--- title: "Urban Sketching in Bengaluru: Hand-Drawn City Memories by Basit" description: "Capture the soul of your favorite Bengaluru locations with live urban sketching by Basit. Professional plein air artist specializing in watercolor and ink." canonical: https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/urban-sketching-the-soul-of-the-city last_updated: 2025-09-02 --- # Urban Sketching in Bengaluru: Hand-Drawn City Memories Tribe Verified · Local artist capturing Bangalore's iconic landmarks. By [Basit](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in) · Available in Bengaluru and travels across India · ₹2,500 Per Hour (estimate) Part of [Live Art & Event Sketching](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/gallery) I don't just take photos; I draw the soul of the city. From the vintage lanes of Malleswaram to the vibrant buzz of Church Street, let's turn your favorite local spots into hand-drawn memories. ## Photos and videos - [Video: I spent a beautiful day sketching at the vintage Kamal Book Stall in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. This charming spot is over 50 years old, and I loved capturing its historic atmosphere and the wonderful people there with my pen.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/137accd8-d3fc-44c6-ae41-a26faaf2f1f1) - ![Here I am, sketching on my iPad at the bookstall. Digital tools are great for quick studies and capturing details on the go.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7b8972d5-960b-439c-8fa8-f8727b036185) - ![The unique architecture of a building in Malleswaram that caught my eye. The patterns and textures are a great subject for an urban sketch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/82e4868a-4791-49c7-9730-54d6259f3d5f) - ![A close-up of my hand as I work on the pen sketch of the bookstall, adding details to the figures and shelves.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7689c047-c16e-49bf-8197-47405eb10729) - ![The real-life scene at Kamal Book Stall, with people reading and chatting. This is the kind of authentic moment I love to draw.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/24a2f8f1-c489-43a1-858e-41b93ccf5cb4) - ![Another view of the bookstall, showing the vibrant, lived-in feel of the place.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4552a4ab-c354-4644-a4a4-8994a4651afe) - ![The finished pen sketch of the bookstall, capturing the scene with its regulars.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/be690cf0-6113-41f8-994a-2b5139b27076) - ![A slightly different angle of the finished sketch, showing the line work and composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/864816de-e719-47ef-afc8-307c2d9ceeb6) - ![Showing my sketch to one of the men at the bookstall. His reaction and appreciation made the experience even more special.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/696fadf7-f081-494f-84ed-bbc65e79ffca) - ![Holding up my completed sketch in front of the Kamal Book Stall, connecting the art to its source of inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fc9cd324-a7ca-49b6-9034-aad992d1bef7) - [Video: Let's go and paint the sunny yellow KC Das building on Church Street, Bengaluru. This video captures the process of painting this landmark and reminds me of the delicious Bengali sweets waiting inside.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c7d4cd9b-b462-48b4-9336-2c89133cf318) - ![The real KC Das building on a busy day, with traffic and pedestrians creating a dynamic urban scene.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90c53ef8-ada8-4547-b452-b330055eacaa) - ![A close-up of my vibrant watercolor painting of the KC Das building, focusing on the bold colors and loose brushstrokes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/10fbab1c-c0e9-42a0-a9d7-a70a98525f5c) - [Video: I finally got to paint Panchavati, the iconic home of Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. This video documents my experience capturing this historic colonial bungalow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e2140760-9f43-485f-8fc6-5ede50ef16de) - [Video: A quick painting of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Using a compact painting palette, I was able to capture the grandeur of this architectural marvel on a small scale.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d5b41a19-89e7-4d1d-ae39-69aa3bbcd775) - [Video: Today I'm sketching at the Thrissur Taluk office. I love starting a watercolor painting without a preliminary sketch, just blocking in big shapes and vibrant colors.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2638ce6a-fa6c-4789-8ab1-964c3118e9e1) - [Video: It's late evening in Thrissur, but I'm not tired of painting at all. This video shows me capturing the stunning Gothic architecture of Puthanpalli Church at night.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1113ed33-948a-47a2-aa71-fdd459811312) - [Video: An adventure in plein air painting. This video documents my journey to a painting spot in Thrissur, sharing the nervousness and excitement of capturing a new scene.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cbaf01ee-d1d5-4541-84ee-649d88bbd927) - [Video: Can you blame me for wanting to paint this? A quick 30 minute sketch of the interesting architecture I saw from my balcony in Phuket.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fd17a122-d69f-49f2-8d5f-ae19058d7cf6) - [Video: After many days of drawing indoors, this outdoor sketch break in Phuket was just what I needed. This video shows my watercolor painting of boats from the Phuket sketchwalk.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ecf136ce-7068-4331-a4ca-a1bdf1769996) - [Video: I never imagined this painting of boats from Phuket would travel across the world to a new friend in Seoul. Art has a beautiful way of connecting people across any distance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/76d9f54c-fe37-447f-a8fc-bb1498bedb0c) - ![Painting in White Town, Pondicherry. I love the yellow, orange, and blue buildings. This painting captures the beautiful dappled light on an orange wall near Coromandel Cafe.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e1260ee1-29ac-42d4-b7b4-59f6d7010732) - ![The actual scene in White Town that I painted, with its vibrant orange wall and flowering tree.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cdd70811-ad62-450e-b9db-64d2b996c4da) - ![Another photo of the location, showing the beautiful shadows and light that make this area so picturesque.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fc271538-6b7e-4627-9660-ad5429aee270) - ![My finished painting held up for comparison, showing how I interpreted the light and colors of the scene.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2fb8462a-f656-4904-94d9-14ae9992b32a) - ![The play of light and shadow on this orange wall in Pondicherry was too beautiful not to paint.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0935f5a6-e842-48c6-ab0b-72432fab6a86) - ![Here I am with my finished painting in Pondicherry. It’s always a happy moment to complete a piece on location.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5abf10df-f73e-4192-b528-d78d32a7f941) - ![The colorful, narrow streets of Fontainhas, Goa, are a sketcher's dream. The Portuguese-style houses offer endless inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81aad551-a082-439a-9d0d-de09fc293028) - ![A charming alley in Fontainhas, leading up to a white church. These little vignettes are perfect for quick sketches.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/97a70f3e-fb41-4935-8f0e-fbb4ae127584) - ![The beautiful architecture and street life of Fontainhas, Goa.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/24827308-87c4-4cce-a296-f30289678fa1) - ![The entrance to the Tea Trunk cafe in Fontainhas, another lovely spot to sit and sketch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/67604513-fb68-41ae-b681-dbf487552fad) - ![A pen sketch of the Zostel in Morjim, Goa. I had an amazing time at this hostel and wanted to capture a memory of it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c1d253dc-0cd4-4664-a1a6-857cbaaf494f) - [Video: A quick 20 minute sketch of a beautiful old house I found during a sketch walk in Nagpur. It's amazing what you can capture in a short amount of time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/be771a6c-36fb-4788-a83b-2374a2deaece) - [Video: Painting at Nagpur during a sketch fest. This video shows a glimpse of the beautiful temple architecture I got to capture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f4b2c88f-d7f8-4332-b34a-a21b90f71dcf) - [Video: Live demo karne chalein? This video shows a live watercolor demo I did in Nagpur, from the initial pencil sketch to the final colored piece of a historic building.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/498fd39e-615f-4928-82d6-209e7c3ac325) - [Video: A plein air watercolor painting session at KR Market in Bengaluru. I was inspired by a bustling banana leaf shop and captured the scene with vibrant greens and yellows.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/937f63fe-0107-4813-bb8d-39dc10bab9f1) - [Video: The art of observation. This video shows me painting live at a market, with a woman curiously looking at my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3c7bb492-6cbe-4878-9e1e-5abcf19cd01c) - [Video: What I hear when I paint outside. This video captures the ambient sounds of a flower market, which become the soundtrack to my creative process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/66f2c5e2-c1d3-4aa8-a16b-5bdf0aff8d9e) - [Video: I got trapped at a bus stop in the rain, so I pulled out my sketchbook for some rapid sketching of the people around me. It was a fun and productive way to pass the time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/06220dda-f5c4-4f8f-86c6-0abe0edd60d4) - [Video: An artist's vacation. This montage shows me sketching and painting in various locations, from a bus stop in Bengaluru to natural landscapes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b426956d-aa1d-46f8-92f9-38b8fcbc8b9e) - [Video: Let's paint. This video shows me doing a live painting of a beautiful house, trying to capture the dancing lights and shadows.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/12095c75-f7c4-40eb-afb0-4fc37de508a6) - [Video: Sketching chalein? A quick pen sketch done with USK Bengaluru at Vidhana Soudha, showing that even a traffic-filled scene can be an inspiration.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eb1b42d6-9c80-4986-a76e-a2b1053c8f37) - [Video: I was totally unprepared for sketching live, but it turned out to be an exhilarating experience. This video shows some moments from that spontaneous adventure.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8bc08e3b-1c56-483a-b865-320f4aa28e9a) - [Video: Plein air painting at Nagarcoil Junction railway station. I had some time before my train and decided to do a quick painting of the evening light on the train.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3e74d7b1-bc6f-4178-8c9d-c8b1bfba7232) - [Video: Sunsets and trains are a perfect combo. I caught this fleeting moment at Nagarcoil station and couldn't resist a quick watercolor sketch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81312f52-0a07-46a0-b738-6e583cf009cc) - [Video: On my way back to Bangalore, I did a quick sketch of a green train I saw at Hosur station. It was a brief but rewarding moment of creativity during my journey.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c46421e0-9dc9-4e99-9d1a-05f7f384c2c0) - [Video: Let's paint 'Muriga Poo'. I did this painting of a drumstick plant flower from my home terrace, a common sight in Kerala households. It was a sunny day, but I enjoyed every stroke.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fbdb37b6-3205-4b01-be41-bab47142f29d) - [Video: A compilation of some of my favorite watercolor artworks, showcasing the joy of plein air painting and capturing the essence of different moments and places.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/554458db-b95d-4f0c-b824-51ac7bc06bbe) ## About Urban Sketching: The Soul of the City I don't just paint buildings; I try to capture the life around them. Whether I’m at the vintage Kamal Book Stall or the busy Church Street, I use waterproof pigment liners and vibrant gouache to catch the movement of the street. It’s never about making it look like a photograph, but about preserving the feeling of being there—the smell of old books, the buzz of traffic, and the joy of a quiet afternoon. ### More Than Just A Sketch When I work on location, it’s about 'en plein air'—painting outdoors and letting the environment dictate the flow. I use 300 GSM cold-press watercolor paper because it handles the texture of the city beautifully. Whether it is an A5 postcard sketch or a detailed A3 scene of your venue, I want the piece to feel alive. ### Why Live Sketching Works for Events Unlike a photo booth or a photographer snapping candids, a live sketcher offers passive entertainment that guests genuinely love to watch. It is a slow, rhythmic process. I set up my compact easel, pull out my paints, and over 3 to 4 hours, a blank page becomes a narrative of your event. Guests often stop by, chat, and see themselves or the venue take shape on paper. It is a conversation starter. ### The Process & Practicalities I prefer a spot with a clear line of sight to the focal point of your event. If we are indoors, I just need a chair and a well-lit corner. I bring everything else—waterproof pigment liners for those crisp, urban lines, and quick-drying gouache for the vibrant colors. Everything is handled with care; your finished piece is signed, dried, and handed over in a protective sleeve before I leave. Whether you are hosting a cafe meetup in Bengaluru or a festival somewhere else, let’s bring the scene to life on paper. **Commonly Asked:** - **Style:** Urban sketch style featuring loose ink lines with vibrant watercolor washes. These are artistic impressions, not hyper-realistic portraits. - **Turnaround:** I complete roughly 8 to 10 quick guest portraits per hour, or one detailed venue scene over 3 to 4 hours. ## About Basit Hey, I’m Basit. I didn’t go to art school, but YouTube taught me how to see the world differently. I’m just a Kerala boy living in Bangalore who loves turning noisy city corners into quiet, colorful memories. Sketching chalein? [See all of Basit's services](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in) ## More from Live Art & Event Sketching by Basit - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/featured) - [Live Portraits: Capturing Faces & Feelings](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/live-portraits-capturing-faces-feelings) - [On-Location Landscapes: Beaches, Parks & Nature](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/on-location-landscapes-beaches-parks-nature) - [Food & Cafe Stories](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/food-cafe-stories) - [Events & Community: Sketching Together](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/events-community-sketching-together) - [The Artist's Journey: Process, Tips & Travels](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/live-art-event-sketching/the-artist-s-journey-process-tips-travels) ## More services by Basit - [Watercolor Workshops](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/watercolor-workshops) - [Art Prints & Custom Commissions](https://mytribe.in/baasi.in/art-prints-custom-commissions) ## Similar work from other experts - [Live Sketching in Mumbai: Capturing the City’s Energy](https://mytribe.in/voyager_of_dreams/custom-illustration/live-sketching-capturing-mumbai-s-pulse) by Shirish Ghatge · Custom Illustration · Available online; Based in Mumbai - [Urban Canvases: Painting Bangalore's Streets](https://mytribe.in/kum_kum_art/live-event-painting/urban-canvases-painting-bangalore-s-streets) by Kum Kum Art · Live Event Painting · Travels to venues in Bengaluru - [Indian Street Scenes in Watercolor](https://mytribe.in/debolina_majumdar0102/original-art-for-sale/glimpses-of-india-streets-and-stories) by Debolina Majumdar Yadav · Original Art for Sale · Based in Bengaluru; Ships across India - [Custom Mumbai Street Sketches & Hand-Drawn Illustrations](https://mytribe.in/youknowhertoo/custom-illustrations-artwork/mumbai-meri-jaan-sketches-of-my-city) by Divya Bhatia · Custom Illustrations & Artwork · Available online & across India; Studio in Goregaon West - [Travel Sketchbook: Capturing Memories & Stories in Watercolour](https://mytribe.in/a_new_pama/custom-artwork-murals/travel-sketchbook-painting-the-world-one-page-at-a-time) by Anupama · Custom Artwork & Murals · Travels for mural projects across Delhi NCR and pan-India - [Hand-Painted Landscape and Cityscape Art](https://mytribe.in/fxz.01/custom-artwork-portraits/landscapes-cityscapes-painting-the-world) by Mohammad Faizan · Custom Artwork & Portraits · Ships custom artwork across India ## Book To book Basit, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Basit!%20Loved%20your%20urban%20sketches%20of%20Bangalore.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20getting%20a%20live%20sketch%20done%20for%20an%20event.%20Let's%20talk%3F)