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
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
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
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
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
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
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
I saw a sketch by @PaulHeaston of an egg box and thought I would have a go (and try and improve on the sketch I did way back in 2020 – see sketch No.1301).
Wed-6-May-2026
After the sketch-walk with UrbanSketchers Quezon City for at Parks and Wildlife, we went for snacks and chat at Gyud Food (an open air food hub) at the University of the Philippines, and I quickly sketched this.
Sun-3-May-2026