Behind My Art: Process, Sketchbooks & Coffee Paintings
I believe art is about showing up. Here is a look at my sketchbook pages, the wall murals I am currently painting, and the coffee-based techniques I use to turn memories into illustrations.
This is a more personal video about my art journey and holding myself accountable. I talk about projects I've started, like the wall mural behind me, and my goal to share more of my process with you all.
A flip-through of my ongoing sketchbook. I use it to practice, experiment, and just get ideas down on paper without pressure. You can see a mix of full-page illustrations and smaller, quicker doodles.
A flip-through of my summer sketches. This sketchbook is filled with cafe drawings from my workshops, doodles, and the coffee cart painting that led to a huge canvas commission.
The beginning of my wall mural project. My friend and I started this together, turning a blank wall in my workspace into a large-scale piece of art.
Just some calm vibes of me working on the large coffee canvas painting. The process of painting is very meditative for me.
A satisfying video of me packing a custom order. I use simple brown paper and twine, and always include a hand-painted thank you card.
The packaging for a custom order, which included a graphite portrait and a coffee-painted photo strip. The brown paper wrapping and hand-painted card are part of the experience.
A close-up of the packaging details. You can see the custom card with a handwritten note, ready to be sent to its new home.
A live sketch I did while scouting a cafe for a potential workshop. I first did the line work and then added watercolor values to give it depth.
This is a transition video of a detailed floral page in my sketchbook. It took days to complete, filling the entire spread with different types of flowers.
About Behind the Art: My Process & Sketchbook
My coffee-painting technique uses a 100% natural coffee solution, which creates unpredictable, warm sepia tones that differ with every layer. I pair this with waterproof fine-liners on 300 GSM watercolor paper to ensure the artwork is archival and looks distinct from standard ink drawings.
Art is often seen as a polished, final product, but my process is usually a bit messier. Whether I am filling my sketchbook at a local Mumbai cafe or working on a large-scale wall mural, I try to keep the experience grounded.
My sketchbook is my primary tool for experimentation. You will see a mix of urban sketching, where I capture city scenes in real-time, and more detailed illustrations. I use this space to test new ideas without the pressure of perfection. This habit of sketching daily is also what helped me complete my 30-day challenge, where I produced 24 realistic charcoal and graphite sketches.
When I move to custom work, I apply these same lessons. My coffee-painted photo strips and bookmarks are popular because they carry that same warm, organic feel. I use 300 GSM watercolor paper because it handles the moisture of the coffee wash without warping, and I finish every piece with a UV-resistant varnish to keep the color stable over time.
If you see something here that sparks an idea, whether it is a mural for your workspace or a custom portrait, I am happy to chat about how we can make it happen.
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