Some drawings begin with an idea. Others begin because there is a pen nearby and a piece of paper has made the mistake of looking empty.
This is a collection of both kinds: sketchbook pages, characters, observations, visual jokes, places, creatures, fragments and drawings that never needed to become anything else.
Things noticed, invented or allowed to get out of hand
I draw a great deal outside commissioned work. Sometimes it is observational — a person at a railway station, a fountain, a café, a cat by a window. Sometimes a few marks suggest a face or a character and I follow them to see where they go.
And sometimes the result is a sea captain, a Loch Ness monster, an alien dog walker, a gentleman discussing something with a mushroom, or a witch flying away on a dip pen. These things happen.
From Life
People waiting for trains, cafés, streets, fountains, interiors and whatever happens to be sitting still long enough to draw.
Characters
Faces, animals, monsters, pilots, sheriffs and other people who arrive on the page without introducing themselves first.
Pen & Paper
Dip pen, ballpoint, marker, watercolor, ink washes and whatever else happens to be within reach.
Elsewhere
Visual jokes, improbable situations, bits of folklore, pulp, science fiction and ideas that took an unexpected turn.
Some stay rough. Some keep going.
A sketch does not have to be a preliminary version of something better. Often the first drawing has exactly the line, expression or accident that made it worth doing in the first place.
Other drawings get revisited, coloured, redrawn or quietly turn into something else. I have included both here.
For commissioned work, the more structured portfolio sections show how drawing develops into finished illustration, characters, comics and visual communication.
The gallery is best treated like an actual sketchbook. Open it somewhere, wander around, stop when something catches your eye and continue until you have had enough strange company.
The Sketchbook
Doodles, Scribbles, Sketches & Drawings
Click any image to enlarge it.
Ian David Marsden’s Sketchbook: Doodles, Scribbles & Pen Sketches
Dip Pen Doodles: Lighthouse, Tarot and Tea
A sketchbook page filled with spontaneous dip pen drawings including a lighthouse, a cup, a reading figure, and a tarot card labeled “The Magician.”
dog walk sketch, rainy day cartoon, sea captain illustration, ink and marker art, urban stroll doodle, whimsical weather
You start out cleaning your pen nibs and end up with something like this — the paper never stood a chance.
Bonjour, Photo Booth Pup
A debonair French dog poses for a passport photo in a Philippe Starck-designed booth — naturellement.
Selfie with the Yeti – From Sir Hillary’s Private Archive
From the unpublished archives of the first Everest ascent: a proud explorer throws an arm around the elusive Yeti. This was the last known photo before the camera mysteriously vanished.
Fromage Fauna: A French Cheese Bestiary
Whimsical ink doodles of animals paired with French cheeses like Reblochon, La Reine du Plateau, and Le Rêve de Chantal — a sketchbook celebration of culinary absurdity.
Pensive Man Emerging from Dip Pen Daydreams
Loose squiggles and pen flourishes settle into the shape of a tall, thoughtful man — a subconscious portrait in motion.
ALT: Freestyle dip pen sketch where abstract lines coalesce into the head and shoulders of a reflective figure.
Classic Creature, Reimagined in Ballpoint
A brooding Frankenstein stares from the page — drawn in ballpoint and shaded with the drama he deserves.
Dracula vs. Space Aliens — Italian Fumetto Trash at Its Finest
A glorious mashup of cape-swirling vampires and spaghetti sci-fi invaders — long live the weird pulp.
Sacred Geometry at the Seaside (Tattoo Draft for Virginie)
A Metatron Cube floats above the ocean — inked from memory during a beach picnic, later tattooed in real life.
Alchemical Roadmap to Possibly Everything
A chaotic, colorful diagram full of cryptic imagery and symbolic nonsense — which may, or may not, explain the universe.
Western Law: Furry Deputies on Patrol (Line Art)
A cat sheriff and dog deputy hold the saloon front in an old west standoff — drawn in classic pen-and-ink detail.
Western Law: Furry Deputies on Patrol (Color Version)
Now with color! The same showdown rendered in lively ecoline washes, with dusty coats and sun-faded saloon paint.
Kafka in the Margins
Doodling in the pages of The Trial, a man’s head takes off like a startled bird — escape route unclear.
Zürich Fountain, One Coffee In: Sketching the Stüssibrunnen at Henrici
Live sketch of Zürich’s Stüssibrunnen fountain with knight figure, drawn on-site from the café terrace at Henrici in the Niederdorf. Includes photo reference for comparison.
Marker Meets Medieval: Drawing Stüssibrunnen in Zürich
Close-up of artist sketching the armored figure of the Stüssibrunnen fountain with black marker in a Leuchtturm sketchbook at Café Henrici, Zürich.
Scratchy Cat (on Lap, of Course)
A haggard, wide-eyed feline slouches with unbothered chaos across your knees — sketched mid-scratch, mid-thought.
Evening Walkies (With UFO Escort)
An masked visitor from... ? takes its creature for an evening stroll under a hovering saucer — just your average intergalactic dog walk.
Loch Ness Monster is the most comfortable chair
Cartoon marker drawing a girl snugly cozied up to the Loch Ness Monster curled up like a cat in an armchair, content and slightly smug about it.
Bookish Overflow
A man reads so intently that the contents of the book pour out of his mind — ideas, beasts, and a tangle of thoughts.
Dapper Dog with a Delicate Balance
Ballpoint pen doodle of a dog in a suit balancing a teacup on his head while writing his memoirs.
Pen and Ink Safari of the Absurd
A dense collection of visual notes, ideas, and creatures — where coffee pots wear top hats and no doodle is wasted.
Classic Sci-Fi Setup with Imminent Doom
A scientist scans the cosmos, blissfully unaware of the escaped experiment looming behind him.
Tea Time, Scottish Edition
A tartan-hatted gentleman prepares tea with great dignity — a portrait of ritual, wool, and hot beverages.
Mustache Sheriff hears a “Boom” – 4th of July Doodle
Fireworks, facial hair, and a questionable badge — it’s Independence Day in the Wild West, doodle-style.
Cover to Cover: Sketches That Escaped
A Marsden sketchbook and drawing pad, both featuring runaway doodles that made it all the way to the cover — now they watch you draw.
A Cat, a Window, and the View Over Place de la Comédie
Ink drawing of a peaceful interior with a cat lounging by a window, gazing over Montpellier’s historic square.
Same Cat, Now in Full Color and Slightly More Committed to the Chair
Watercolor version of a cozy armchair scene with a cat, rendered in warm tones with a touch of domestic bliss.
Sketching Strangers at the Station Over Coffee (They’ll Never Know)
A traveler’s sketchbook open at a café table, mid-doodle, with coffee, pastry, and some quietly judged commuters.
Binocular Duel: Man vs. Bird
Whimsical sketch of an observer peering through binoculars at a wide-eyed bird perched on a rock, both characters appearing equally intrigued.
The Bird Was a Compass All Along
Pen sketch of a bird constructed from a math compass, pencil legs, and the quiet dignity of absurd geometry.
Just Fishin’… Until He Isn’t
A peaceful fishing scene is about to turn thrilling — a massive fish brews mischief under the getty
Stormwalkers: A Captain and His Canine
Mixed media painting of a rugged sea captain and his loyal dog braving a wintry storm, looking oddly pleased about it.
Rain Patrol: Captain & Doggo
A noble sea captain and his perky companion brave a rainy stroll, unfazed by weather or editorial deadlines.
Swiss Summit of Guisan: Mount Rushmore Reimagined
General Guisan, hero of Swiss resistance, gets the Mount Rushmore treatment — alpine grandeur meets schoolbook nostalgia.
Greenwich Village Pint, in Line and Tone
Doodle of a cozy NYC pub from across the street — pint in hand, pen on page, nothing fuzzy except the Guinness.
Self-Portrait with a Top-Hatted Monster at the Controls
Ink drawing of a man’s head opened like a marionette stage, where a dapper little monster pulls the strings.
Zooming In on the Monster in My Mind
Close-up ink illustration of the top-hat-wearing creature navigating the inside of the artist’s split head.
Morning Rituals: Open Sketchbook & Coffee
An open sketchbook, a quiet morning, and a favorite mug — proof that inspiration pairs best with caffeine.
ALT: Open sketchbook showing black ink character sketches beside a coffee mug with a red apple on it.
Slow Horses on TV, Fast Doodles on Paper
Marker sketch of quirky characters inspired by the series “Slow Horses,” drawn in real time while lounging with snacks.
Sketchbook Close-Up: Marsden Vol. 02
A closer look at the cover art — detailed doodles, symbols, and strange characters sprawled across well-loved kraft paper.
Royal Podcast — Golden Takes Only
Two cartoon royals sip tea and speak truths into golden microphones — the monarchy meets the mic check.
Puppy Monument in Progress (For Joanna)
A puppy watches as an artist chisels away at a giant strong stone wolf portrait of the puppy — a father-daughter moment frozen in whimsy.
Caffeine Theft: Elephant at the Cup
An elephant sketch leans against a polka-dot coffee cup — drinking the cartoonists coffee.
Frida & the Loch Lounge
A bold Frida Kahlo sketchbook meets a more laid-back cousin — a doodle pad featuring the Loch Ness monster in full recline.
Thessalie Fountain: Classical Beauty, Modern Selfie
A statue from Montpellier’s Fontaine Thessalie, drawn in situ — with a playful twist: he’s holding a smartphone mid-selfie. Because even marble muses need good lighting.
No Way! – Cover Concept in Protest
A children’s book character throws their whole soul into refusing something — we never learn what. But it’s a hard no.
Winged Veteran on Big-Footed Bird
A vintage pilot with scarf and swagger takes to the skies atop a flightless bird with impressively oversized feet.
Waiting with Ink: Gare de Lyon Characters
Doodling particularly interesting passers-by at the Gare de Lyon in Paris, with coffee and pastry for company.
Tiny Nap: Paper Cutout on Keyboard
A sleepy paper character curls up on the keyboard, snoozing through deadlines in peaceful protest.
Lee Marvin Meets the Tiki Gods
The tough-as-nails actor contemplates life, rum, and maybe a cursed garnish — all while a Trader Vic’s cocktail looms large and floral behind him.
Ride the Dip Pen, Witch-Style
A cheerful witch takes off astride a vintage dip pen — spellbound flight, ink-powered.
Size Matters: Four Pen Nibs, Four Personalities
Character lineups test the personality of each pen nib — from polite whispers to bold declarations.
Ideas with Wings: Drawing Out Loud
A man draws with a pen so large it might be a magic wand, while birds flutter freely from his head.
Tabletop Encounter Between Ink and Caffeine
Two drawn figures quietly occupy the pages of an open sketchbook while a mug of coffee presides nearby — the artist, presumably, wandered off mid-thought.
Acrobat Coffee Ambush
Mid-coffee moment interrupted by two masked acrobats leaping from sketchbook to cup — timing, as always, is everything.
Walkies in the Rain (with Duck Escort)
A happy young man walks a cheerful rubber duck on a leash through the rain — a splash of silliness under gray skies.
Diagram of a Dilemma: Fiasko in Progress
A fictional anatomy chart explains the cascade of cognitive failures leading to a magnificent blunder.
Old Style GPS – Let Your Hat Guide You
A wilderness trapper takes advice from the creature living in his hat — furred and opinionated, naturally.
Blooming Broadcast: TV with Botanical Ambitions
An old-fashioned television sprouts vines and blossoms — proof that even screens can grow something new.
Gentleman and the Mushroom
A solemn man contemplates a mushroom of much smaller size — neither of them blink.
Nomad Caravan – Wind and Companionship
This elegant ink drawing evokes desert winds, solitude, and partnership. A serene piece that could accompany folktales, geography books, or meditative children’s stories about nature and journeying.
The Green Lion Devours the Sun (Alchemy in Crayon)
A vibrant, playful take on the ancient alchemical motif — childhood colors meet esoteric lore.
Facebook Wall Confessional
A character, punished for social media sins, writes “I will not write on my Facebook wall” in looping ink.
Spring Brim Elegance
A refined gentleman sips espresso while floral tendrils grow from his top hat — spring clearly arrived early.
60 Years Young and Still a Character
Caricature gift for a 60th birthday — complete with hiking gear, birthday balloons, and a sense of mischief.
What’s in the Box? Dog Birthday Mystery
A slightly overwhelmed dog eyes a large, suspiciously wrapped gift — curiosity wrestles with disbelief.
Pen-Fueled Explosion of Imagination
From one desk, a chaos of creativity — monsters, machines, and mushrooms tumble out with artistic abandon.
Amphibian Evolution with Packing Skills
The next evolutionary leap? Carrying your own backpack. One amphibian makes a stylish, practical debut on land.
Classic RAF-Approved Mustache
A stiff upper lip and an even stiffer mustache — a timeless salute to pilot chic.
Coat, Scarf, and a Surprise Monster Mouth
One of those “just start drawing” moments — and suddenly there’s a man in a coat standing before a cave-sized maw. Happens more often than you’d think.
Secret Society for Sandwich Seekers (Featuring the Illu-MEOWty)
A hooded feline stands at the top of a mystical triangle while cultish figures chant — but it’s definitely about snacks.
You Are My Sunshine (and Also My Guitar Dog)
A dog serenades a sunflower with a guitar solo — as laid-back as a summer breeze.
Friday Escape Stamp — Now Incognito Approved
A distinguished gentleman in shades and false mustache appears on a commemorative stamp for early clock-outs.
Lowly Worm Rises Again — An Illustrated Tribute
A tall worm in a hat and shoes tips his head to Richard Scarry — old childhood favorites don’t fade, they doodle back.
Cartridge Combat: The Drawn Soldier
A sketched soldier fires real ink cartridges — the lines are sharp and the ammunition permanent.
Temple of Lines – Inca-Inspired Doodle
A mysterious figure studies ancient symbols while seated before a monumental Inca engraving — probably during lunch break.
Flat-Pack Fables: IKEA Doodle Edition
When the instructions said “drawers,” I thought they meant doodles. This scribble appeared mid-assembly confusion.
Pop Goes the Panic — Clown iPad Scribble
Somewhere between fun and frantic, this spring-loaded clown shot out of a box yelling something unprintable.
Stargazer’s Notebook — Night Thoughts
A lone figure and telescope, peering into space — hoping to spot meaning among the stars, or maybe just a comet.
Noir by Nib — Gangster & Moll Emerge
I didn’t mean to draw a film noir scene, but two shady characters stepped out of the shadows anyway.
Drumming Beasts — Jamming by Instinct
A wild rhythm session broke out while doodling — the drummer’s a bear, the groove’s unstoppable.
25 Years of Spongebon (Yes, You Heard Right)
A birthday card for everyone’s favorite sponge — now old enough to rent a car and question his choices.
Balloon Dog Says You’re Late
A smug pup with a water balloon for a head insists I’m behind schedule — over coffee, of course.
Reader with Wind-Turned Pages
So deep in thought that her hair turned into fluttering chapters — a literal case of page head.
Assembly Optional — IKEA MIKAEL Doodle
Meet Mikael. He came with the desk. He doesn’t help — but he has opinions.
Candycane Chaos — Sled Gone Rogue
A festive sled ride went wrong… mostly due to the passenger being a real candy cane with a need for speed.
Jungle Romance (Don’t Ask Questions)
She’s bold, bejeweled, and possibly 8 feet tall. I met her while sketching wildlife.
The Artist & The Muse — Paris, Naturally
A view into the St Germain loft — where one sketches and the other strolls past, unconcerned but inspiring.
Guide de la Provence (Mystérieuse Edition)
Flipping through this vintage guidebook somehow summoned suspicious French characters with great hats and better secrets.
A Closer Look at the Mystery (Zoom & Ink)
Same suspects, tighter crop — they still won’t talk, but the shadows got deeper.
Dog in Robe & Dryer Drama
Nothing says luxury like a bathrobe, a hair dryer, and a full-blown howl of existential dread.
Alien Scribble — Xenomorph in Ballpoint
What started as innocent pen twirls turned into this… squiggly terror from the inky deep.
Fireside Nap with Cat and Nightcap
A quiet evening: one roaring fire, one warm lap, and exactly zero intentions of moving.
Pagliacci Asks: “What Next?”
Existential dread has never looked so theatrical. Our tragic clown considers the chaos to come.
Print My Prize! Edding App Award Arrives
That moment when your digital doodles get snail-mailed and feel oddly official.
The First Easter Bunny on the Moon
NASA’s most overlooked mission — when chocolate eggs made lunar history.
Alphonse Lamertume — Inventor of the Cheese Hat
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear fermented dairy with confidence.
The Ultimate Coffee Machine (Possibly Overengineered)
Built for flavor. Fueled by obsession. Almost definitely illegal in two countries.
Something’s Hatching (and He Has No Idea)
A dapper gentleman carries on calmly, unaware of the strange hatchling emerging from his coat’s shadows.
Squawk of Wisdom — The Bird Has Thoughts
Perched like judgment itself, this wise old bird has opinions. And it’s not shy.
Snowbuddy Time — Bear Builds a Friend
A little bear rolls up the perfect snowy pal — complete with twig arms, button nose, and a very cold smile.
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