First class without grant

March 2026 I concluded my very first class at Brahm without the grant from National Silver Academy. This means that in future courses, the participants will have to pay a full fee with 20% discount for first 20 pax. I was very grateful for the continuing support given by these seniors new and old so I did a sketch of them while they were focusing on work to remember who's who in this class.

Group Photo at South Beach

Speed Sketching

I joined the fun today completing the bingo card by sketching all 4 locations at South Beach. This sketchwalk was the collaboration between Urban Sketchers Singapore and Marina Central Singapore. Most of us were like tourists in our own backyard when we explored South Beach. Esplanade Mrt Station Exit F was convieniently located at South Beach. We also had the opportunity to go up to the Sky Garden at level 21 of South Beach Tower which was normally out of bounds to the public.

I did 4 quick sketches on normal A4 cartridge papers to form a diagonal line on the bingo card on these 4 locations:
1. The wavy roofs of South Beach
2. Your art tools
3. View from Sky Garden (21F)
4. The Assembly (Conserved Building)

I got a sticker sheet for completing the bingo card! It was a fun-filled day of sketchathon at South Beach.

Process

I was teaching at NAFA on Monday and SUTD on Friday and it just happened both locations were the same at Waterloo Street for that week. I did not plan it that way and only realised it later. So I was able to use the same piece started as a demo to NAFA adult students on Monday then completed the demo piece to SUTD students on Friday that same week.

It just happened and it worked out so well.

March Sketchwalk at South Beach Tower

Hi Sketchers!

This month, in collaboration with @marinacentralsg , we’re headed to South Beach for our monthly sketchwalk! Located at Marina Central district, South Beach is a city landmark with a mix of heritage and modern, combining conserved buildings and skyscrapers under its distinctive canopy.

The sketchwalk is open to all so do come down and join us for the event!

——

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date: 28 March 2026
Time: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Nearest MRT stations: Esplanade, City Hall & Bugis
Meeting point: South Beach Fountain Plaza (street level, near Harry’s)
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/r3gegQ64rpAQS3JUA

——

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:
9.30am: Briefing at meeting point
9.45am: Free and easy sketch around South Beach
12pm: Pack up and make your way to Show & Tell
12.15pm: Show & Tell at meeting point
12.30pm: End

We’ll be giving out a special South Beach BINGO card and map to help guide you on the sketchwalk. Flash your BINGO card for entry to the Lvl 21 Sky Garden. Plus, all participants get to enjoy exclusive retail and dining discounts!

- 15% off at @pera_singapore
- 10% at @harryssingapore @southbeach.sg
- Free beverage with any food order at @cafeleitzsg
- Free reusable bag with $15 spend at Evergreen @sunteccity
- 20% off at @straitsartco

Please take note to sit in public or outdoor areas and avoid blocking pedestrians and patrons, so that we can make this a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone!

Event banner by @p_e_i_y_i

NAFA - Outdoor Sketching and Painting

4 sessions of Outdoor Sketching and Painting course were held every Monday from 2 to 23 Mar under NAFA's Centre for Learning Education (CLE). Here are some photos down the memory lane.

South Beach Tower

I conducted a sketching workshop organised by Urban Sketchers Singapore at 21st storey of South Beach Tower, the views from different angles of the building were so stunning!

Joo Chiat

I was conducting a make-up class for SUTD students on a Saturday morning outside Joo Chiat Community Centre. It coincided with the sketchwalk orgainised by I Jio You Sketching. I showed the students what and how to do quick thumbnail sketches before I settled down and did a long sketch on a accordion sketchbook gifted by 朱啟助繪旅行, a Taiwanese sketcher.

My Sketch at Objectifs

The yellow building at 155 Middle Road is a historic Gothic-style structure in Singapore that has evolved from a religious and educational institute into a prominent contemporary arts space. It is now occupied by Objectifs. Originally known as the Christian Institute, it was built between 1870 and 1875 by Charles Phillips, a British army officer, to serve as a Christian social centre.

Time Line from NLB:
1870s–1890s (The Christian Institute): The building was initially used for recreational activities and worship for young men. In 1891, it became the home of the Tamil Girls' School, which later evolved into the Methodist Girls' School.

1894–1930 (Middle Road Church): On 25 January 1894, it was inaugurated as the Malay Church, the first Straits Chinese (Peranakan) Methodist Church in Singapore. It was later known as the Middle Road Church.

1930 (Relocation): The congregation outgrew the space and moved to a new site at Kampong Kapor, becoming the Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.

WWII and Post-War (Diverse Commercial Uses): During the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), the building served as a Chinese restaurant named May Blossom Restaurant. Following the war, it was used as a motor workshop (Sin Sin Motor Co.) and later a budget hotel called Continental Hotel.

1990s–2014 (Sculpture Square): In 1993, the building was allocated under the National Arts Council's Arts Housing Scheme. From 1999 to 2014, it operated as Sculpture Square, Singapore's first dedicated venue for three-dimensional art.

2015–Present (Objectifs): It is currently the home of Objectifs – Centre for Photography and Film, a non-profit visual arts centre.

February Sketchwalk Group Photo

We welcome Urban Sketchers Busan joining us on this sketchwalk at Objectifs.

February Sketchwalk at Objectifs

 Hi Sketchers!

For our February sketchwalk, we'll be heading to Objectifs. This chapel-architecture building, now known as Chapel Gallery, has a fascinating history—it once housed the May Blossom Restaurant, served as the Methodist Girls’ School, and even operated as a car workshop.

While you are allowed to select your spot of choice, please avoid blocking the entrance of Objectifs when sketching. Do not touch the free standing installations in the courtyard to avoid damaging them.

Objectifs has also organised film & photography activities part of its signature Saturdate event from 1pm-6pm that you may browse after sketching. Please refer to @objectifscentre Instagram for more info.

See you there!

Event Details: Date: 28 Feb 2026
Event time: 9:30am - 12:15pm
Nearest MRT: Bugis, Bencoolen, Bras Basah
Meeting point: Courtyard outside Objectifs
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/U66bebYuvbkYtGjVA

𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:
9.30am: Briefing 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.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲:
By participating this Event, you agree with the followings:

My participation in this Event is entirely voluntary.
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.
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.
For participant under 18 years old, his/her parent/guardian are aware and agree to the above clauses.
𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:

Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain necessary distancing.
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.
Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output.
Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
Happy sketching!! 

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀:
Event banner by Zhu Zhanyan 

My Sketch at Chinatown 2026