HELLO SKETCHING FRIENDS!
How have you been? I hope this post finds you well. I just returned from a wonderful sketching trip to Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Towards the end you will see a video of all the sketches I made over 5 days. My last trip to Kuala Lumpur was in 2017 and this time I was really eager to revisit. I went with 3 other sketching friends and we spent most of our time exploring Chinatown and central core of KL. Very impressed with all the new developments and glad the old charming shophouses and historical buildings are still around. Oh I must not forget to mention the delicious Malaysian food! Big coffee culture and lots of cute cafes to explore too.
Now back to my new summer palette of colours that I have put together for my upcoming trip to Germany and France. Take a look at the palette and colour names below.
As the annual Urban sketchers symposium is happening this year in Toulouse, aka the pink city, I wanted to bring along colours that will help me bring out all the pretty jewel tones of this city. I have never visited Toulouse and this makes it even more exciting for me. When I think about pink, I think smoked salmon, blush, peaches, rouge, sunset, roses, pink lemonade, strawberries and the list goes on. I definitely want to use the colours to capture the summer light falling on the architecture in Toulouse. All colours you see here are from Daniel Smith.
A few other criteria and considerations are listed below.
Useful for pinkish/red buildings and brick walls.
Summer landscape (vibrant sunlit greens and fields).
Interesting shadow colours and ability to make deep warm/cool darks.
Useful for French pastries and desserts!
Mixable family of colours. How well do they play together?
New odd/awkward colours to stay curious and engaged.
ARRANGEMENT OF COLOURS
My palette of colours is like a musical instrument and the arrangement has to make sense for my sketching/painting process. I need the palette to encourage play and experimenting. You can see the squares of colours like a creative matrix with unlimited possibilities. I have increased the pan size to also allow larger brushes (Size 8-10) to easily caress and lick the colours. When I paint, I try to side swipe instead of stabbing the colours to ensure the brush points continue to stay sharp. Below you will see how I arrange and group my colours. Think like a musician. Soprano - Tenor - Bass.
I like how this palette of colours is throwing me curve balls and stops me from being routine and predictable. So far it has been fairly versatile and I can achieve a wide colour spectrum to cover most situations during travel. I will report back after my trip. Of course I will bring along 2 other palettes for teaching and my demonstration.
SHARE WITH ME - love to hear what colours are in your current palette and how do you go about selecting and arranging colours. What is your secret sauce?
To conclude this blog post, here is a short video of my all sketches from Kuala Lumpur. This is a visual journal of my raw, direct and honest responses to the sights, sounds and taste of KL. Hope to be back again.
Stay well until we speak again in August!
RECORDED WORKSHOP WITH ART TOOL KIT (Recorded on 7th Feb)
Don’t worry if you missed this online workshop that I taught in February. You can now purchase, watch the recording and practice along with me. Click here to watch the recording
NEW SKETCHING RETREAT IN TAIPEI, TAIWAN
Date: 16-22 May 2027
Taiwan is a land of contrasts: bustling markets, ancient temples, and vibrant cities blend with extraordinary nature. This art experience combines authentic daily life, landscapes, and Taiwanese culture under the guidance of professional artist Paul WANG.
Operated by Curious Taiwan, a high-end travel agency based in Taiwan, we will help to facilitate interactions with locals, optimize the itinerary, and take you beyond the usual tourist routes.
1. Art, Food & Culture Retreat (Hanoi, Bac Ha & Sapa, North Vietnam)
Date: 8-17th December 2026
Open to everyone, regardless of background, this program offers slow, responsible travel with like-minded individuals. We emphasize immersive cultural experiences by providing a comprehensive exploration of Vietnamese culinary history and food culture. This meticulously curated journey delves into the Art, Food, and Culture of North Vietnam. I will be teaching 8 specially crafted art workshops during our retreat.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION..
2. Art, Food & Culture Retreat (Hoi An, Central Vietnam)
Date: 19-28th February 2027
For all who would like to experience slow, responsible travel with like-minded people. The emphasis is on immersive cultural experiences while enjoying a deep exploration of Vietnamese Culinary History and Food Culture. 10 days filled with 8 exciting art workshops to help you capture the beauty of Hoi An. Last few spots left!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
3. Art, Food & Culture WORKSHOPS & RETREATS in Australia.
Join me for a hands-on workshop in the heart of Sydney. This session focuses on my signature approach to expressive linework and vibrant storytelling through sketching. You will learn to capture the city’s unique architectural rhythm and light using rapid, insightful techniques. Do also check out our retreats in Sydney and Tasmania for a more immersive experience!
WORKSHOP DATES: 28th, 29th & 30th August 2027
Click here for more information (Sydney Workshop)
Click here for more information (Sydney - September Retreat)
Click here for more information (Tasmania - September Retreat)
