Photos of October Sketchwalk

Sketching not only brings us to places we don't normally go, sketching also brings the sketchers together over a nice breakfast at the coffee shop at block 34 and a satisfying dim sum lunch at Red Star Restaurant, Chin Swee Estate.

A Sketch on Chin Swee

I joined the October Sketchwalk at Chin Swee orgainsed by Urban Sketchers Singapore this morning. I added the State Courts Towers on the left at home to give this piece a sense of wide space. The original State Courts which was the white building on the left was done on location.

The focal point of this piece is block 34 of Chin Swee Estate in the Chinatown area next to People’s Park Complex and opposite the States Courts. The other two blocks are block 51 and 52 that are connected by a multi-storey carpark. I do like this old mature HDB estate.

Daler Rowney Watercolour Papers
Size: 700 x 350mm

October Sketchwalk at Chin Swee

Hi Sketchers!

This weekend we're heading to Chinatown (Chin Swee)!

Nestled on the edge of Chinatown, the Chin Swee area offers an interesting mix of Singapore's old and new. From heritage shophouses and colourful façades to distinctive high-rise buildings, street scenes and everyday neighbourhood life.

Landmark to look out for:
-People's Park Complex
-Block 34 Upper Cross Street
-C.E.P Clock & Parts

Important sketching note: Please do not sketch or sit near the State Courts, out of consideration for security concerns. Avoid drawing the building itself or any security-sensitive features. There are plenty of other interesting subjects around the neighbourhood to explore!

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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date: 31 Oct 2026
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Nearest MRT Station: Chinatown MRT

Meeting Point: Jalan Besar Town Council Kids Playground
Show and Tell: Block 51/52 Chin Swee Lvl 4 Void deck

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/K7BUB6594fRsQfCa7

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𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:
9.30am: Short brief at meeting point.
9.40am: Free and easy sketch
12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell
12.15pm: Show and Tell
12.30pm: End

*Please note that location of Briefing and Show and Tell may subject to change if weather changes. Admin will edit location on this post if any changes.

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𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲:
By participating this Event, you agree with the followings:
1. My participation in this Event is entirely voluntary.
2. I am aware of and agree to assume any and all risks which might be associated with the Event and I will not hold Urban Sketchers Singapore (USkSG) and any admin/organiser responsible or liable in any way for and will not commence any action arising from the Event, or claim for any loss and/or damage (including, without limitation, personal injury and/or property damage) caused by or sustained as a result of my participation in the Event.
3. I will indemnify USkSG and keep USkSG indemnified against all losses, claims, demands, actions, proceedings, damages, costs, expenses, and any other liability arising in any way from my participation in the above Event.
4. For participant under 18 years old, his/her parent/guardian are aware and agree to the above clauses.
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𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:
1. Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
2. Challenge yourself to explore hidden corners that hasn't been seen/drawn yet; this will also help prevent too many of us crowding the same perching points.
3. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
4. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
5. Happy sketching!!
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𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀:
Event photo from Pei Yi

Block 497 Tampines

I joined "I Jio You Sketching!" to sketch at the remote part of Tampines. This block of public housing was the FIRST HDB project designed by PT consultant, a private architectural firm in collaboration with Kajima from Japan. Post modern typology and motifs. I just simplified the elaborate motifs with diamond shapes.

Daler Rowney Watercolour Papers
Size: 350 x 350mm

Reflections at Keppel Bay

Back to basic. Morning 10 minutes pen sketch to start the day while we had our family staycation at Resort World Sentosa. It was a very hazy day but I could still see Reflections, the luxurious condominum at Keppel Bay from Sentosa. It was designed by Daniel Libeskind, the world renowned architect known for deconstruction typology in architect and the architect for creating the World Trade Center Memorial masterplan. The local architect for Reflections was DCA Architects.

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm

Lau Lim Meepok

This was done last week when it was not too hazy and we could go out and eat our favourite Lau Lim Meepok (noodles) at Tanjong Katong.

Their corporate colour is orange, the t-shirt, bowls and logo etc. So I put the orange colour on the maneki-neko (招き猫), or "beckoning cat" or "cash cat" at the counter .

The cat is a traditional figurine placed near cash registers, shop entrances, and offices to attract wealth, good fortune, and customers. Fun fact is that right paw raised it attracts money and wealth whilst left paw raised it Invites customers, guests, or friends into a business.

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm

Video at Jimmy Monkey

Sketching at One North

Sketching brings us to places we don't normally go!

Today's location was such a place at Jimmy Monkey at One North. I did two sketches, one on food Cafe Sketchers Singapore and one on the interior, I Jio You Sketching!

I had Shasuka and a long black. It was so yummy.

"Shakshouka is a Maghrebi dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, and garlic, commonly spiced with cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Shakshouka is a popular dish throughout North Africa and the Middle East."

Muji Sketchbook
Size: 185 x 185mm

Asian Civilisations Museum

After the guided tour on "Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road" at the Asian Civilisations Museum, I sat on the bench and did a quick sketch on this huge and colourful display called "Makara palanquin ornament".

Extract: "Makara palanquin ornament, Malay Peninsula, Pattani. 18th or 19th century. Jackfruit tree wood, zinc, brass and copper plates."

"The makara is the vehicle of the Hindu river goddess Ganga. It is a composite creature with features of a crocodile, fish, goat and elephant. The form harks back to the Hindu-Buddhist pasts of the now-Muslim communities along the north-eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. Despite its origins, it is still seen as a water spirit and symbolises fertility.

This one is a rare surviving example of an ornament for a palanquin used in village ceremonies revolving around the circumcision of young boys."

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm

Baker & Cook

Quick doodles over a cup of coffee before the guided tour at ACM.

There was this group of 6 to 8 customers seemingly having an official meeting over some topics on research, displays and lighting etc. You could tell who was the boss. HA!

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm

A Breakfast Sketch

It's China's golden week and the tourists from China can be seen in our heartlands. The boy had a rather interesting hairstyle with clear shapes of cars shaved out from both sides of his head. The elder girl had interesting tiny plaits and colourful hair band. They were both staring at their electronic devices while mulching their french fries from the McDonald nearby and the parents were having local noodles.

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm

My favourite stall

My favourite stall at De Tian Coffee Shop, Marine Parade Central. The short young pretty Burmese lady was cooking at the counter and she was very efficient, hardworking and smart. She could speak very fluent Mandarin. The tall and older lady from China was at the cashier and helped in the kitchen.

Nude Sketchbook
Size: 290 x 145mm.