Sketching groups in Bengaluru are giving the city's artistically inclined a community space to express themselves. Some have been around for close to two decades, while others are about a year old.
Urban Sketchers Bengaluru
The 60-member group meets once a week and focuses on sketching on location. It draws participation from hobby artists aged five to 60. They have visited places like Vidhana Soudha, Chickpet, and K R Market. Their speciality is capturing movement, chaos, and everyday city life in real time. Participants point out that it is equally challenging and thrilling to capture multiple emotions at once through sketching and memorising. They host regular exhibitions and sketch walks, and are part of a nationwide network, with annual meets hosted by different cities each year.
Visit @uskbengaluru on Instagram.
Sunday in Bengaluru: Ballet meets Indian culturePenciljam
Started in 2007, Penciljam sees around 50-60 participants during their weekly meets. It is open to all, with members aged five to 80. They sketch at heritage and public spaces like museums, parks, and churches, and avoid crowded areas. The meets usually also include a showcase, and they stay active online through the Discord app. In the past, they showcased their work at BLR Hubba and the National Gallery of Modern Art. They plan to introduce neighbourhood sketching meets and to bring art into workplaces.
Details on @penciljam on Instagram.
Drawn Out BLR
A recent collective set up by Indian Society of Landscape Architects, Bengaluru, this group meets every fourth Saturday. It has around 25 members. They focus on nature and outdoor spaces, rather than manmade structures. They have held sessions at Bugle Rock, Lalbagh lake, and the Hesaraghatta grasslands. The sessions are led by resource persons who give participants a brief explanation about the setting. They aim to document less-known places in and around Bengaluru, and plan to collaborate with other communities.
Check @drawnout.blr on Instagram.
Pose and Paint
This group, which focuses on figure drawing, meets every Sunday and draws about 10-12 participants. They work with live models from theatre and fitness backgrounds. Sessions are held in Cubbon Park, with participants specialising in both rapid and slow sketching. They also conduct indoor 'nude figurative' art sessions, following proper protocol. They celebrated their first anniversary in Auroville by a session with a local model. Next, they plan to collaborate with the Goan art community.
Visit @poseandpaint on Instagram.
Cubbon Paints
This is one of the largest art communities in India, with almost 80 people meeting every Sunday in Cubbon Park. They have been active for the past three years. They began with 15-20 people and grew organically. They follow a colour-theme every month and have exhibited their works at the art gallery in Rangoli Metro Art Centre, M G Road. They focus on mental wellness through art. The group will host a two-day exhibition in May.
Check @cubbonpaints on Instagram.
(Find Your Vibe is an occasional column that highlights positive community efforts and passion pursuits in Bengaluru. Send your suggestions at metrolife@deccanherald.co.in)