Hand-drawn City Stories and Urban Illustrations
My art captures the chaotic, colourful energy of city life. From Mumbai’s iconic BEST buses and Kali Peelis to architectural gems abroad, these illustrations turn urban memories into patterns for your walls, home goods, and prints.
A little animation bringing my doodle of the iconic red Mumbai BEST bus to life. The city's transport is a huge part of its identity, and I love capturing these everyday icons with a touch of colour and whimsy.
The classic Mumbai Kali Peeli taxi, reimagined in my signature style. This doodle is a tribute to countless journeys through the city, filled with colour, hearts, and the 'For Hire' sign that's a familiar sight to every Mumbaikar.
No Mumbai story is complete without the auto-rickshaw. This illustration captures the vibrant, decorated look of our city's favourite three-wheeler, set against a dynamic, patterned road. It’s a celebration of movement and energy.
My cats enjoying their scratcher featuring my 'Mumbai Meri Jaan' print. It’s fun to see elements of the city, like the auto-rickshaws and old buildings, become a piece of functional art right in my living room.
A detailed glimpse of an illustration inspired by Singapore's beautiful architecture. For this project with House of Happy, I focused on capturing the intricate details of the shophouses, blending line art with soft watercolours.
About City Stories: Mumbai, Singapore & More
When I create these city-themed prints, I do not just trace a reference photo. I look for the tiny quirks, like the 'For Hire' sign on a taxi, the specific pattern of a BEST bus seat, or the intricate details of a Singaporean shophouse. We usually start with a 1-hour video session where you tell me the story behind the location, and from there, I build the motifs so the final pattern feels like a personal diary entry rather than a generic cityscape.
How Your City Story Becomes Art
Every illustration I draw starts with a conversation. Whether you want to capture the energy of a specific Mumbai neighbourhood or the architecture of a city you visited on holiday, I turn those memories into high-density doodle art.
My process is simple:
- The Story: We talk about what the location means to you. Is it the noise of the traffic? The quiet of a specific alley? These details go into the final print.
- The Design: I digitize my hand-drawn motifs to create seamless patterns that work perfectly for wallpaper, textiles, or stationery.
- The Result: You get a high-resolution, print-ready file (PSD or TIFF) that you can use with your vendors for home decor, fashion, or commercial products.
Where My Urban Patterns Work Best
These designs are versatile. I have helped clients apply my city stories to:
- Interior Decor: Feature walls, living room wallpaper, and even bathroom tiling.
- Soft Furnishings: Cushion covers, upholstery fabrics, and runners that add a personal touch to your home.
- Personal Accessories: Custom prints for notebooks, gift wraps, or brand assets.
Technical Details
- Format: 300 DPI, print-ready files suitable for large-scale application.
- Timeline: Depending on the density of the illustration and the number of elements, these projects typically take between 2 to 4 weeks.
- Revisions: We include rounds of changes to ensure the characters and details are exactly how you imagined them.
If you have a specific city, building, or memory you want to immortalize, reach out via WhatsApp. Let's see if we can doodle it into something special.
Ishneet Ahluwalia
I am Ishneet. Mumbai’s chaos, from our Kali Peelis to the BEST buses, is the heartbeat of my art. I love turning these urban stories into patterns that make your home feel alive and deeply personal.
Looking for a different style?
You can search through my other collections to find the perfect fit.
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