Karnataka Travel Sketches: Original Art by Megha
Every sketch here was drawn on location, from the misty jeep trails in Coorg to the ancient stone carvings of Yana. These are pages from my travel sketchbook, capturing the energy of the moment.
An acrylic painting of the unique karst rock formations at Yana, created on location. Holding the finished piece against the scenery shows how I translate real-life landscapes into art.
This video captures the beautiful scenery of Yana and shows my finished acrylic sketch. My travel art is a way to create a tangible memory of the places I visit.
A time-lapse of me doing a live ink sketch of the inscribed stones at Yana. Outdoor sketching forces me to be quick and decisive, capturing the essence of the subject.
Sketching a jeep on a foggy morning in Coorg. This video shows my process of creating a rapid pen sketch, capturing the rugged vehicle and the misty atmosphere of the hill station.
Another angle of me live sketching in the dense fog of Coorg. The challenge of drawing in such conditions is part of the adventure, and the resulting artwork holds that memory.
Here I am holding my finished pen and ink sketch of the Sri Chandika Durgaparameshwari Temple in Kumbashi. I try to capture the intricate architecture of these sacred places in my travel sketchbook.
A rapid sketch of a bus, done while waiting at a bus station during my travels. These quick studies help me practice my observation skills and find art in moments of transit.
A live drawing of an auto-rickshaw, a quintessential part of the Indian streetscape. This charcoal sketch captures the form and shadow of the vehicle against a simple road.
A creative exercise in perspective, where I painted the scene reflected in my car's side mirror. It's a painting within a photo, capturing the highway journey in a unique way.
This video shows me doing a rapid pencil sketch of a Nandi sculpture while trekking at Shivagange. Sketching outdoors helps me connect with the history and spirituality of a place.
About The Artist's Sketchbook: Travels Across Karnataka & Beyond
I create these travel vignettes on the spot using whatever is on hand, whether it is a Micron pen, acrylics, or charcoal. Because I sketch while traveling, each piece carries the texture of the environment, from the damp fog of a hill station to the dusty trails near historic sites. You are not buying a reproduction of a famous landmark; you are acquiring a raw, singular memory captured in real time.
My sketchbook is my constant companion. When I visit places like the Yana caves or study the architecture in Kumbashi, I do not just take photographs. I sit, observe, and draw. This practice forces me to be decisive. You can see the shift in my technique based on the environment: quick, energetic pen strokes when I am waiting for a bus in the rain, or softer, more detailed acrylic work when I have the luxury of time in a forest clearing.
I often use toned paper because it mimics the natural colors of the Karnataka landscape, specifically earthy browns and tans. For architectural subjects, I lean into ink work to catch the intricate details of temple gopurams. When the weather changes or a vehicle starts moving, the sketch changes too. This spontaneity is what I try to preserve in every piece. Each original artwork comes mounted and signed, often accompanied by a short note about what I was hearing or feeling at the moment of creation. These pieces are not polished studio works; they are honest reflections of my journey as an artist.
Similar work from other experts
Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe
My Travel Sketchbook: Hand-Drawn Memories in Ink and Watercolor
Landscapes and Travel Sketches in Watercolour & Ink
Nature and Travel Inspired Art Retreats
5
Art on the Road: Hand-Drawn Travel Sketches
Plein Air Painting: Capturing Indian Landscapes Live
Travel Sketchbook: Capturing Memories & Stories in Watercolour
Looking for a specific location or style?
Use the search bar to find art inspired by specific places or using certain materials.
More from Original Paintings & Drawings by Megha Prashanth
More services by Megha Prashanth