Often the simplest things are most satisfying to sketch. I enjoyed getting the texture of the chopping board in this one and the contrast with the colour of the cup.
Fri-15-May-2026
120-3492 – Just a cup
120-3491 – Dinner tomorrow
When I am a bit stuck for something to draw (especially when I am so busy with work that I can’t sketch during the day), I often open the fridge and take out some veggies. Soon after I sketched this okra we cooked it with yoghurt to go with dal and rice.
Thu-14-May-2026
120-3490 – My three favourite brushes
Here is a late night sketch going back to a simple subject that I love to sketch (and collect of course)…art materials! These are my three favourite brushes: a Rosemary and Co. dagger travel brush, a Winsor & Newton squirrel mop brush and a (new) Faber-Castell water brush.
Wed-13-May-2026
120-3489 – Capiz candle holder
For me it is often a mistake to draw with a pencil first (I prefer to go straight into using ink) – I did that for this sketch which I think came out stiff and not very satisfactory. Well, never mind, not all sketches work…on to the next one!
Tue-12-May-2026
120-3488 – Ear time at Clinica Manila
I did this sketch while I was waiting for the doctor, when we went to the clinic to get my ears syringed out again. I used the cheap coloured pencils I had been given at the sketchwalk at the National Museum, plus a little bit of ink. This helped me relax a bit as my blocked ears were really stressing me out (update…since I sketched this all is good with my ears!).
Sun-10-May-2026
120-3487 – Cup of tea?
After sketching all those dresses, at the Art Deco Exhibit at the National Museum with Urban Sketchers Manila, I had 20 minutes left before the latag (where we share our sketches). So I opted to do the ink work for this (adding the colour at home). This is a European tea service set (Circa 1929 to 1933) made by Chabrol and Poirer – a French porcelain manufacturer who were based in Limoges. With this sketch I am starting a new sketchbook made with Cass Art hot pressed watercolour paper.
Sat-9-May-2026
119-3485-6 – The terno and the modern woman
As part of the “Drawn to Heritage” sketchwalk with Urban Sketchers Manila at the National Museum of the Philippines, I elected to sketch in the Art Deco Exhibit (titled modernity and design in the Philipines 1925-1950) and started by sketching these Ternos – the Philippine national dress for women, usually featuring huge butterfly sleeves. These mannequins were spread out in the gallery but I combined them in my sketches.
Sat-9-May-2026
119-3484 – Truck at the park
A while ago I joined Urban Sketchers Manila to sketch at the National Museum of the Philippines. But before that a group of us met in Arroceros Forest Park for a warm up. We were late – even later than our usual lateness – as we (actually me) got lost trying to find somewhere to park. Instead of sketching trees I sketched this (water?) truck. At this time of year all the greenery in public places is parched.
Sat-9-May-2026
119-3483 – Rounded corners punch
I decided to try and up my game a little on my sketchbook making and at the suggestion of a friend bought this punch. It works quite nicely and now my sketchbooks look slightly more professional. Next I might try an elastic band to keep them closed and headbands which are fixed to the spine.
Fri-8-May-2026