Cafe Sketching at The Hainan Story

Result at July Sketchwalk

Fort Siloso is Singapore's only preserved coastal fort, located on Sentosa at Siloso Point. Built by the British in the 1880s and active through World War II, the fort now houses a military museum with original coastal guns, WWII tunnels, the Surrender Chambers, and the Fort Siloso Skywalk — a 181-metre elevated walkway through the treetops.

Sentosa as an island, was historically known as Pulau Blakang Mati, meaning "Island of Death Behind," due to rampant piracy, a devastating 1940s malaria outbreak, and WWII mass executions. More about Sentosa at:
https://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/things-to-do/attractions/fort-siloso/

Even the weather forecast was bad, sketchers still braved the rain and attended the official sketchwalk. For me, it was my first visit to this remote place but a must visit venue as Fort Siloso was officially gazetted as Singapore's 74th National Monument in 2022.

Concertina Sketchbook
Size: 520 x 210mm

July Sketchwalk at Fort Siloso

Hi Sketchers!

For July 2026's month end sketchwalk, we have a special collab sketchwalk with Sentosa to sketch at Fort Siloso.

This is your chance to hang out with some big guns and shoot the breeze while capturing scenes of Singapore’s fight for survival in the Second World War. There are lots of displays and exhibits scattered around the sprawling fort. You may check out their website and the map linked below to see some of the highlights.

We will gather at the start of the Heritage/Gun Trail where we will meet our hosts for a short welcome briefing before proceeding into the fort proper. We will gather at the Fort Siloso Square for our closing and show and tell.

(Fort Siloso map: https://www.sentosa.com.sg/.../fort-siloso-brochure...)

Bring your hats, umbrellas, sunblock, mozzie repellent, and lots of water. Shelter may be scarce in some areas.

More info on Fort Siloso:
https://www.sentosa.com.sg/.../attractions/fort-siloso/

Give yourself some time to make your way there. The best way is by the free internal shuttle Bus A from Beach Station. If you are driving, you can park at Beach Station Car Park.

Getting there:
- By Sentosa Express: Alight at Beach Station. Transfer to Sentosa Bus A or Beach Shuttle
- By Public Bus: Board Bus 123 and alight at Beach Station. Transfer to Sentosa Bus A or Beach Shuttle
- By Intra-Island Bus: Board Sentosa Bus A and alight at Siloso Point
- By Sentosa Beach Shuttle: Alight at Siloso Point

Nearest Car Park: Beach Station Car Park

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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date: 25 July 2026
Time: 9.30am - 12.15pm
Nearest MRT station: Harbourfront MRT
Meeting point: Fort Siloso Introduction at the end of the Skywalk (see map)
Throwdown location: Fort Siloso Square
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XFXsGVWvEHfd62wA6?g_st=ic
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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 (Fort Siloso Square)
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 banner by Hanna Esa

Collaboration with the Museum

The Changi Chapel Museum or CCM is managed by HeritageSG. HeritageSG is a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board (NHB), a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY).

You can find more details at this link: https://www.heritage.sg/changichapelmuseum

Closed in 2018 for a major redevelopment to enhance the museum’s infrastructure and content, CCM reopened its doors on 19 May 2021. Featuring donations and community loans from families of the internees, the museum showcases artefacts across galleries delving into the daily lives of the internees, their responses to the challenges they faced, and their eventual liberation.

The newly revamped Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) features new content and artefacts presented in an intimate and engaging format to tell the story of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation.The museum’s narrative is centred on remembrance and reflection, encouraging visitors to contemplate both the hardships that the internees underwent, as well as their courage and resilience in the face of difficulties.

For me, the most memorable section is the exhibits on "Life as POW". It depicts the day-to-day lives of those imprisoned in Changi. However, it was too 'clean' and 'polish' compared to the exhibits when I visited many years back before this major redevelopment.

Changi Chapel and Museum

Special Sketchwalk at Changi Chapel and Museum

Hi Sketchers,

This Saturday, we have a collaboration with Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) for our sketchwalk. The museum tells the stories of Prisoners of War and civilians interned there during the Japanese Occupation of World War II.

Our visit to CCM anticipates the Liberation of Singapore in September. Come see how the POWs lived and made life more liveable during their internment, from the chapel they built, the murals they painted, the journals they kept, the sketches they drew, and more. Come learn their stories of resilience and survival.

*** Please bring a form of ID for entry.

** Only dry media is allowed inside the museum including the chapel area. Wet media and paints are only allowed outside at the lawn. Markers and pens are counted as dry media, but please be careful not to stain the surroundings.

As this is a collaboration with CCM, there will be a briefing by our host and a short optional walkthrough. There will also be a roving photographer. If you would not like your photograph to be taken, please let the photographer know.

Stools are allowed in the galleries, but please spread out and avoid blocking other visitors or the walkways.

Please refrain from eating and drinking inside the museum.

See you there!

Directions and website: https://www.heritage.sg/changichapelmuseum

Visitor's Guide: https://www.heritage.sg/.../2025-ccm-eng-visitor-guide.pdf

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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date: 18 July 2026
Time: 10.00am - 12.15pm
Nearest MRT station: Tampines East or Upper Changi MRT
Meeting point: Changi Chapel Museum
Throwdown location: Changi Chapel Museum Lawn
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/98HkRefEMf7ExLYY7
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𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:
10.00am: Briefing at meeting point.
10.10am: Mini tour / Free and easy sketch
12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell
12.15pm: Show and Tell (Changi Chapel Museum Lawn)
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.
----------------
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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Photo Credit: Changi Chapel and Museum

Sketching Yacht

Sketching the yacht at Marina Keppel Bay on the second accordion sketchbook gifted by 朱啟助繪旅行, a Taiwanese sketcher.

Chuchichu Concertina Sketchbook
Size: 520 x 210mm

Marina Keppel Bay

A sketch last Saturday

Result of June Sketchwalk

I decided to just do a A4 sheet not on my pano sketchbook since I came very late. Also today I talked too much while sketching but it was fun catching up with friends over kopi and sketch at the same time. The linework is feathering not to my liking so I need to sketch faster.

Muse Watson watercolour papers 300gm, Japan. https://www.muse-paper.co.jp/
Size: 297 x 210mm

June Sketchwalk at Simpang Bedok

Hi Sketchers!

For June 2026's month-end sketchwalk, we'll be heading to Simpang Bedok. Once a traditional Malay village, the area has grown into a well-known food spot in eastern Singapore, especially for its late-night dining scene. Located near Tanah Merah MRT station, Simpang Bedok is home to a mix of eateries, from longstanding prata shops to newer concepts at Bedok Marketplace, making it an interesting neighbourhood to explore and sketch.

Please note that the show and tell location is tentatively a space outside at the side of Giant Supermarket (TBC on the day itself)

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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date: 27 Jun 2026
Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Nearest MRT station: Tanah Merah MRT
Meeting point: Simpang Bedok (near Giant Supermarket)
Throwdown location: Simpang Bedok - Space at the side of Giant Supermarket where theres no doors [TBC]
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bNYHidVDLSA4Das57
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𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆:
9.30am: Briefing at meeting point. (Near Giant Supermarket)
9.40am: Free and easy sketch
12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell
12.15pm: Show and Tell (Near Giant Supermarket)
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:
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.
----------------
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 banner by Mdm Tia

Video at Moonstone Lane