Urban Sketch

121-3524 – Thinking of David

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I was thinking of David Hockney when I went for a walk to get some exercise. In this part of Acacia Estates, where we live, it looks like DMCI the developers are planning to build even more housing. As soon as I saw this digger (in my favourite colour) I thought I should sketch it. I cleaned by TWSBI pen to do this one but the ink still seemed to come out grey!

I have been a fan of David Hockney’s work since I was a teenager – I remember my school art teacher took us to a showing of “A Bigger Splash” a 1973 biographical documentary film about his breakup with his then-partner Peter Schlesinger. I have followed his work ever since then….so sad that he passed away, but what a legacy he has left!

Sat-13-Jun-2026

121-3523 – Invasion

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According to a couple of Google image searches this is a Lanzones (Lansium Domesticum) tree – a type of mahogany tree. Lanzones fruits are round like large grapes, but with a tough skin and juicy segments inside. It appeared on our balcony, out of nowhere a few years ago, then killed off the bamboo that use to grow in the same pot, and is now huge. Apparently fruit eating birds (like a Bulbul) probably ate the fruit from a nearby tree or garbage bin, then perched on our railing and crapped out the seeds into the pot! I pruned it a few days after this sketch to make it a bit more manageable (lopping the crown completely off)…by some miracle I didn’t kill it, and it is now starting to grow new shoots below where I cut off the trunk.

Fri-12-Jun-2026

121-3520 – 1934 Cadillac V16

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After lunch, on this day, some of us went to the Presidential Car Museum (for the nth time). This car was used by President Manuel Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur. A few visitors to the museum seemed more interested with my sketching than looking at the cars…someone commented that it was so nice to see elders getting out and enjoying their passion…that made me feel really old!

Sun-7-Jun-2026

121-3515-19 – People sketching at the skate park

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Intensely staring at his phone

I decided to just do quick sketches of people when I joined @UskQuezonCity for our sketch-walk. The first one of three separate people was done when I arrived early and went to get coffee. In the skate park perhaps I should have tried more to capture the action?

At the skate-park

Anyway, the last one was done from a shady spot below the park, of the sketchers using umbrellas to keep the sun off – it was roasting hot with all the heat radiating off the concrete.

Discussing the grind
More hanging around
Umbrellas

Sun-7-Jun-2026

121-3511 – Haircut

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Here is a quick sketch done while my wife had her hair cut at the market when we were out doing our weekly veggies shop. I did most of this on the spot but added a bit more detail and more colour at home. I have sketched here before (see No.110-3279 …exactly the same title!). I had to be quick again, but at least this time I didn’t hesitate to start.

Sun-31-May-2026

121-3510 – Your taxi will arrive in nine minutes

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After our Escolta sketch-walk latag (throw down), I visited the Sketchbook Project PH at the First United Building, put on by @1372designs. The concept was that artists would fill in a sketchbooks with doodles, journaling and painting (over a period of 6 months I think?), culminating in an exhibition where visitors could flip through dozens of sketchbooks – it was fascinating and really interesting to see the wide variety of styles and approaches. Afterwards I arranged for a taxi home and while I waited I had just enough time, standing on the street corner, to sketch Santa Cruz Church.

Sat-30-May-2026

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