2025 Mar Play 3

What an incredible day it was at Play 3, the much-anticipated Singapore Sketchers’ event! From inspiring keynotes to hands-on demos, the atmosphere was buzzing with creativity and passion. Thain Lin as the chairman for the event, kick off with the welcome speech.

The day kicked off with two powerful keynotes. Patrick Ng took the stage first, captivating the audience with his talk titled “Urban Sketching: The Craft. The Community. The Call.” He shared not just his artistic journey but also the heart and soul of what makes urban sketching so much more than just drawing—it’s a way to connect with the community and answer the call to capture the beauty of our surroundings.

Next up was Uhky Uhky, who treated us to a mesmerizing watercolor demonstration of a familiar street scene. As the pigments flowed and blended on paper, I, Whee Teck, had the pleasure of providing live running commentary, sharing insights into Uhky’s techniques and artistic choices. It was a great way to bring the audience closer to the process and truly appreciate the craft.

The morning continued with something truly unique—four simultaneous demos at the four corners of The Pod. Francis Theo, Michael Tan, Marie Joelle, and Kent Lau each showcased their own style and techniques, giving participants a chance to roam from corner to corner and soak in diverse approaches to urban sketching. The energy was palpable as sketchers absorbed tips, tricks, and inspiration from these talented artists.

After a well-deserved lunch break, we resumed with more insightful keynotes. Don Low’s presentation on Design Concepts pushed us to think deeper about composition and how to weave stories into our sketches. His thoughtful approach gave everyone something new to ponder as they picked up their pencils and brushes.

I then took the stage to share my own keynote, “Love to Travel, Love to Sketch.” It was a joy to talk about my passion for discovering new places through sketching and how travel enriches the sketching experience. I loved seeing fellow sketchers nod along, clearly resonating with the idea of capturing memories through art.

The day wrapped up with another set of concurrent demos by James Leong, James Lim, Kelvin Lee, and Pocholo. Each brought their own flair to the event, demonstrating techniques that ranged from bold and expressive to delicate and detailed. It was a fitting finale to an unforgettable day, where art and community came together in perfect harmony.

Play 3 was more than just an event—it was a celebration of urban sketching as a craft, a community, and a call to action. Everyone left feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to keep sketching the world around them.

Thanks to everyone who joined us and made the day truly special! Let’s keep the spirit of sketching alive, one sketch at a time!

Whee Teck along with June Siu and Yu Xiang, both from NLB.