Capturing Moments with Pen and Paper

It was a sunny afternoon during Ramadan in 2017. I was so bored that I randomly started sketching half of a sofa and a curtain at home. I had no idea that drawing simple things around me could be so enjoyable and memorable. This was a few years before I discovered a really cool community, the Urban Sketchers.

I’ve always been fascinated by people who share their urban sketches on social media. Like photography, urban sketching captures a moment in time, only with your art kit instead of a camera. You just go with the flow, no rules.

When I sketch, I start noticing the artistic side of things I’d usually overlook, like the furniture at home or flowers blooming in the yard.

One of them is what we call “kembang kantil” in Indonesia. It has a strong yet calming fragrance. I waited patiently for it to bloom so I could sketch it, and now that moment is one I won’t forget.

Like many others, I’ve also sketched while traveling. One of the best memories was in Pesisir Barat, Lampung, Indonesia. It’s a popular surfing spot, with beaches everywhere. You’ll even see dogs and cows casually walking along the certain shore.

Another sketch I didn’t expect to make was in a hospital. It was in Pringsewu, Lampung, Indonesia. I was there to keep someone company and decided to take a walk for some fresh air. It felt oddly relaxing, watching people go about their busy day, seeing the plants and buildings, then capturing all of that on paper.