--- title: "Travel Sketching Lessons: Capture Scenes with Urban Artist Divya" description: "Learn travel sketching with Divya. From Boston streets to Ladakh landscapes, master urban sketching and watercolor techniques in my Mumbai-based art workshops." canonical: https://mytribe.in/youknowhertoo/art-workshops-classes/art-from-afar-boston-beyond last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # Art from Afar: Travel Sketching and Urban Scenes Tribe Verified · Artist with extensive urban sketching experience By [Divya Bhatia](https://mytribe.in/youknowhertoo) · Online & in-person workshops across Mumbai; Studio in Goregaon West · ₹750 Per Participant (estimate) Part of [Art Workshops & Classes](https://mytribe.in/youknowhertoo/art-workshops-classes). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/youknowhertoo/art-workshops-classes/gallery) While Mumbai is my home, my sketchbook travels with me everywhere. From Boston winters to Ladakh’s mountains, here is how I use urban sketching to capture the soul of any place. ## Photos and videos - ![My watercolor sketch of Boston University's Data Science building, also known as the Jenga building. I love tackling challenging architecture, and this was a fantastic subject.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0269726a-b929-484f-80ed-525112fc4adf) - ![My first time painting snow! This is a sketch of a quiet, snow-covered backyard in Somerville, Boston, held up against the actual scene. It was a magical experience capturing the cool light and shadows.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1fcde94f-bb3e-49d0-94b4-a916349a1ca7) - ![A watercolor sketch capturing the giant red Christmas baubles at the Prudential Center in Boston. The contrast of the bright ornaments against the bare winter trees made for a striking composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8caf19ae-941e-4aae-9b33-50759f2962e8) - ![A detailed watercolor and ink sketch of the magnificent Cambridge Public Library. I focused on the beautiful architectural details of the entrance and the texture of the old stone.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8bcfe701-8747-4d38-8464-f8e81d9b341d) - ![A watercolor portrait of a Ladakhi grandmother, or 'Amma Le', spinning yarn from yak wool. Meeting her and hearing her stories was a highlight of my trip, a moment I had to capture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72795681-d880-4088-ba56-747113cb3ad8) - ![A monochrome blue watercolor painting of a palace in Jaisalmer, held up against the golden fort. This shows how you can use a limited color palette to create a powerful, moody piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7ce6d24c-eb92-4960-99f1-a7931aa25e39) - ![It's burger time! A colorful sketch of a person enjoying a meal at the Time Out Market in Boston. Capturing everyday moments in a new city is a great way to feel connected to it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c59075e3-49e1-40ff-98d3-b8e79af28510) - [Video: A process video showing my monochromatic sketch of Cafe Waltham in Boston coming to life. It starts with a simple pencil outline and builds up with ink washes to create depth and character.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/acbb6f80-8433-4c34-85b2-00e06ca867d2) - [Video: A compilation of my sketches from various locations in Boston and beyond. This reel gives a quick tour of my sketchbook, from snowy backyards to cafe conversations.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e272beea-89b1-41bb-8806-aed8aade0ca9) - [Video: An art reveal video of my Cambridge Public Library sketch. It’s always satisfying to see the final piece come together after spending time observing and drawing on location.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/23d0092e-8d24-4320-9126-7218fcbe460e) - ![A sketch from inside Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co. in Boston. I incorporated their squirrel logo into the drawing for a playful touch, blending my art with the branding of the space.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d4db76e-07fa-4d4d-a2c0-74bb5709b98d) - ![Another angle of the Mighty Squirrel sketch, showing the details of the menu boards and the people waiting in line. Cafes are fantastic places for people-watching and sketching.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/003bc6d4-82e6-4e8b-b93a-0070b7ae7e14) - ![A tilted view of the cafe sketch, highlighting the perspective and depth. Learning to draw perspective is a key skill we cover in my workshops to make your scenes more dynamic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4eee558e-ef9b-4a75-abb5-ec55bfb24960) - ![A collage-style sketchbook spread from my visit to the Harvard Art Museums. I combined different elements from the museum, like sculptures and architecture, into a single composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4ba82def-ef83-47c5-9ece-71fa2b857fc3) - [Video: A short video showing the process of a pencil sketch of a house I saw while traveling. My sketchbook and a simple pencil are all I need to keep my artist self company on the road.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/de22f966-4d4a-4619-bb06-176859aa95e7) - [Video: A before-and-after video of my Christmas sketch in Boston. It starts with the real-life view of the decorations and ends with my finished watercolor piece, showing the transformation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ebb82c47-2536-4db1-b98f-a4b83466ba4c) - ![A close-up of the finished watercolor sketch of the Prudential Center decorations. I used white gouache to add the sparkling snow effect on the ornaments and trees.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d6da88a1-67dd-40c8-99cf-6631aad878cd) - ![A sketchbook spread featuring a musician I saw at the Brickbottom Artists community in Somerville. It was an inspiring place where artists live and create together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/640c0153-9dde-4248-9970-8f753f36e49b) - ![A work-in-progress shot of my painting of the BU Data Science building. You can see my watercolor palette and the initial layers of color being applied to the paper.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dc7372f6-edb3-4f61-a52f-06b1f083c7e5) - ![The final, scanned version of my painting of the 'Jenga building'. The vibrant greens of the park create a beautiful contrast with the metallic and terracotta colors of the architecture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2fe96ac-2b7b-44d0-aa89-33dbd00f1aca) ## About Art from Afar: Boston & Beyond When I am sketching abroad, like in Boston or Ladakh, I do not aim for perfect architectural blueprints. I focus on the vibe, capturing the way the light hits a snowy backyard or the specific rhythm of a cafe. If you join my workshops, we use this same on-the-go approach to simplify complex city scenes so you do not feel intimidated by a blank page. Whether I am sitting at a cafe in Boston with fellow artists or capturing the quiet resilience of a grandmother in Ladakh, the principle remains the same. It is about deep observation. Travel sketching is not about producing a photograph. It is about documenting how a place feels to you. In my sessions, we deconstruct these scenes. We look at the Data Science building not as a complex structure, but as a series of simple shapes and value contrasts. I teach you how to translate those 3D spaces into 2D sketches using light, shadow, and minimal watercolor washes. ### Why this matters for your art * **Seeing vs. Looking:** Most people look at a building. Artists see the lines. I help you train your eye to spot the geometry in everyday architecture. * **Simplification:** Learn to use a limited color palette, like that monochrome blue for the Jaisalmer fort, to create mood without overcomplicating things. * **On-the-go tools:** I advocate for light, portable kits. Sketching should be a habit, not a burden. Whether you are looking to build your travel journal or just want to capture the streets of Mumbai with a fresh perspective, my workshops focus on this 'see, simplify, sketch' method. It is accessible, it is messy, and it is always fun. We learn by doing, and every sketch tells a story about where we have been and what we loved. ## About Divya Bhatia I am Divya. I believe that wherever you are, a sketchbook and a pen are all you need to turn a moment into a memory. I do not just teach art. I help you find your own way of seeing the world, one sketch at a time. 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