Quick Goa Post

On 4th of June, I came to Goa for the first time to give a job interview. I am presently staying in Goa and my job demands me for the minimum period of an year.

I was staying in Afonso Guesthouse when I came for the interview, which is just a block away from my office. The office and the guesthouse are located in Fontainhas; which happens to be the old Latin quarters. Fontainhas and Mala exhibit a strong historic character and define the Goan culture beautifully. I plan to sketch more of the houses.

Most of these houses have been maintained by their house owners who proudly think of it as a part of their heritage, although a few houses have been demolished and instead we can see new residences which do not respect their context. Although, its not too late. Our office along with the authorities is working on documenting the heritage structures in Panjim (including Fontainhas and Mala). Eventually a guideline for heritage areas will be worked on.

Here are two sketches. The first one is of a wooden door of a decaying old house and the other one is of the San Sabastian Chapel in Fontainhas (next to our office). Also, while I was at it, I tried my hands at watercolors. I used an ink pen with watercolors, so the ink got a bit washed away. I have to find an alternative to this. Maybe an alcohol marker. Will keep trying.

The Dripping Graphite of Leh

I finally managed to compile all the Leh sketches for the Travel Diary that I am writing for an Urban Design  teacher of mine. Here they are:

Goa sketches after a short break.

Sketch 1.0

Sketch 2.0

Sketch 3.0

Sketch 4.0

Sketch 5.0

Sketch 6.0

Sketch 7.0

Sketch 8.0

Sketch 9.0

Sketches 1 and 2 are of a house in stone and mud masonry. The lintel is a very important element of the design in these houses; as the city lies in an earthquake prone area. The lintel, visible on the facade of almost each and every house is hence made decorative and is ornamental.

Sketches 3 and 4 were made in the Leh Palace. That place is a beautiful maze carved out of the hill.

Sketch 5 is the schematic section and plan of the main prayer hall of the Hemis Monastery.

Sketch 6 and 7 are of the Thigse monastry. Sketched while waiting for the Monastry to reopen after lunch time.

Sketches 8 and 9 are of the Stupa atop the Shey Palace. The whole place is silent. All you can hear is the wind blowing in your face and your own heartbeat. Lovely architecture and location.

That's about it from Leh. I'll post some sketches from Goa as soon as I can.

Kashmir, Leh Trip

Me and a few friends went to Kashmir and Leh in late May. It was indeed a trip that I would never forget. Infact, I would love to go back whenever I have time and money. Since i'm out of college and have to follow my job schedule, I guess time and money both would be a problem.

Anyway.. here are a few sketches that I made of the Nishat gardens at Srinagar. I will follow this post with my sketches of Leh in a few days.

Keep checking for updates.

The Nishat Gardens at Srinagar, have been designed beautifully considering the topography of the region. The garden steps up with the natural slope of the mountains. There are 12 terraces in the whole garden related to the 12 zodiac signs. Each terrace is accessed with a few steps on either sides of the terraces. The terraces are also connected with a stream of water that cascades down from top and eventually ends up in the Dal Lake. The 12th Terrace is the Zanana and the rest of the 11 terraces are public. One can get a beautiful view of the Fort and the Dal Lake from this garden. Its definitely a must visit.

Diwan-i-Aam and Agrasen ki Baoli

Its been 2 months now that I came back from Ahmedabad; that beauty of a city. I love that city. Anyway, that also meant that my internship got over and nobody was there to pester me to go and see places around and sketch them out. Although, during these 4 months, I had already been trained to sketch, therefore, I finally figured out that I didn't need anybody to motivate me to sketch anymore. My internship motivated me and proved to be a boon.

Therefore, a while back, I went to Jama Masjid, Red Fort and Agrasen ki Baoli, with a junior. I have also visited Leh, Srinagar and Panajim since. Sketchy travels I must say. Here are the results..

Sketches from Leh, Srinagar and Panajim coming soon.

ATMA | Sketches

Ahmedabad Textile Mills Association building designed by Le Corbusier.

Sketched last Friday.. I'm happy with the frequency of sketches.. I just have to be more consistent and have to improve the quality of my sketches.

My senior colleague tells me that I mess up the connection of the built with  the ground. I'll try working on that now on.

Sarkhej Roja | Sketches

As promised... Sarkhej Roja, Ahmedabad.

The first sketch is of the Dargah, the second one is of a decorative non structural buttress on the wall. I have developed a liking towards charcoal.

I sketched Ahmedabad Textile Mills Association (ATMA) building today designed by Le Corbusier better known as "Mill Owners" building here in Ahmedabad. The sketches will follow in the next post.

Sanskar Kendra, Ahmedabad

Ah! I thought I had forgotten the password to this account.. but strangely I remembered. I'm being sarcastic to myself here!

I finished my thesis and started with my internship as a trainee in Ahmedabad. The office is nice. I'm encouraged to explore; even to the extent that I am told to visit the architectural heritage of this city and sketch it out, strictly in charcoal. Charcoal, is a medium that I was never comfortable with, therefore, I had always ignored it. So, I HAD to take it up as a challenge for myself. I was intrigued by the outcome. The first weekend I went to Sanskar Kendra, designed by Le Corbusier. This marvel provided an interesting play of light and shadows specially in the courtyard. The sketches, although failed to impress me.

Last weekend I went to Sarkhej Roja, to explore my ability to sketch in charcoal further, this weekend, I was happier with the outcome. My lines were more fluid. I had sketched only shadows, therefore, the negatives were perceived as solid planes exposed to sunlight. It was satisfactory, also, Sarkhej is beautiful.

Right now, I'm only uploading Sanskar Kendra sketches. The sketches from Sarkhej will follow soon.