I bought these on my first fruit/wet market shop after getting back from the UK (I’ve got to say it’s so much nicer to shop for fruit and veggies at a real market rather than a supermarket). These lanzones (which are also called langsat and grow on a type of mahogany tree) were big, fat and juicy. According to one website they are anti-inflammatory and are even known to be anti-malarial…I’m not sure if I believe all that, I just like the taste!
Tue-29-Sep-2026
This sketch was done on a Sunday out when we visited the Angono–Binangonan Petroglyphs (the oldest known works of art in the Philippines, with figures carved into volcanic rock), where the staff of the National Museum really knows his stuff and gave us some fascinating background information. After this we had breakfast at the “Over the Top Café” – where I had sickly sweet pancakes and a slice of cake (which they gave us because it was their anniversary). After this we went to visit the Blanco Family Museum (which showcases the work of Jose ‘Pitok’ Blanco, his 7 children and his wife, all of whom were artists) and the house/studio of Carlos “Botong” Francisco (a pioneering Filipino modernist painter and muralist), in Angono. In the last one we were honoured to get a little tour by his grandson, artist Carlos “Totong” Francisco II.
Sun-27-Sep-2026
After getting overheated in the courtyard of San Augustin we went into their little coffee shop to cool down in the AC and chat. Naturally, as we chatted, we sketched – my sketch is of some random guy enjoying his coke. My last sketch at Manila Art Sihan was a very quick one done in the tented event space of some dancers getting ready to perform on stage. I left this sketch at the Urban Sketchers Manila booth and told the dancers they could come and collect it if they wanted.
Sat-26-Sep-2026
Here is the second sketch I did of San Augustin done with Urban Sketchers Manila at the Manila Art Sihan event last month. I was surrounded by viewers as I sketched this, which is always fun.
Sat-26-Sep-2026
After lunch with some Urban Sketchers Manila friends at Mitre (a rather expensive restaurant right next to San Augustin), we sat in front of the church and sketched. I’ve drawn here multiple times before of course – see sketch No.84-2617, when I noted that this is the oldest stone church in the Philippines.
Sat-26-Sep-2026
This is the first sketch I did when we joined Urban Sketchers Manila for the Manila Art Sihan event last month. When we arrived in Intramuros at Foro de Manila we found it so noisy in the tented event space, that we went to the Plazuela de Santa Isobel instead, to sketch this memorial sculpture by Peter de Guzman. This depicts the horror of the battle to liberate Manila in 1945. The write up on the panels nearby make for some really sombre reading – but sadly very few of the hundreds of students queuing up for group photos, seemed interested in reading any of the history. You can read more about it here.
Sat-26-Sep-2026
I was still suffering from jet lag when I sketched this when I got back to the Philippines – so I chose to do a simple sketch of the paints I bought in Jacksons – this was all I could manage. I restrained myself and bought only paint I actually need (replacing stuff that has run out).
Wed-23-Sep-2026
I think Gatwick is one of the most boring airports in the world. Even getting from the security to the departure area is a maze of perfumeries and then the departure area is like sitting in a shopping mall – without a window in sight. Then they only announce the gate an hour before the flight leaves, and you rush to the gate… to find you have to sit in an even more poky and overcrowded space. At least I managed to amuse myself by sketching this guy.
Sun-20-Sep-2026
I sketched this one on my last day in the UK (yes it was a very brief stopover). After packing my bags my daughters and I went for a walk in Hove Park which I have never been to before. Apparently the park covers about 40 acres and has lots of sports and play facilities – people are so lucky to have this. They also have a nice little cafe where we had a coffee and snack – and where I sketched this….very quickly!
Sun-20-Sep-2026