These are seed pods from the Albizia Lebbeck tree or “woman’s tongue tree”, that I picked up when we were at Manila Memorial Park. The seed pods rattle loudly in the wind and the continuous rustling sound is where the reference to a woman’s tongue comes from. This is what early botanists thought anyway – but personally I find this a bit sexist and derogatory.
Wed-20-May-2026
I have sketched these juggling balls before (see Sketch No.2144 which I did in 2022). They are looking a bit tired these days, so my wife washed them…oops! Afterwards the homemade ones with actual beans in them all swelled up and got a bit smelly!
Tue-19-May-2026
We used to have a Bhutanese signing bowl, which we bought when we lived there, but it broke. My wife got this one recently for Christmas. These bowls are traditionally used in meditation and produce a lovely sound when struck or rubbed (around the rim) with the small wooden mallet.
Mon-18-May-2026
This was sketched at Manila Memorial Park when we visited the graves of my parents-in-law. You can’t really tell from my sketch but most of the greenery there is parched and dry…I am looking forward to the coming rainy season.
Sun-17-May-2026
After having been banned from sketching my wife for quite some time (due to some quite uncomplimentary efforts) – and after a little cajoling and practice sketching my mum – I was finally allowed to try again. We sat down to sketch each other across the table…and my sketch was approved!
Sat-16-May-2026
Often the simplest things are most satisfying to sketch. I enjoyed getting the texture of the chopping board in this one and the contrast with the colour of the cup.
Fri-15-May-2026
When I am a bit stuck for something to draw (especially when I am so busy with work that I can’t sketch during the day), I often open the fridge and take out some veggies. Soon after I sketched this okra we cooked it with yoghurt to go with dal and rice.
Thu-14-May-2026
Here is a late night sketch going back to a simple subject that I love to sketch (and collect of course)…art materials! These are my three favourite brushes: a Rosemary and Co. dagger travel brush, a Winsor & Newton squirrel mop brush and a (new) Faber-Castell water brush.
Wed-13-May-2026
For me it is often a mistake to draw with a pencil first (I prefer to go straight into using ink) – I did that for this sketch which I think came out stiff and not very satisfactory. Well, never mind, not all sketches work…on to the next one!
Tue-12-May-2026