Travel Sketchbook: Capturing Memories & Stories in Watercolour
I carry my sketchbook everywhere, from Udaipur's ghats to the streets of Thailand. Painting live on location is my way of holding onto a fleeting moment before it fades away.
There's a special kind of peace I find painting by the water. This moment in Udaipur, with my sketchbook and colours, is what my art is all about: capturing the feeling of a place and holding onto it.
Welcome to Thailand, but make it art. I painted my way through the country, capturing the streets, the sea, and the stillness in my journal so a piece of it still lives with me.
The sheer joy of painting live on location. Chasing the shifting light and colours before they slip away is a dance between urgency and flow, and I absolutely love it. Here's a beach scene from my plein air adventures.
Capturing the beauty of Gangaur Ghat in Udaipur. Comparing my watercolour sketch to the real view is always a magical moment.
Painting at Saheliyon Ki Badi in Udaipur. It was a peaceful time filled with conversations with curious onlookers who stopped to watch my sketchbook come to life.
Capturing the colourful facade of Doma's Inn in Landour. Plein air painting allows me to soak in the atmosphere of a place and translate it onto the page.
"Life is like a cup of tea… It’s all in how you make it." I found this quote at Rokeby Manor in Landour and had to capture it in my journal, along with the cute decor pieces from the restaurant.
About this collection
My painting kit is minimal, so I can set up my studio in any cafe or street corner without being a distraction. When you commission a travel-style piece, you aren't just getting a drawing of a place; you get that specific memory interpreted through my watercolour lens. It’s an exercise in capturing the vibe, not just the architecture, so be ready to share the feeling of the moment you want me to paint.
How I Paint Memories
Painting live on location is a dance between urgency and flow. My 'Dhak-Dhak' moments—when the light is shifting, people are passing by, and I am desperately trying to capture the essence of the place—are where the real magic happens. This is the energy I bring to every custom commission.
Can I Paint Your Travel Story?
People often ask if I can capture their own travel memories. The answer is a resounding yes. If you have a photograph from a trip that feels like home, or a memory that you wish you had captured on paper, I can translate that into a custom watercolour illustration.
My style isn't about photorealism; it’s about the feeling. Whether it is the quiet stillness of a Himalayan cafe or the bustling chaos of a city street, I focus on the colours and the textures that make the memory alive.
The Process
When we work together on a custom commission, I don’t just trace a photo. We chat about why that specific moment matters to you. I use my professional-grade watercolour journals (similar to the ones I use in my own travel adventures) to bring that scene back to life.
- Collaboration: We start by talking about the story behind the photo or place.
- Medium: I use professional watercolours and gouache for that signature travel-journal aesthetic.
- Delivery: Each piece is an original, hand-painted creation on high-quality 300 GSM paper, ready to be framed or kept in your own collection.
If you want to freeze a moment in time, let’s talk. Everything is magic if you choose to see it that way, and I would love to help you see your travel memories through my sketchbook.
Anupama
I’m Anupama, and for me, art isn't just a job; it’s how I breathe. Whether I’m painting a mural in Delhi or sketching the ghats in Udaipur, I’m just trying to capture the magic in the everyday. I paint to make sense of the world, and I’d love to help you capture your memories too.
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