A view from the Old Sake Shop behind Ueno Park, Tokyo.

I sat in the front of the old Sake Shop behind Ueno park and sketched what I saw. Old buildings, new buildings, loads of criss-crossing power lines and a hedge. I was knackered after walking most of the day and the rest was most welcome.

A small back alley near Minami Shinjuku Station, Tokyo.

My wife asked me why I chose my subject matter - she thought it strange. It's simply about perspective and depth I guess. I walk around and just see angles that appeal. So....no really smart answers really.

Scooters near Harajuku

I just love the scooters in Tokyo - really wacky and over the top. This one was really ugly so I just had to do a quick sketch.

A flyover near Shinjuku, Tokyo

I sat down on a small wall just outside Yoyogi Park. A man came over and started talking to me in pigeon English and I did my best to respond in pigeon Japanese. This was followed by a policeman coming to 'move me on'. When he saw my sketchbook he simply nodded and walked away - the power of the pencil!

An Old Pair of Boat Shoes

Just sat in the sun and sketched an old pair of boat shoes on the grass in front of me. Perfect way to relax!

Here lie the mangled remains!

The bodies of the murdered William Green and Private William Webb lie in the graveyard of St Mary’s church.  Green’s stone is inscribed:  ‘Here lie the mangled remains of poor William Green, an Honest Officer of Government, who in the faithful discharge of his duty was inhumanly murdered by a gang of Smugglers in this Parish September 27th, 1784, aged 37 years.’  Webb’s stone is inscribed:  ‘William Webb, late of the 15th Lt. D’ns who was shot from his horse by a party of Smugglers on 25th Sept.  1784 aged 26 years.  I am not dead but sleepeth here And when the Trumpet Sound I will appear.  Four balls thro’ me Pearced there way.  Hard it was I’d no time to pray.  This stone that here you Do see My comerades Erected for the sake of me.’

There's a great book called The Lawless Coast - Smuggling, Anarchy and Murder in North Norfolk in the 1780s by Neil Holmes (Larks Press, 2008). The book really tells the story of the night both Customs men met their fate. A great read!

The Old Vicarage, Clehonger, Hereford

I spent the weekend with the family at my brothers annual barbeque and we stayed at a fabulous b&b. On the Sunday night the owner prepared a meal to remember. The sketch was whilst drinking a Gin & Tonic and watching the sun go down - a golden moment to savour!

Man sitting in Starbucks, Saffron Walden.

Just a quick sketch today. This man had a lovely profile and as I'm not good at people I decided to do a quick bit of practice. Would have carried on but my view got blocked when someone sat down in from of me - c'est la vie!

2nd July 2011, My bike in my favourite pub!

Cycled over to the Lifeboat for a pint of Woodfords Wherry and grabbed my sketchpad - this is my bike propped up against the fence.

30th June 2011. The force of Nature by Lorenzo Quinn

I had half an hour to kill just after a meeting in Gilbert Street - I discovered this fantastic sculpture in Nightingale Square. It really captures the feeling of force - loved it! Not sure when it was installed but I've not seen it before but then London has loads of unexpected things crop up if you give yourself time to find them!

Gargoyles at Bridge End Gardens, Saffron Walden

I saw these guys guarding the entrance to the part of the garden with the maze. They look comical for Gargoyles - a bit unhappy and slightly squashed. Not at all scary! I've lived in the Saffron Walden area for years and have only just discovered the Gargoyles. A great place to switch off!

Canary Wharf Station, Londons Docklands

I had just had the dubious honour of presenting a seminar at the 'Business Start-up Show' at the Excel Centre and I wanted to grab a few minutes to myself. I walked around Canary Wharf (above ground) in the sun looking for a suitable target but somehow opted for the dark, futuristic, below ground underground platform at Canary Wharf.

A great pot, Casa do Luca, Portugal

Just outside the back door was this great pot. It didn't sit quite properly in the vase and just made a fabulous subject. I didn't get to draw the Villa but this pot will always remind me of a great week. Thanks to our hostess, Julietta.

Museo do Lager, Loulé, Portugal

I managed to escape the family and sit on my own for half an hour. I sat on the foundation wall of a beautiful church being photographed by tourists - they thought it very strange that I should enjoy sketching the bar across the road.

Paradise Beach Club - Vale de Lobo, Portugal

I escaped the extended family and sat on a bench on the beach looking back towards the Paradise Beach Club, a restaurant and bar. A good few minutes of peace and concentration in the sun. A great place to grab a beer after a swim.

The Lifeboat, Thornham, 15/5/2011

I cycled over to the Lifeboat late Sunday to grab a pint. Nobody was sitting outside as it was so cold. I just got my pencils out and did a 'mini' sketch. Had to have a top up inside though to warm up!
And before anybody asks - yes - the chimney does lean!

Mum's Chair

My mother died last year sitting in this chair watching Midsummers Murders with a glass of Red wine on the table next to her. A fine way to go. I was in the house and decided to sketch the chair simply because sketching is such a great way to indelibly etch memories. I like this memory!

The place I escape to!

9/4/2011 - I love North Norfolk and I am fortunate enough to be able to escape up there fairly regularily. This is the back of my place. I was sketching in the sun and just loved the lines of the cedar cladding.

Harajuku - The Adidas Shop

13/2/2011 - I sat down on the corner in busy Harajuku and was soon surrounded by interested Japanese kids all wondering what this strange Westener was doing with a sketchbook. I picked this subject purely because I had found a comfortable seat. The building was only interesting because of the perspective inherent in the structure.

The Excelsior Cafe, Tokyo

11/2/2011 - I've never realised that sketching secretively involves the sketching of the back of so many heads! It was snowing in Tokyo so I sat down in the coffee bar to warm my hands on my coffee mug and ended up getting my sketch pad out.

My favourite place

9/4/2011 - The back wall of my bolt hole in North Norfolk - the perfect place to unwind and sketch.

Lady on a train.

27/4/2011 - I plucked up courage to try and sketch somebody on a train. This lady was visible between two seats. The sun was out, she was reading and appeared very comfortable.
28/4/2011 - The spectators at cricket were dressed in whites and were both fairly large gentlemen.

Church Street, Saffron Walden.

6/4/2011 - It was a sunny day and I was fed up with sitting in a cold basement so I took myself over the road and enjoyed sketching in the sun. Saffron Walden is a beautiful town.

Essex vs. Lancashire Pro 40

2/5/2011 - I took my son and a couple of his friends to the Essex vs. Lancashire Pro 40 game at Chelmsford and got my pencil out. It was very sunny but cold - Essex won the game easily. A great day out.

Tokyo - Shinjuku Park

12/2/2011 - It was snowing and I had an afternoon to myself so went for a walk. I discovered a beautiful temple in the park behind my hotel with a couple having their wedding photographs taken. I was wearing fingerless gloves and had to stop after about half an hour as the feeling had left my fingers completely. It was beautiful.

My first attempt at adding colour to my sketches.

April 2011 - My back garden in Great Sampford, Essex. I tentatively opened my small portable watercolour pack and got going. I realised that, with the sun going down, I had to make a decision about where the shadow should fall - I tried to move quickly. I've so much to learn about colour.