Here is the second sketch I did on our long weekend at the coast. Below the place we were staying (you have to go down a lot – and I mean a lot – of narrow steps, to get to the sea) there was this boat and jet-ski pulled up onto the hard standing. I know nothing about boats but I do love sketching them. I spent quite a bit of my time as I sketched this, chatting to a guy selling decorated blankets…it’s always nice to get a bit of feedback.
Sun-04-Sep-2022
Here is my last sketch from our holiday in El Nido. I really enjoyed drawing boats (locally those with outriggers are called Bangka) and beaches on our trip, so I decided to finish with a drawing on Corong-Corong beach. Many of these boats have been moored for a long time as tourism in El Nido has declined dramatically during the pandemic. In a few days we are about to go into another lock down, so we were really lucky to squeeze in our little holiday. Bye bye El Nido, see you again soon I hope.
Thu-29-July-2021
Here is another sketch from Las Cabañas beach – this time with an actual human being in the sketch. It’s not that I don’t draw people, it’s just that the beach was virtually deserted – due to a combination of the pandemic and the weather. Next sketch to post is not a boat or a beach!
Wed-28-July-2021
This was the third sketch I did on Sunday. After having lunch in town we came back to where we are staying and then went for a walk on Corong-Corong beach. This beach is a bit less touristy than the others we have been to – there are a lot more boats and there is a lot more trash washed up at the high tide mark. The boat in the foreground is called Nanay (which means mother). When I had finished this and the tide had gone out, we wandered among the pools and sea grass looking at starfish, sea cucumbers and crabs, while waiting for the sunset.
Sun-25-July-2021
My wife unearthed this beautifully made card (believe it or not but this wonderful 3D ship appears as you open the card) when sorting out her desk. None of us can be sure where we got it from, but I think I bought it on one of my work trips to Vietnam. My sketch doesn’t really do it justice!
Fri-16-July-2021
On Sunday, having worked most of the weekend, I finally managed to get outside and do some sketching. I took a short walk to Blue Haven Marina, plonked myself near the jetty and quickly sketched this. It was getting dark so I had to be faster than usual….and then just as I was finishing it rained. I’d normally spend more time finishing a painting so this one has a half done feel! While I was drawing someone came and had a look – which is always nice.
Sun-1-Dec-2019
On Sunday I took a long looping walk up towards the end of the island, past lots of expensive villas and new developments, and then back down the beach. I drew this sketch at the point where I couldn’t walk any further.
Sun-24-Nov-2019
Yesterday I took a break from Inktober and ended up at Turtle Cover Marina again to do some sketching. I did drive around a bit but found nothing but fancy houses on deserted coastlines, all looking like trespassers would be shot if they ventured onto the beach nearby. I had to rush to finish this sketch as it started to rain (hence the blotchy look here and there)…of course by the time I got home the rain had stopped!
Sun-13-Oct-2019
This is the second sketch I did at Turtle Creek Marina – again my location was dictated by seeking a bit of shade. For a change I took a photo of just the ink work before painting as I was thinking I would muck it up – in the end I think it looks better coloured. The boat seemed to be named Histar (can you spot the little star)…hence the title.
Sat-28-Sep-2019