In the last post I shared some train sketches of passing landscapes out the window, but you'll know I'm just as likely to be drawing what's going on inside the train carriage - i.e. the other passengers. Here's a few recent. Before the rise of smart phones, there was a bit more variation of activity, and hence more interesting poses for obsessive scribblers like me - more people reading books/newspapers, writing, staring out of the window, or even talking to other passengers!

I've been out and about over the last few weeks, here's some recent sketches through train windows. Often, I've been in carriages either too crowded to easily manoeuvre myself to draw other passengers, or mostly empty with nothing to draw other than the landscape rushing past. So here’s some glances of the East English countryside. You might be wondering how I can sketch anything when the train is flashing past so quickly, but countryside landscapes can be quite repetitive wh

Dear friends, It's another scorching summer in these parts. Wherever you are, stay cool and have a splashing time! いよいよ本格的な夏の到来ですね！ 身を守って、涼しくして、水しぶき時間をたのしんでください！ Well readers, you may have noticed it's been quite a while since I updated this blog. It's a symptom of a wider disillusionment I had with social media as a whole over the last few years (due to the increasingly maverick actions of Zuck, Musky, and the AI robber barons). The explosion of generative AI was the big one

Happy New Year of the Snake!* In Asian mythology, snakes are associated with charm, wisdom, and grace, so that’s my policy for 2025! (* -...

A very merry festive season to all my friends and followers! It’s been a steady, but eventful year here, with some memorable moments,...

Goodbye X/Twitter, I’m flying high into the fresh atmosphere of Bluesky , if you’re there, do follow me! https://bsky.app/profile/studion...

Here's something from the deep archives. I've just been sent a bunch of photos from my early days in Japan in the late '80's, mostly...

Seasons Greetings everyone! 皆さん、メリークリスマス！ "I saw three ships come sailing in⁠ On Christmas day, on Christmas day; I saw three ships come...

I’ve just returned from Japan, my first trip back since before the pandemic - four years it’s been - my longest absence from my old home...

It's been a funny old start to the year, which began with a stumble after I contracted Covid over New Year, and was largely out of action...

Warmest wishes to all my friends and followers at this most festive time. It's time to briefly put aside the trials and tribulations...

Last weekend was a definitive anniversary, as it marked 40 years since I signed the contract on my first proper illustration job, on 1st...

It's the end of an era. No, I don't mean the lately departed monarch, nor the recent change of Tory leadership, which for me is no change...

Summer greetings to all my friends and colleagues! This year as the heat rises, the shadows seem to be the safest place! Yes indeed, the...

This week I went on a rare train trip to London, naturally I took my sketchbook... All the windows are open for Summer and getting out...

Last week I was in Sutton Coldfield for the excellent Shakespeare in Sutton Festival, staged by FOLIO Sutton Coldfield, a charity run by...

The Sutton in the Time of Shakespeare panorama map is live, here it is in it’s entirety (minus it's numbered key)... FOLIO Sutton...

Since the beginning of this year I’ve been deeply involved in a research-heavy project, creating a large scale panorama of Sutton...

Seasons Greetings everyone! Our celebrations may be low key this year, but the bears are raising a glass for a bright and creative...

Despite all the isolation and gloom of our times, things are beginning to look rather buoyant! First excellent news to share, is the...