Sketching during COVID-19

The worldwide pandemic has made the world stop & re-assess everything. From business practices to personal hygiene and everything in between. By now most of us have become accustomed to these “uncertain times”. Our lives have changed. There is no denying it. With most of us, this outbreak is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, hopefully.

As an urban sketcher, I have found sketch documentation to be the best form of capturing these moments in time, as they pass us by. Unlike a photo, these quick sketches evoke my senses. I am able to remember, the temperature, the smells, the noises & even my mental state at the time of the sketch. This is probably because sketching requires me to pause & observe. Somewhere upstairs, this information is processed, manipulated, digested & re-produced through motor-functions on paper, as a sketch.

So this is what I have learned & I hope it brings value to you.

Its okay to take a break

I am always accused of being a workaholic & a productivity junkie. The pandemic taught me that it is okay, to take time off. Like my dogs, its quite okay to laze, think & re-charge.

Observe nuances

With the working hours that most architects keep, we tend to miss the little things that happen back at home. This pandemic allowed me to observe my father read the newspaper whilst sipping on his morning tea. Mundane to most, price-less to me.

Be silly

It also allowed me to observe my parents cut vegetables & clean prawns. They discussed what Jaya aunty really wanted with her impromptu call. I threw in my hat with..

She knows you got a good deal on those prawns, that's why!

Obviously, my mother agreed.

Stress is real

I have observed colleagues worry about having to be in two places at once. They have to be part of their child's online learning experience whilst attending zoom calls on mute. All this while having a calm smile for both. It is not needed. Everyone is going through the exact same situation. Focus on getting the job done, rather than how ‘it should be done’

Don’t take yourself too seriously

Building up on the point above, learn to have a bit of fun in your day. I attend most online meetings with a cap, put on backwards. Officially, to conceal my bed hair. Unofficially, cause I’m too cool for school. 

Give people their space.

With all of us working from home, its quite easy to get in each others personal space. With colleagues, there is a certain amount of professional etiquette maintained in such affairs. With family, not so much. So, if you can take a meeting in the other room, to allow a deep conversation between loved ones continue? Do so. If you can't, thank them for keeping quiet and tip-toeing around you to facilitate your meetings. 

Masks and gloves

Love it or hate it. They are here to stay. For a while at least. Much like most of you, I do not look forward to sweaty palms and concealed smiles. However, I understand why these measures are in place. Are there better ways of reducing the spread? Probably? Call me naive or jaded, but in my opinion, this is the best that we as a collective can do.

All for one & one for all

This is one of those of things which require an ‘all-in’ approach. For maximum effect, all of us need to be on the same page.. regardless of our personal beliefs & opinions. We need to stay committed to the cause!