Sketchbooks
The Sweeney
Watching & sketching re-runs of The Sweeney, the 1970s police drama about the Flying Squad (Sweeney Todd). It stars John Thaw as Detective Inspector Jack Regan & his partner Dennis Waterman as Detective Sergeant George Carter. A tough & gritty series following Regan & Carter as they tackle armed robbery and violent crime in London.
It was broadcast between 1975 - 1978.
Talking & Muttering to No One
If I’m not carrying a camera I will have my sketchbook with me, stopping whenever I see something to draw. In this case a dishevelled man sitting alone on a wall with a large suitcase. He was animated, often talking to himself and his imaginary friend, never engaging with passers-by. He was in a world of his own, occasionally puffing on a roly and oblivious to all. I picked a spot on the opposite side of the street and started drawing.
Pyjamas & a Loaf
Down to the shop for a loaf of bread in her pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers.
Any pipe smokers still out there?
In the nostalgic backdrop of the 1970s, my dad was inseparable from his pipe. Whirls of thick smoke swirled up filling the air with each choking pungent puff. I can still smell the smoke and sticky tar that used to line the pipe and no doubt his lungs.
Biro & ink wash on Colorplan.
Overheard Conversations: Doobries & Chuffers
Sketching other people's conversations.
“She got arrested on her 21st birthday.”
“And this one’ll be in Doobrie before he’s eleven.”
“That’s why I’m on these. She can’t nick me fags now can she? It’s better on these cuffers.”
1. Doobrie n also dooberry, doobry, dubry — Anything for which one cannot recall the name.
2. Chuffer — Disposible cigarette.