People, Portraits & Characters in My Sketchbook
I find that places are defined by the people in them. From market vendors to cafe regulars, I love sketching the faces and gestures that make Mumbai feel like home.
Quick pencil caricatures of my fellow artists during a sketch meet. These were fun, spontaneous portraits to capture their personalities while they were focused on their own art.
A compilation of my live drawing sessions, featuring quick ink sketches of musicians and speakers. This is a great exercise in capturing gestures and poses quickly and confidently.
A pen and ink sketch of a father and son playing a game. I was drawn to the quiet concentration and the story being told in that simple, shared moment.
A sketchbook page filled with people I spotted at a Caffe Nero. I love observing and drawing people engrossed in their own worlds, working on laptops or just chatting.
A watercolor sketch focusing on a vegetable vendor at a local market. I wanted to capture the gesture of him arranging his produce, a moment of care in his daily work.
A digital illustration of a group of women on a nature walk, looking up at the trees with binoculars. This piece celebrates the joy of shared discovery and curiosity.
A close-up of my watercolor sketch of the Ladakhi grandmother. I focused on her gentle expression and the skilled movement of her hands as she spun the wool.
An experimental digital sketch in blue, playing with perspective and the idea of drawing a scene within a scene. It shows me sketching my husband as he works on his laptop.
A full sketchbook spread featuring a guitarist in his studio, surrounded by his art. The warm lighting and cozy atmosphere were just as important to capture as the musician himself.
A close-up of my Caffe Nero sketches, with my coffee cup in the frame. This image really captures the feeling of a typical afternoon spent sketching in a cafe.
About People, Portraits & Characters
When I draw people, I avoid the stiff, forced poses. I prefer catching those split-second moments—the deep focus of someone working on a laptop, or the way a vendor’s hands move as they set up their stall. It is about capturing a personality, not just a facial structure, which makes for a much more authentic piece of art.
My approach to portraiture and character sketching is less about photographic accuracy and more about capturing the 'vibe' of the person in front of me. Whether I am doing a quick pencil caricature at a sketch meet or a detailed watercolor portrait of a vendor, I am always looking for the story behind the expression.
My Process
I often work with a mix of mediums—pen and ink for those quick, expressive lines, and watercolors to add a bit of warmth or mood. If you are looking for custom illustrations or caricatures, I start by asking for a few photos or hearing a little bit about the person, so I can include details that actually matter to them.
Live Sketching for Events
This is one of my favorite things to do. If you have an event, I can come over and sketch quick, quirky portraits of your guests. It’s not just about the final drawing; it’s about the interaction and the fun of watching the sketch come to life in minutes. It makes for a great keepsake that your guests can take home.
Custom Commissions
If you want a portrait that feels real, let's talk. I can do digital illustrations, watercolor, or even classic pencil sketches. Just let me know what you have in mind—whether it's a gift for a loved one or a portrait of your pet—and we can figure out the best style to capture that memory.
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