I missed several days of sketching because I was busy making new sketchbooks, in preparation for some travel. This sketch is of two heavy mortar and pestles we have, that frankly only get used to press my sketchbook covers! One came from our time in Cambodia…I have no idea what stone it is made from. The other is a marble one from Romblon.
Sat-10-May-2025
I did this sketch after we had visited Manila Memorial Park on Labour Day, when we stopped to get some breakfast. Unsurprisingly (as Mang Inasal’s speciality is their Chicken Inasal, a grilled chicken dish marinated in a blend of spices and served with unlimited rice) there was little vegetarian food for me to eat, so I had to make do with deep fried spring rolls. Sketching all these tables and chairs was a challenge I couldn’t resist.
Thu-1-May-2025
Here is some more people sketching done at the Medical Center Taguig – this time for me to get my ears unblocked. Hospital waiting areas are great spots to surreptitiously draw people … especially when you have to wait for ages.
Wed-30-Apr-2025
Here is the first sketch at Dia Del Libro (World Book Day) with #UskMnl in Ayala Triangle Gardens. I couldn’t quite get the dappled light on the tent as I wanted to. It was really hot that day, so after sketching this we went to cool off in a nearby food hall and I had “mais and banana kon-yelo” (which means corn with ice in Spanish – a shaved ice desert made with corn kernels, sugar and milk – but in this case with added banana) at Bacolod Chicken Inasal – yummy!
Sat-26-Apr-2025
These three sketches were done when I went with my wife while she had various scans and checkups on the weekend. As always this involves a lot of waiting around in corridors (I particularly disliked the slippery metal chairs in Manila Med because I couldn’t slouch without sliding off the chair). The first was done when we went to get an ultrasound and the other two were done waiting in Manila Med.
After sketching people, I decided to look down and sketch feet, so that people wouldn’t wonder who this weirdo was who kept staring at them and scribbling in his book.
Sat-5-Apr-2025
Here are a couple of sketches I did while my wife was visiting Manila Med hospital for a check up. I did the first one in the waiting area and the second one in the little corner park opposite the hospital when I went downstairs for a cup of coffee. I am sometimes asked if people notice me when I sketch or what to do if they see me. Generally I try not to stare but to glance only – and if they do notice me I make a point of looking away and sketching another part of the drawing. I also never hide what I am doing as that makes it seem too surreptitious.
Sat-15-Mar-2025
Here is a sketch I did when my wife went to have a health consultation – we waited for ages only to find out that she needed to see another type of doctor. I always find it odd when you are expected to know what kind of specialist to see! At least I managed to do this sketch in their brightly coloured lobby.
Thu-6-Mar-2025
On Sunday 2 March, we decided to go out into the communal garden for a change and do a sketch – but somehow this ended up looking a lot gloomier than it really is. I’ve sketched that big tree a couple of times before – the roots are really coming out of the ground now and there is always a danger it will topple over in a typhoon.
Sun-2-Mar-2025
This sketch was done at Shakey’s down the road from where we live. We set out to drive to Wabi-Sabi Noodle House in Makati, but the traffic was appallingly bad (worse than the usual dreadful conditions), so we just stopped at the nearest eatery. For desert I ate the brownie that is featured in this poster…it was supposed to have salted caramel on it but I think they just sprinkle (far to much) salt on some syrup!
Thu-27-Feb-2025