This is the first sketch I did on a little trip out of town for lunch at ZenZen Japanese Food Hall and Cafe in Alfonso, Cavite. We arrived early so had a coffee first and I sketched this view of little bridges, lots of greenery and coy ponds. I don’t usually give up on a sketch, but my first attempt at this scene was abandoned as I got the placement of the tables and curve of the bridge railings all wrong.
Sun-12-Nov-2023
This is the last sketch I did at the #UskManila sketch-walk at the Mall of Asia (MOA), when we joined the commemoration of the 256th founding anniversary of the Philippine Postal Service. The event took place in the MOA Music Hall where, at one end, there is brightly coloured text on hoardings. Whenever I here the phrase “this must be the place”, I think of the Laurie Anderson song “Big science”…one of my favourites.
Wed-15-Nov-2023
This sketch (that has been waiting in my sketchbook for a while, for me to finish it) was done when we made a pit-stop at the Wheatberry Cafe before going home, after paying our respects at the wake of a friend. Making such a stop is a Filipino superstition called “Pagpag” – the idea being it would confuse any spirits who are trying to make their way home with you. It was also an opportunity for a treat (a mocha frost with lots of cream) and a cheese roll, also loaded with sugar. You can’t eat healthily all the time. In moderation a sugar overload is fine?
Mon-13-Oct-2023
This is the second sketch I did at the #UskManila sketch-walk at the Mall of Asia (MOA), a couple of days ago, as part of the commemoration of the 256th founding anniversary of the Philippine Postal Service. The exhibit included what appears to be some items that survived the fire that destroyed the Manila Central Post Office last May – hence the typewriter and old post box that I sketched.
Wed-15-Nov-2023
Today I joined #UskManila for a sketch-walk at the Mall of Asia (MOA), as we were participating in the Philippine Postal Corporation’s commemoration of the 256th founding anniversary of the establishment of the Philippine Postal Service. The event took place over three days (and included an exhibition of some of the group’s sketches done at the Manila Central Post office, which was sadly destroyed in a fire last May). I could only join on the last day, though that included the unveiling of “National Children’s Month Stamps”. My sketch has nothing much to do with all that – these two giant inflatables were at the end of the huge hall where the event took place and I couldn’t resist sketching them.
Wed-15-Nov-2023
This is the second sketch I did on a trip we made with friends to ZenZen café in Alfonso, Cavite. I did this one in the main food hall (which is in a glass house), while we waited for our lunch. I started this off with some #Derwent watercolour pencils. The food hall is full of these trees which are decorated with sill (or maybe plastic) cherry blossoms (all part of the Japanese styling). I thought this sketch could also count to the prompt of ‘Glass’ for Day 27 of #Sketchtober2023.
Sun-12-Nov-2023
This sketch follows the #Sketchtober2023 prompt of light fixture for Day 20. I think we bought this glass lampshade in Istanbul years ago. Certainly since then it has either in storage or hanging on the side of a cupboard.
Wed-8-Nov-2023
It’s time for another cat sketch – following the #Inktober2023 prompt of ‘Angel’ for Day 16. I sketched this while bingeing a new TV series called ‘Gen V’, while General Tapioca (our youngest cat) slept next to me. He had been snoozing on the couch next to me all afternoon. What a cuddly little angel he is. By the way Gen V is not for the faint-hearted!
Sun-29-Oct-2023
This sketch (done at the local mall, Market Market!), was following the prompt for Day 13 from #Inktober2023. There were a lot of people moving quickly up and down these escalators, but in the end I just a few in as vague outlines. I drew this last week, while having a felafel sandwich for lunch at ‘Beruiti Bites’ – then I added the colour at home.
Wed-25-Oct-2023