I started my first sketchbook back in polytechnic, during my design studies. For me, a sketchbook was a space to jot down ideas, research, and concepts for whatever projects I was working on. I loved the idea of a sketchbook because it held endless possibilities—it was a place where ideas could live and grow.
But I had never used a sketchbook to document painting or drawing. Since I wasn’t a fine art student, the idea of keeping a drawing sketchbook felt foreign. That changed in 2017 when I started one for the very first time. My earliest sketches were little ideas or fantasy images that had been swirling in my mind for years. Finally, I had a space to put them down. That first sketchbook was an A4 size calendar book with many blank pages and I challenged myself to log a sketch every day, spending about ten to fifteen minutes on each.
Over time, I found myself leaning toward certain preferences in my sketching style. These choices were guided by how much time I could spare, and by the need for convenience and portability. I wanted something I could carry anywhere—on the MRT, in a café—and still be able to complete a sketch quickly. Accessibility, efficiency, and simplicity became the keys.That’s how I settled into line drawing. It’s fast, relies on observation, and only needs two things: my small A6 sketchbook and a liner pen. I’ve been using this style for about eight years now. Sometimes I’d wash over the permanent ink with watercolour, which added another layer of expression without demanding too much extra time.
Looking back, I think years of line sketches also led me to crave more colour. Recently, I’ve started experimenting again with full-colour sketch paintings—not with watercolour this time, but with gouache. I’ve always admired how gouache, like oil or acrylic, can feel bold, expressive, and individual.
I actually tried this once before, about four years ago, but had to stop. Each gouache sketch took me two hours or more, and with children to care for, I simply didn’t have that kind of time. I promised myself I would return to it when life allowed—and now, with my older kids already young adults and only one teenager still at home, I finally have that freedom.
I recorded my full process of my gouache sketch painting from start to finish into a tutorial and upload onto here. I also talked about how I use limited color palette in this video. Welcome to click on the link above this line to check it out!, it’s only less than 13 mins :)
Limiting myself to a smaller palette have many advantages:
it saves money in the long run
it helps create better colour harmony
it’s a practice many professional artists rely on. I’m excited to learn through this approach
lesser paints to bring outdoors for live painting
Okay, these are so much to share for today! I hope you gain something from my blog. If you like what I do, you can support me by buying me a coffee to keep my art journey going. 
Thank you!
Beamy.Thanks for reading until here!