Category Archives: Urban Sketching

Art, Art tips and tricks, Pen and inks, Traditional Art, Urban Sketching

Emphasizing Elements in a Sketch

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A few days ago, a student on mine asked me… “What are the rules of including/leaving out certain elements from a sketch/painting?”.

The answer is… “It depends!”.

And believe me, this is not a diplomatic answer. It completely depends on the sketcher. If I do two sketches at the same spot/using the same reference image, I may emphasize different elements altogether.

Have a look at this sketch above. I sketched this one today morning on location in a narrow lane in the old heritage part of the city where I live.

You may notice that the left side of the lane is highly emphasized while the right side is completely left blank, highlighted only by the blue signage.

The middle part, i.e. the road is also left blank, save some shadows. This give an illusion of bright light.

Would I do the same choices if I go there next time? Not necessarily!

Art, Pen and inks, Traditional Art, Urban Sketching

Zostel and Brahmanshahi Ghat with Urban Sketchers

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 Visited the Zostel site constructed using shipping containers in Panchagani on Sunday with Urban Sketchers. The containers we’re a challenge to draw in perspective.

Visited Wai while coming back. Did some sketching at Brahmanshahi ghat in Wai. The oldest temple here is 12th century. The temples in the picture are from 18th century. They were constructed by Peshwas.

Art, Pen and inks, Traditional Art, Urban Sketching

Trishund Ganapati, Pune

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Trishund Ganapati (Ganesha with trifurcated trunk). I did not know such an exqusitely carved temple existed right in the middle of Pune city till a couple of days ago when Urban sketchers decided to sketch there.

In the limited time available, I could sketch only the entrance of this 18th century temple. The stone carvings are so exquisite, that they are overwhelming!

Art, Pen and inks, Traditional Art, Urban Sketching

Glimpses of Krabi, Thailand through Sketches

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I was recently in Krabi, Thailand for a dive trip. It was as much a sketching trip as a dive trip. The sketching, apart from pure joy of sketching, had an additional benefit of connecting with many people on a creative level.

I started with these sketches in the plane from Mumbai to Bangkok and then to Krabi.

I did these random sketches of some strangers and gave them away for free. People had a hard time accepting that I was giving them away for free. But eventually they came around 🙂

I did some interesting sketches of the Ao Nang street and beach, near to where I was staying

Art, Pen and inks, Traditional Art, Urban Sketching

Kalyan Darvaja – Sinhagad

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A quick 20 mins sketch of the Kalyan Darvaja at the Sinhagad Fort, Pune today morning.

The area I stay in has many ancient forts situated in the rugged Sayhadri mountain range. Many of them are less than 4-5 hours drive from my city, and Sinhagad (literal meaning “The Lion Fort) is less than an hour’s drive. They were used till early 19th century as defenses and command & control centers for armies.

This sketch is of an entrance to the fort preceded by a steep climb over rocky steps. I can only imagine the plight of the soldiers charging up this formidable defense for the fort.