121-3509 – Grand Cafe 1919

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After roasting in the sun for the last sketch Reuel and I (on the advice of a fellow sketcher) went to this cafe to cool down. It’s pretty fancy but we had a nice coffee and a massive chunk of cheesecake. The building was built in 1922, designed by G. H. Hayward and use to house the Hong Kong and Shanghai bank (and even the British Embassy). From what I could find online the recent restoration focussed on retaining the facade, iron work and windows etc. but put in a modern interior.

Sat-30-May-2026

120-3507-8 – Breakfast at McDonald’s and MacArthur Bridge

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Breakfast at McDonald’s

After sketching at the end of Escolta Street we went for breakfast (I was surprised to be able to have a egg sandwich as usually my only choice is pancakes). These guys could see I was sketching them – or at least the security guard (yes, there is a security guard in McDonalds – at least he wasn’t armed) told them I was. I showed them afterwards and they smiled but were not interested. Fair enough – I do think the colours are a bit washed out.

MacArthur Bridge

Afterwards I sketched the rather nondescript MacArthur (named after General Douglas MacArthur) bridge from nearby the Escolta River Ferry terminal. The FEATI (Far Eastern Air Transport Incorporated) university is in the background.

Sat-30-May-2026

120-3506 – Regina building

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This is the first of my sketches done when my friend (@the_uban_sketcher) and I met up in Escolta (in Binondo, old Manila). We were half-joining the Supernova sketch tour with UAP (@uapgmanila) and Usk Manila (@usk_manila) – but only for the latag (throw-down) because we didn’t sign up for the tour. This is the Regina Building – which according to Wikipedia used to be known as the Roxas building and was built in 1915. It was originally design by Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of the famous painter Juan Luna).

Sat-30-May-2026

120-3505 – Too much of a (not so good) thing

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On this day I reached “peak pizza”, which I never thought I would do. We bought two-for-one family sized pizzas from Domino’s but these two slices were left after several days of eating them. So I discovered that you can have too much pizza – and these particular ones weren’t actually that great (and were even delivered a bit late). The veggie one was not very cheesy and was kind of soggy!

Fri-29-May-2026

120-3504 – Corner of the room

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So many of my “evening” or “I can’t get out of the house during day (due to the heat and work)” sketches, have been objects. So I thought this with one I would go back to an interior sketch. Plus I went back to using my Lamy. My Sailor pen is great for many (almost all) my sketching subjects, but is best for urban sketches and figure drawing.

Thu-28-May-2026

120-3503 – Waiting for glue

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I did this sketch the day before I had some new (white) bookbinding glue delivered. After my last fuzzy sketch I decided to do this one with my TWSBI pen (which seems to be a little blocked with noodler’s black ink).

Tue-26-May-2026

120-3502 – Fuzzy scissors

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I was just keeping my eye in with this sketch but was not really concentrating. I also realised that I have sketched almost exactly the same thing before (see sketch No.78-2471) …when I think I did a better job! Somehow this sketch has come out rather fuzzy.

Mon-25-May-2026

120-3501 – Basketball and Pagoda

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When I am out sketching I always look for contrast – in colour and/or subject. After sketching inside the pagoda we found a spot outside (barely in the shade) and this view caught my interest. The pagoda is in a very crowded part of the city and is surrounded by residential areas (and concrete) – though there used to be a garden around it. I think this view captures more what it is really like, rather than a more romanticised perspective.

Sat-23-May-2026

120-3499-500 – Breakfast first at Ocampo Pagoda

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Breakfast first

Here are my first two sketches done at the Ocampo Pagoda Mansion in Quiapo, Manila with Urban Sketchers Manila. The Pagoda was build between 1936 and 1941 and was used a bomb shelter during World War II. Apparently it is not generally open to the public so we were lucky to be allowed in to sketch. My first sketch was done in the cafeteria in front, as we arrived early enough to have breakfast before we got a tour.

Ocampo Pagoda

The second sketch is of a decorative (concrete) finial topping a balustrade. We sat on a balcony at the front, after a tour round the pagoda – and even though this spot was supposed to be the coolest/breeziest, it was still roasting hot. My weather app told me it was “feels like” 38 degrees (Celsius) that day.

Sat-23-May-2026