My Travel Sketchbook: Hand-Drawn Memories in Ink and Watercolor
From the quiet corners of Chikmagalur to the bustling paths of Cubbon Park, my sketchbook captures the soul of the places I visit. These are not just drawings; they are personal memories frozen in ink.
A video montage from my visit to Kavimane in Kuppalli, the ancestral home of the great poet Kuvempu. It shows me sketching the beautiful traditional house on location, connecting with the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka.
A video capturing the breathtaking sight of the Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom only once every 12 years in the hills of Chikmagalur. I was there with my sketchbook to capture the rare beauty of the moment.
My watercolor sketch of the Neelakurinji flowers, held up against the misty, purple-blanketed hills where they bloom.
A closer look at my Neelakurinji watercolor painting in my sketchbook, with my paint palette resting on the grass beside it.
Sketching in Bengaluru's iconic Cubbon Park. My open sketchbook sits on a park bench, with my drawing mirroring the real life path and trees in front of me.
A close up of my Cubbon Park sketch, with the actual park path visible in the background. I've added touches of color to capture the greenery and the sky.
My travel art kit, with my sketchbook open to the Cubbon Park drawing. This shows the simple tools I carry with me to be able to create art wherever I go.
My sketchbook held up against the cloudy sky and coconut trees of Varkala beach. The pen and watercolor sketch captures the iconic cliffside path and the sea.
Another view of my Varkala sketch, this time with the red earth path in the foreground, showing how the drawing reflects the real location.
A page from my travel journal, featuring a sketch of a beautiful homestay in Chikmagalur alongside some motivational stickers. My journal is a mix of art and memories.
About My Travel Sketchbook
I choose to draw on location instead of working from photos because the humidity, the smell of rain in Chikmagalur, and the noisy rhythm of a busy street in Bengaluru add a soul to the art that a screen just cannot replicate. Each sketch here is a small, imperfect record of a specific moment, a piece of 'rahasya' (mystery) frozen in ink for you to see.
Art is my escape, and my sketchbook is my constant companion. Whether I am sitting in Cubbon Park or exploring the coast of Udupi, I am not just observing, I am documenting the character of the place. I use fine-liner pens for precision and watercolors to bring out the light. My process is simple and immediate. I set up my kit, observe the light and shadows, and let the lines flow.
Why choose on-location sketching? Unlike studio work, these drawings carry the spontaneity of the moment. They are authentic and raw, much like the places they depict. Whether it is the ancestral home of Kuvempu or the iconic cliffs of Varkala, I focus on capturing the feeling of the space, not just the architecture.
If you are looking for a unique keepsake or a personalized gift, these sketches offer a depth that digital prints often miss. I work with high-quality, archival paper so that your memories stay vibrant for years. From detailing the architectural nuances of a heritage homestay to capturing the whimsy of a fishing boat in Malpe, I bring a personal touch to every commission. Let us create something that speaks to your own travel stories and keeps those memories alive on your walls.
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