10 drawings from my Bali experience

A handful of serene Bali sketches and picturesque spots worth exploring (and sketching)

In this selection, you will find my impressions about a few places of Bali island that take a special place in my heart.

The first drawing from this list was made on one wonderful weekend trip to Ubud. We rented a nice, peaceful Airbnb in the middle of a calm rice field. Having a terrace with a table allowed me to sit and sketch the picturesque surroundings. The view was truly stunning, complemented by the ambient sounds of crickets and leaves rustling in the light wind. It stands as one of the most memorable moments from my eight months spent in Bali.

I simply must share the link to this Airbnb in case you ever visit Ubud because it was a heavenly experience (with an end cost of around $27 per night).

The drawing of a rice field made with colored pencils. Location: Ubud.

The next drawing was made the second time we stayed at this place. The thread attached to the page is from a nice sauna I was the day before.

A different angle of the same place

This drawing is different from the usual sketches I make when I go out. It was created during my digital detox day, and I aimed to draw something purely from my imagination. It represents my vision of Bali island with subtle surrealistic elements.

At first, I made nine small sketches on the left page, they helped me to come up with an idea and polish the composition. Following that, I completed the final drawing using colored pencils.

The fantasy of mine, inspired by Bali and its distinctive features. The sketches are made with a pen, the main drawing is made with colored pencils.

This sketch will serve me as a reminder of the charming Double Fat Cafè in Ubud. The place is exceptionally authentic and interesting to explore, located right on the porch of a local house.

I made the drawing while waiting for a meal, which turned out to be an outstanding experience. I'll never forget this eggplant; it was absolutely delicious!

The sketch depicts interior elements found at the Double Fat Café in Ubud.

The next sketch was created on Nyang Nyang Beach, a deserted beach on the Bukit peninsula. It's located at the bottom of a large cliff. Reaching the beach requires a half-hour hike down, and the ascent back up is notably more challenging (and sweaty).

As we rested and sipped on coconuts on the beach, I sketched this shipwreck in the sand.

The sketch of a shipwreck in the sand made with colored pencils. Location: Nyang Nyang Beach, Bukit.

All these sketches below were made at the warung (a local cafe) we frequented every couple of weeks for six months. The warung itself is unremarkable, offering simple food in a simple setting. But the captivating ocean view, just a few feet away, was truly fascinating. We were coming back exactly for it. And it became one of our favorite places.

The handful of sketches made in the Pantai warung in Seminyak.

And the last sketch was made on Crystal Bay Beach, located on Penida Island, a small and tranquil island near Bali. The cherry on top of this beach experience is a tiny island with a small arch visible from the shore.

The sketch made with colored pencils. Location: Crystal Bay Beach, Penida Island.

That's all for this time, but I have another portion (or perhaps two) of Bali drawings for the next part of this series. Don't miss it!