Michael Nobbs

Tag: still life

  • Familiar Spouts, a Mr Kipling Apple Pie and My New Mug

    An open sketchbook rests on a tray covered with a printed cloth of small illustrated chickens. The drawing on the page is made entirely in pencil: a jug with a pronounced spout, a teapot, an insulated mug with a lidded top, and several loosely sketched chickens. The jug appears slightly larger in scale than the other objects. The drawing is left in line only, with no colour or text added it is dated 7-11-25 in the bottom right corner. Above the sketchbook, the real objects sit on the tray: the jug, the teapot, the insulated mug, and a small pie in its wrapper. The scene is arranged on a softly crocheted blanket made up of blue and purple squares with a white borders. A small white reading lamp lights the scene with a gentle orange glow, and the overall feeling is quiet and domestic.

    Today I turned my new tea-tray mat over, revealing a calm brown background. I also added a Mr Kipling apple pie to my tray — something with warm associations from long ago. Together these two small changes helped me into a calmer space before I started drawing than I was in yesterday.

    I began the drawing with the spout of my milk jug. I get pleasure and comfort from drawing its shape — the same is true of my teapot spout. After drawing both, I moved on to my new insulated mug, starting with the little sticking-out piece of its lid. I can see that this might become a familiar starting point — it isn’t yet, but the possibility that it might pleases me.

    I made the decision to include the chickens on the tray mat — more unfamiliarity — but then I spotted a chicken that was familiar. It is the same as the one on my lesser-used (but still often drawn) Go Gently George mug. Seeing that one helped the other illustrated chickens feel friendlier. I was getting to know them better as I drew. Quite suddenly, I realised I was enjoying myself, and noticed that the new mug is more on the page and part of the drawing than it was yesterday.

    No colour today, no text. I rather like the open space left on the page.

    A calmer time drawing — and, with the new insulated mug, my tea was still hot when I finished.

    A close view of an open sketchbook page showing a pencil drawing of an arrangement of tea things on a tray. A jug, teapot, insulated mug, and a number of chickens are drawn with strong lines. The photograph is a closely cropped view of the sketchbook, but the top of the image shows the tray from the drawing and includes a small reading light casting an orange glow and a stub of a yellow pencil with a gold ferrule. It can be seen that the chickens from the drawing are illustrations on a brown mat that is covering the tray. The image suggests a feeling of intimacy, cosiness, and domesticity.

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  • Two Cartons of Oat Milk

    Sketchbook drawing showing two cartons of oat milk, a mug, and a teapot. Handwritten text reads: ‘Two cartons of oat milk on my tray this morning. I’m feeling very jittery. Am I drinking too much tea? I hope not!

    Here’s today’s Tea-Tray drawing. The text reads:

    Two cartons of oat milk on my tray this morning.
    I’m feeling very jittery.
    Am I drinking too much tea? I hope not.

    Often (usually?) my drawings are simply a record of a moment, of what’s here in front of me — the clutter, the small absurdities of my tiny life, the quiet noticing of how I feel. Today it’s two oat-milk cartons, a teapot, and a cup of tea that’s probably gone cold while I was drawing.

    Open sketchbook on a tray beside a mug of tea, two cartons of oat milk, and a green teapot. The drawing on the page shows the same scene with handwritten reflections about drinking too much tea.

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  • Tea Made in a Teapot (Not a Teabag in Sight!)

    Sketchbook open to a drawing of a teapot, oat milk carton, and mug, placed beside the real objects — green teapot, stainless-steel flask, and mug on a patterned tablecloth. The handwritten text in the sketchbook reads: ‘Tea made in a teapot (not a teabag in sight!!). The first time since Covid. A sign that things are improving.

    Today’s Tea-Tray drawing, Tea Made in a Teapot (Not a Teabag in Sight!)

    Notes: A drawing of my morning tea-tray scene — teapot, Oatly carton, Go Gently mug and flask accompanied by handwritten text:

    “Tea made in a teapot (not a teabag in sight!!). The first time since Covid. A sure sign that things are improving.”

    This feels like gentle milestone marking recovery and the quiet return of ritual; I hope that the drawing combines a little humour, care, and gratitude within the familiar rhythm of morning tea.

    Sketchbook drawing of a teapot, oat milk carton, and mug. Handwritten text reads: ‘Tea made in a teapot (not a teabag in sight!!). The first time since Covid. A sign that things are improving.’ The page captures a return to ritual and gentle humour after illness.

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  • Trying to remember to drink my tea slowly

    Sketchbook open to a drawing of a mug, teapot, and carton of Oatly Barista Edition oat milk, placed beside the real items on a tray. The handwritten text reads: ‘My favourite oat milk was on offer this week (Oatly Barista chilled). Trying to remember to enjoy my tea slowly, rather than rushing into the day and letting it get cold.’ A warm, humorous reflection on slowing down and beginning the day gently.

    Today’s tea-tray drawing, Trying to remember to drink my tea slowly.

    The text on the drawing reads:

    My Favourite oat milk was on offer this week (Oatly Barista chilled). Trying to remember to enjoy my tea slowly, rather than rushing into the day and letting it get cold.

    Rushing to try and avoid that I’m not feeling well this morning? Making rather a mess of this.

    Sketchbook drawing showing a carton of Oatly Barista Edition oat milk, a mug, and a teapot. Handwritten text reads: ‘My favourite oat milk was on offer this week (Oatly Barista chilled). Trying to remember to enjoy my tea slowly, rather than rushing into the day and letting it get cold.’ A gentle note on patience, care, and self-observation.

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