Here is an evening sketch of something I took out of the fridge. I don’t know why but I’ve never been a big fan of sweetcorn (especially when it’s on the cob – maybe because I end up with so much stuff stuck in my teeth). This sketch makes the sweetcorn look more wrinkly than it actually was.
Sun-21-Jun-2026
Here are the sketches I did in Binondo on Chinese New Year with Urban Sketchers Manila. I first met my friend Reuel in SM Manila and walked into Binondo. On the way we stopped for breakfast at Jollibee on Quintin Parades Road and met this group of people who said that they gather every Tuesday. This would turn out to be the enduring memory of the day. They were so friendly and happy to be sketched. We took group photos and they gave us rice cakes and crackers. Fr. Joaquin (who is from Goa and appears in my first sketch) said we were breaking down barriers by sketching – it was such a heartwarming start to the day.
My second sketch was of the fibreglass horses hitched up to the a streetcar in the Chinese Museum next to Lucky Chinatown Mall. The Tranvía was a streetcar system that served Manila during the late 19th century. The horse-drawn tranvías (or tranvía de sangre—literally “blood tram”) were an animal powered version of the system.
My third sketch was done in a rush on the bridge overlooking Lucky Chinatown Walk – I think that’s a multi-storey car park in the background. I had to rush as it rained – you can see splashes on the paper.
Finally I sketched the receptionist or concierge in the museum, standing behind a desk shaped like a junk (a Chinese sailing ship). On the wall there were lots of phrases in English and Chinese (and maybe Tagalog?) – in relief. That was difficult to sketch and I am not sure if I captured that very well.
Tue-17-Feb-2026
Here is the last sketch I did with Urban Sketchers Manila at our year end sketch-walk. I drew this using one straw-load of Chinese ink from National Book Store and using a quill pen made from a straw (thanks to a little workshop run by M Roxas), and which worked amazingly well.
Tue-30-Dec-2025
This is the second sketch I did with Urban Sketchers Manila at our year end sketch on Rizal Day, in Fort Santiago. I sketched the bags of the sketchers inside the museum compound while I chatted with my friends about new paper, ink and brushes….which was probably really boring for my daughter who kindly came along!
Tue-30-Dec-2025
Here is my first sketch done with Urban Sketchers Manila on Rizal Day at the Museo ni Jose Rizal at Fort Santiago. I am always surprised that so few people show up at events like this given the millions that live in Manila. The ceremony was mostly attended by troupes of scouts and a smattering of tourists.
Tue-30-Dec-2025
After it gradually got hotter and hotter outside I retreated indoors to the nice cool lobby of Gota de Leche for my second sketch with #UskMnl at the end of November. I wanted to try lighter more careful lifework (so I used by TWSBI pen) but I wasn’t really feeling it (as they say) – so I didn’t do any more work on this despite it feeling partly finished.
Sat-22-Nov-2025
With this sketch I am on to my 103rd sketchbook – this one using my go-to paper at the moment (Umae hot press 300gsm). This is the third sketch I did on World Book Day (Día Del Libro) with #UskMnl in Ayala Triangle Gardens. The building is the Makati Stock Exchange (which I have sketched before – see sketch No.1080). Instead of doing my usual thing and carefully starting with ink, I decided to be more spontaneous, start with the paint and be a bit more splashy.
Sat-26-Apr-2025
Last month I tried to sell some sketches at the #ArtInThePark art fair in Makati, with #UskManila. Unfortunately nobody was interested in buying sketches of bridges! However I had a nice time that day hanging out with my sketching friends including, Reuel (@the_uban_sketcher). My first sketch was done when the two of us decided to escape from the heat and had a coffee in Starbucks.
Then I sketched the #UrbanSketchersManila kiosk where we had our stuff set up and the musicians (soulful mood strings) who were set up in the middle of the park.
Later we went for something to eat at McDonalds with Gili (@nalegili) where I sketched some of the other diners. So despite the lack of sales on my part (I think the UskManila kiosk did well otherwise), I had a lovely day!
Sun-23-Mar-2025
Here is the last of the sketches I am selling at the #ArtInThePark art fair on Sunday 23rd March in Makati, with #UskManila. Having sketched two bridges built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, I thought I would have a go at a more modern one. This bridge was a joint project between the Philippines and China and was finished in 2022. Apparently the construction was quite controversial because it is close to Intramuros and San Agustin church heritage site. There is a nice park under the Intramuros end of the bridge where I sat along a stone-paved riverside pathway.
Thu-20-Mar-2025