On this day, wondering what to draw, I just took something out of the fridge. This is chard or snow cabbage – which we often use as a replacement for spinach. In the Philippines it is called “pechay”. I sketched the same thing in 2020 (see sketch No.1547).
Fri-22-May-2026
These are seed pods from the Albizia Lebbeck tree or “woman’s tongue tree”, that I picked up when we were at Manila Memorial Park. The seed pods rattle loudly in the wind and the continuous rustling sound is where the reference to a woman’s tongue comes from. This is what early botanists thought anyway – but personally I find this a bit sexist and derogatory.
Wed-20-May-2026
I have sketched these juggling balls before (see Sketch No.2144 which I did in 2022). They are looking a bit tired these days, so my wife washed them…oops! Afterwards the homemade ones with actual beans in them all swelled up and got a bit smelly!
Tue-19-May-2026
We used to have a Bhutanese signing bowl, which we bought when we lived there, but it broke. My wife got this one recently for Christmas. These bowls are traditionally used in meditation and produce a lovely sound when struck or rubbed (around the rim) with the small wooden mallet.
Mon-18-May-2026
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
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
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 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