A Tree near Worthing Station, a Sketch in Transit

Finding Beauty in the space between Trains

While waiting for a train to Brighton, I found myself outside—or maybe on the platform—at Worthing Station. In front of me stood a tree. With a few minutes to spare, I reached for a black felt-tip pen and let the moment take over. It wasn't planned, polished, or part of any series—just a sketch done quickly, instinctively, and without fuss. There might've even been a pint involved, courtesy of a public house across the road.

What makes this drawing special for me is its simplicity. It reminds me that drawing isn't always about grand plans or hours of effort. It can be about capturing something quickly, without judgment. And strangely, those sketches—made in passing—often stay with you the longest.

This black-ink sketch evokes the tree studies by John Ruskin in the 19th century. Ruskin, too, believed in drawing as a means of seeing. While his work was often more detailed and academic, his quick tree studies—especially from travels—show a similar urge: to capture the essence of something fleeting, a form before it vanishes into memory.

Like Ruskin's sketches, mine also were not meant to be "finished." Just felt. And that's why I still like it.

Find out more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ruskin

His Artwork: https://www.wikiart.org/en/john-ruskin