At Rishikhola

Painting from a photograph I took during our Silk Route journey. 

The place was quiet, almost whispering—a thin river slipping past stones, hills layered softly in the background, and that slow mountain light changing every few minutes. While painting, I focused less on details and more on the mood—that peaceful hillside afternoon, the stillness in the air, and the feeling of being tucked away from everything.

A Morning Near Nakhoda Masjid

When watercolor is mixed with Chinese white, I would still call it watercolor—just in a more opaque form. It makes the medium much more versatile. This was a direct watercolor approach without any initial sketch. The picture was taken near Nakhoda Masjid.

Painting with what remains

Did a quick painting using whatever colors were left on my palette. I really wanted a warm red and more white, but only crimson lake and a tiny bit of white were available. I decided to use only what I had at the moment. Photo taken at M.G. Road, Kolkata.

Flower Seller

Painted from a photo I took at Mallick Ghat Flower Market. A direct watercolor approach — really enjoying color these days :)

In my local market

Sketched from a photo I took a while ago at my local market, probably during a morning grocery run.

Chinese New Year Sketch at Bow Barracks

Today’s sketch from Bow Barracks during Chinese New Year. I had carried my watercolours, but due to the extreme crowd, I abandoned the idea and only sketched this time. 

I do think the lions would definitely look even cooler with colours, though.

Travel Sketch Journal — McCluskieganj

My recent trip to McCluskieganj felt like walking through a quiet memory. Old colonial bungalows, cracked pastel walls, rusted gates, and silent railway tracks — everything carried a gentle sense of fading history.

I sketched wherever I could — under winter light filtered through sal trees, near the small railway station, and in front of abandoned houses slowly surrendering to nature. Earthy washes of burnt sienna and ultramarine helped capture the mood more than the details.

This journal isn’t just a record of buildings; it holds the stillness, the soft train whistles, and the unhurried rhythm of a place that reveals itself only when you pause and observe.

Urban sketching at Shyambazar Crossing

Today’s urban sketching at Shyambazar Crossing with the Urban Sketchers Kolkata group. I used watercolour and gouache. Mixing the two doesn’t give the same matte finish as using gouache alone.

During a visit to Mairung Gaon

Sketched from photos taken during a trip to Mairung Gaon, Kalimpong.