January Sketchwalk at Chinatown

Hi Sketchers!

For the first sketchwalk of 2026, we'll be welcoming the year of the horse at Chinatown! Feel free to walk around Chinatown and sketch the Chinese New Year decorations.  Just remember to gather outside Chinatown Point for Show & Tell.

Please take note to sit in public or outdoor areas and avoid blocking pedestrians or shoppers. Try not to sit inside the mall premises to avoid any issues with security.

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𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
Date: 31 Jan 2026
Event time: 9:30am – 12:15pm
Nearest MRT: Chinatown MRT
Meeting point: Open space outside Chinatown Point
https://maps.app.goo.gl/D1cNsYC212Jni72UA
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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 (Open space outside Chinatown Point)
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 Anita Ryanto @ Chinatown 2014. Horse year from 12 years ago

First Sketch of 2025 in Singapore

First Sketchwalk of 2025 at Chinatown also my first long sketch of the new year in Singapore. I have other long sketches done in Kluang, Simpang Reggam and Bekok during the recent sketch trip to Malaysia. I also have smaller sketches in my small square muji sketchbook. I was so busy this weekend and I have yet to prepare for reunion dinner on Tuesday and Chinese New Year on Wednesday but this is the first Sketchwalk for this year organised by Urban Sketchers Singapore which I started in 2009 so I tell myself I must attend to continue to build new memories with like-minded sketchers in Singapore.

Daler Rowney Watercolour Paper
Size: 680 x 240mm

What a HUGE turnout!

Year of the Snake

Decluttering before CNY

So busy as Chinese New Year is around the corner. I have not done any CNY shopping yet and there will be at least 30 people coming to my house on first day of Chinese New Year for lunch probably another group from my hubby side for dinner. Being the elderest child in my family, it will be the second year as a new tradition for CNY day one visitation after my father passed on in Jun 2023. The worst part of this is that I have yet to declutter all the stuff in my house. The stuff from my grown up children and from our offices after retirement. Last year we discarded our grandpiano of 30 years! This year we will get rid of the 4 violins before CNY. There are three in my house and one from my elder son's house to be sent over. All these years we were waiting for new owners for some valuable stuff but we are not good at selling so they might be thrown away eventually despite their values. These stuff had served us well so we are very thankful.

Our daughter's family is now clearing the Korean cabinet from their small living room in our house. That huge and heavy Korean cabinet will be discarded but not sure she can get it done before CNY.

Bring it on year of the snake!

Ad-hoc Sketchwalk at Chinatown

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Chinatown

Every year we will go down to Chinatown to sketch during Chinese New Year period. This morning the sketchwalk was arranged under a group called "I Jio You" and it was a huge turn out so one would mistaken it as our monthly big sketchwalk. Everyone was there to sketch and soak up the festive mood!

Today is also the first time we have a very nice stamp on the bottom left of my sketch, love it.

My Design

Welcoming Year of the Dragon

Result of January Sketchwalk

Trying to do a big format this morning and could only do so much but really enjoyed catching up and chatting with sketcher-friends as we all sat along the wall under the shelter when it was drizzling!

Work in progress

January Sketchwalk at Chinatown

Happy Chinese New Year Sketchers!

We are heading to Chinatown on 28 Jan (Sat).

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In light of the COVID situation, mask wearing is optional. We urge everyone to remain cautious. Let's all play a part to stay safe!
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Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM
Nearest MRT station: Chinatown MRT (DT19/NE4)
Meeting point: Entrance of Chinatown Point (around Starbucks area)

Address: 133 New Bridge Rd, Singapore 059413

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcay2WmViyamWfq59?g_st=ic

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𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆:
In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, be safe!

Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines. Thank you.

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Timeline for the day:
9.30am: Meeting point at entrance of Chinatown Point*

12pm: Start packing your things and make your way for Show & Tell

12.20-12.30pm: Entrance of Chinatown Point*

*Note that location of Short briefing and Show and Tell are subjected to change, depending on the weather for the day.
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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 Stephanie Ng

Chinese New Year Sketch

Happy Rabbit Year 2023

January Sketchwalk at Chinatown

Hi Sketchers! Happy New Year! We hope everyone have been well. Our first 2022 sketchwalk will be at Chinatown! CNY is around the corner. We understand that many of us will be busy with their preparations during this period. We have decided to move the usual sketchwalk (held on the last Saturday of the month) to a week earlier on 22nd Jan. In light of the COVID situation, we urge everyone to remain cautious, mask on at all times and keep to groups of 5 people maximum with a minimum distance of no less than 15m between each group.
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Time: 9:30AM - 12.30PM 

Nearest MRT: Chinatown 

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𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒆: In compliance to Government Covid safety guidelines, we can’t be congregating as a big group of sketchers. As such, we can sketch in small clusters of no more than 5 persons each, and there must be a minimum distance of no less than 15m between each cluster. Do watch out for crowds forming behind you when you draw. Remember: MASKS ON. Please strictly comply. USkSG (and our sketch leaders) will not be held responsible for any flouting of the above guidelines. Thank you.
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 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚: 

1. Arrange to meet fellow sketchers — 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝟓 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 — by posting the spot you plan to capture on the event wall; ask who's joining and discuss in the comments until you confirm your little quintet. And please have your face mask on at all times. 

2.Make your way to the location, be aware of surroundings, and maintain required distancing; remain in your separate groups. 

3. 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. 

4. Post your sketches, snapshots and videos online — 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 #𝐮𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐠 — so everyone can easily find the day's artistic output. 5. Some sketch leaders will go around to catch you in action for posts on Facebook and Instagram, so look out for them!
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Please note that there is no Show & Tell this month.

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𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒔: • Banner photo by Shirley Ho

Happy Lunar New Year 12022021

Happy Lunar New Year 2021

Hong Kong trip

Second Day of Lunar New Year

On the second day of Chinese New Year, the elders and cousins sat together and had a card game which is a tradition for my husband's extended family. This year, my husband's second aunt was seen on wheelchair and had some health issues plus depression. The game helped to cheer her up a little. Last year around the same time I did a sketch and she was healthy and upbeat.

Happy Lunar New Year 2011!

Card Games during Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year (CNY) or Lunar New Year this year starts with a reunion dinner on the eve of CNY. This is when family members return home from cities all over the world and get together for dinner. After dinner, family members will chat, play cards and mahjong. In the old days, firecrackers and fireworks would mark the official beginning of CNY at 12am sharp. However nowadays, firecrackers and fireworks are banned in many countries because of fire hazards.

On the first and second days of Chinese New Year, we visited relatives and friends especially the elders. The married adults will give children the red packets or 'ang bao'. Inside the red packets, they will be money to symbolize wealth and abundance for the children. Friendly gambling sessions are common during CNY and this sketch depicts one of these sessions among my relatives after some good foods and drinks including free flow of wines, beers and sake. After my last attempt on coffee ink which appeared as brown stains here, I used red wine for the patterns on the walls. Hope you like it as much as I do.

Last CNY, I did a sketch on lion dance.

Happy Lunar New Year 2010