What do you do if you have time, a paper and pen in hand? It is an irresistible urge to start sketching. World Sketchnote Day is celebrated every year on January 11. The word ‘sketchnotes’ is a composition of the English words for ‘sketch’ and ‘notes’. Sketchnotes can be created for simple instructions, recipes (sketchipes), and travel memories in sketch form, to-do, and shopping lists. The current trend observed in Goa is urban sketching. With visually intriguing and charming scenes in every part of Goa, the exercise of urban sketching can be great for remember better and collect information about the place as well as the sense of the atmosphere at that particular moment in time.
Urban Sketchers Goa (USk Goa) is the official chapter of the Urban Sketchers, an international not-for-profit organisation and community of sketchers. Darpana Athale is the founding admin of USk Goa, a group that has been active since 2017, and was officially registered in November 2018. Speaking about the group, Darpana says, “We have been conducting sketch meets, sketch walks and also a few workshops. 2023 marked five years of USk Goa. The Sketch Meets are open to all, and there is no registration fee, nor any skill requisites. The meets are casual as we come together, sketch and then if time permits, at the end of the meet, have some chai together.”
Urban Sketching means to draw on location, and including the context. Not from photographs, memory or imagination. One can use any medium, be it pen or pencil, or watercolours, oil, charcoal, digital etc. The idea is to come together, spend some time sketching, which is almost like a no-stress meditation or fun activity, and learn from each other through the interactions. “We have collaborated with institutions, organisations like GHAG and tourism groups like Excalamations Goa to conduct sketchwalks. We also support causes – like ‘Mhadei Aamchi Mai’ event, or are invited to sketch particular sites or places,” says Darpana.
Urban Sketchers as a community is very active, as they have symposiums and sketch festivals in India and abroad. Their members in Goa range from the age of five to 70. They also host groups of sketchers from other parts of the world, when they are visiting Goa. “We have had groups from Pune, Belgaum come regularly to Goa, and also individual sketchers from around the globe. We have about 60 members in the Whatsapp group, and around 300 on Facebook. Not all are necessarily professional artists as our group members come from diverse backgrounds and different age groups,” explains Darpana.
They meet every Sunday, but alternate morning and evening, to include as many people as possible. The theme is the place/site. And within that, the options to sketch are plenty – one can sketch the architecture, activities, people, streets, elements or even food.
Vaibhav Salgaonkar is known for his versatility in the art fraternity in Goa. He has been a part of several fests as well as a regular at the Saligao Tuesday Market with his art. He got interested in sketching with the group in March and tried the art form from his regular digital art. “I eventually joined the group during the ‘Together for Mhadei’ event which was held near Yog Sethu in Panjim to reignite my old passion for hand drawn sketches. The best thing about the sketch meets was meeting and interacting with new artists. Observing and experimenting different art styles into the sketches was a key part. The main rule of an urban sketch is to sketch live at that very place. It feels like a fun challenge and you get better at it overtime. We have our sketch meets every Sunday so it’s a nice past time rather than sitting at home and doing nothing. I have been sketching whenever I visit any place, I carry a small pocket sized sketch book and a pen around,” says Vaibhav.
Each of the artists have a different way of looking at a scene or something, even when sitting in the same location. Therefore, what is sketched is unique, and no two sketches are alike. Apart from that the medium, size of canvas or paper, or how much of one scene is taken varies from person to person, so that too brings a variety. Artists prefer mediums like pen and ink, as well as watercolours are more popular. Some sketchers who explore oils or acrylics, digital, etc.
“Sketching with Urban Sketchers on location, around different places all over Goa has made me appreciate Goa’s beauty even more by discovering small details that we miss out in everyday life. At the end of the meet, when we share our work, I love seeing how the same location is interpreted differently in everyone’s sketches. Sundays are fundays with Urban Sketching,” says Leandra Fernandes
Andrea Fernandes was first introduced to Urban Sketching when she participated in a sketch walk as part of the Goa Heritage Walk Festival and has been hooked ever since. “It involves sketching everything in the vicinity of the subject with any medium of your choice. I usually paint using acrylic or oils, which are not really suitable for a quick sketch. I had to step out of my comfort zone and try ink and watercolor, which was a challenge I was ready to take on. With each sketch meet, I experimented, learnt and developed my own sketch style. You learn something new and improve as you go with every sketch. I got to visit so many places in Goa and observe details you would normally overlook. It’s also a good opportunity to meet people from different walks of life and from different locations and backgrounds. Overall, it’s been a very pleasant and creative experience,” says Andrea.
“As an architect, one should know how the building feels, how the people use the space and I found a way to feel space, and understand community or building with the help of sketching. For me, it’s a learning, for every time I sketch live, I learn and experience the space, colour combinations, lights etc. which help me grow my skills to design better architecture. Sketching is a therapy to relax and freshen the mind. While sketching on streets and outdoor it feels me more open to people and I like that people come around me and appreciate the work and have smile on their faces which helped to connect with the community,” says Sarth Bakare, who started his journey as urban sketcher three years back.
As a group, Urban Sketchers are very inclusive, interactive and learn from, as well as help each other. This creates a safe and stress-free environment for all. “This has encouraged people of all age groups and all kinds of skill sets to be part of the group. Right now, it’s the youngsters who are taking the lead to set up sketch meets, to document them and make videos and reels, and to include more people to join our meets,” concludes Darpana.
All it takes to celebrate Sketchnote day is a piece of paper and a pen or your favourite colours.
