, plus a tub of Soyfresh milk.
Thu-15 & Tue-20-Oct-2026
This used to belong to my parents, it was then passed on to my daughter and then to me. I’m glad to finally get it because it’s the best one I’ve had – nice and sharp and with some big chunky holes!
Wed-14-Oct-2026
Here is a little practice at portraits – done from a photograph I found on LinkedIn. This is Navi Pillay who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote peace and international law. She chaired a UN commission which concluded that Israel was responsible for Genocide in Gaza.
Tue-13-Oct-2026