As part of the “Drawn to Heritage” sketchwalk with Urban Sketchers Manila at the National Museum of the Philippines, I elected to sketch in the Art Deco Exhibit (titled modernity and design in the Philipines 1925-1950) and started by sketching these Ternos – the Philippine national dress for women, usually featuring huge butterfly sleeves. These mannequins were spread out in the gallery but I combined them in my sketches.
Sat-9-May-2026
A while ago I joined Urban Sketchers Manila to sketch at the National Museum of the Philippines. But before that a group of us met in Arroceros Forest Park for a warm up. We were late – even later than our usual lateness – as we (actually me) got lost trying to find somewhere to park. Instead of sketching trees I sketched this (water?) truck. At this time of year all the greenery in public places is parched.
Sat-9-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
I saw a sketch by @PaulHeaston of an egg box and thought I would have a go (and try and improve on the sketch I did way back in 2020 – see sketch No.1301).
Wed-6-May-2026
After the sketch-walk with UrbanSketchers Quezon City for at Parks and Wildlife, we went for snacks and chat at Gyud Food (an open air food hub) at the University of the Philippines, and I quickly sketched this.
Sun-3-May-2026
In this sketch (done with UskQC for at Parks and Wildlife for international urban sketchers week) I challenged myself to capture the water lilies on the lagoon. It was very difficult as the wind kept on changing the ripples and reflections. The strange thing is that the sketch even makes sense upside down!
Sun-3-May-2026
Here are the first two of my sketches done at Parks and Wildlife with UskQC for international urban sketchers week. I started with a postcard exchange sketch (which is going to @UrbanSketchersAsheville), then I had a go at sketching a group of cos players. They were all wearing black shorts with a black top with a white tie. All had brightly coloured hair and a few held a bow and arrow or a scythe. Any anyone tell me the character based on that description (not my sketch which was done very quickly)?
Sun-3-May-2026
I’ve drawn bananas so many times that I’ve lost count – however it’s always good practice. These are saba (or plantain or cooking bananas) – and are supposedly healthier than common dessert bananas because of their high resistant starch content. We bought these to cook them green…and they were surprisingly delicious – but I also like to eat them ripe.
Sat-2-May-2026
I did this sketch when we had lunch @WabiDashSabi Noodle House and Ikigai Kakigori Cafe in Makati Cinema Square. I have sketched here before (see sketch No.1786) – they have fantastic food and thank goodness it is still very popular (I think also due to the yummy Kakigori shaved ice desert). My wife was having a meeting while I sketched this and several people went in and out, including one woman who only seemed to be there to charge her phone!
Fri-1-May-2026