I am trying to get into the habit of getting up earlier and sketching in the morning before I go to work (this is one area where jet lag helps) – it’s lighter (it’s darkening by the time I get home from work) and I have more energy. This one was done from my veranda – what a magnificent tree this is.
Fri-Nov-15-2019
This is my bedroom window – thick greenery and trees everywhere outside, pressed right up against the glass. When I started this I was thinking only of the trees – then I realised there are bars on the window…to keep me from getting out or people from getting in?
Thu-3-Oct-2019
On our last Sunday in the UK we visited the Beth Chatto gardens – apparently she was an award winning gardener, who got 10 gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show in the 70s and 80s. While my family went around I sat on a bench and did this sketch. My sister described the fir tree in the centre as an amorphous blob!
Sun-18-Aug-2019
Here is a quick sketch I did one afternoon after I got home from work. The apartment I am renting is on a slight hill and this is the view I have. In comparison to home (the Philippines), the Turks and Caicos Islands are a bit dry and vegetation tends to be of the drought resistant low brush type – apart from palm trees like this which seem to grow anywhere!
Thu-2-May-2019
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – there really are some spectacular trees on the streets in Metro Manila. This one is outside the SM Center (a mall) in Pasig – of which Ortigas is part. I found a spot on a wall half in, half out of the sun and the bushes to draw this. A lot of the time I was grumbling to myself as procession of large cars decided that the perfect place to wait to pick someone up was right in front of me!
Mon-25-Feb-2019
On Wednesday my Tagalog lesson was cancelled so I had a few minutes spare before my daughter was ready to head off to her gymnastics session. Naturally I started a sketch (which I finished off later at home). This lovely tree is in the play area at the school – most of the greenery is actually other trees in the background.
Wed-13-Feb-2019
The developers of Acacia Estates (DMCI) where we live, may be frantically building more and more condos and making the area seriously overcrowded (traffic is now a nightmare just to get out onto the main road), but at least they plant a lot of trees. It’s the climate too I guess – even in a mega-city like Metro Manila trees seem to thrive. The trees makes a walk along the main road in the development quite pleasant (if it wasn’t for the noisy trucks and cars) and cover up the ugly supermarket building!
Thu-31-Jan-2019
It was looking miserable and dank outside the other morning. I wanted to sketch outside during this trip but so far I haven’t braved the cold – I’m not used to it. This was the closest I could get – the view from my parents kitchen window. Despite it being grey outside my sketch came out really cheery looking!
Wed-28-Nov-2018
It was looking miserable and dank outside the other morning. I wanted to sketch outside during this trip but so far I haven’t braved the cold – I’m not used to it. This was the closest I could get – the view from my parents kitchen window. Despite it being grey outside my sketch came out really cheery looking!
Wed-28-Nov-2018