Drawing as a verb

These drawings are nothing remarkable: they are maintenance drawings, subpar sketches to keep me sane and slightly satisfied. It is the process and practice of making them that has been enriching: that even at the end of the day, I could take 5 minutes to draw something, just for the sake of it.

Of course, I didn’t do this every day. But some days I stuck to it.

Back to basics

These were made with the cheapest colour pencils and paper I could find. Many took 5, 10, maybe 15 minutes. Some took longer, and some earlier ones were drawn over two days. Many were drawn late at night, right before sleeping.

Through the photo gallery

Almost all* these sketches were drawn from photos I took with my phone. Most feature strangers that happen to be in the frame, simply because it is more difficult and self-conscious to draw people whom I know. Some feature friends and loved ones. Many feature events, festivals, outings, or performances from the past year.

*with the exception of the dog, who was drawn from a WhatsApp group photo.

Why draw?

I remember a conversation years ago among schoolmates - artists whom I respect greatly - who spoke of the need to draw, the obsession to create; an affliction, really, that drives their work. Some of that I identify with, but right now my answer is simple. I draw because it matters to me. I draw because it makes me feel more alive, because I miss the feeling of putting pencil to paper. I draw because I can.