2025 Hanoi Travel Sketching Testimonials

Hanoi Sketching Adventures with Whee Teck

"This workshop is fantastic for beginner and intermediate level participants as it covers a broad range of sketch and watercolor concepts and the smaller group interactions allows a deep-dive into specific topics. I really enjoyed the casualness of the workshop (no pressure to sketch) and the camaraderie of the group as we encouraged each other with sharing of our individual art journeys. The tips I’ve picked up from Whee Teck, James and fellow sketchers have added much value to my competencies!"


—Tshen Foo

"This has been a fun and fulfilling trip. It's amazing to see how Whee Teck is able to organize the essence of urban sketching and present the concepts in a clear, concise manner. His energy and willingness to share is really commendable!


I've learnt to put more thought into observing, planning, executing and criticizing my sketches. Everyone in the group made wonderful company and there was no lack of sharing of experiences. Special thanks to James who is ever so patient and always making sure everyone is accounted for. Would love to join more trips like this given the right opportunity."


—Shirley Tan

"You can take people out of art but you can’t take the art out of people. Over the years, I’ve lost touch with my creative side because life just got busy. During this trip in Hanoi, I re-learned to see the world through creative lenses once again. Putting those images down unto paper was daunting at first, but Whee Teck was sure to guide us through each process and shared invaluable tips throughout his workshop. It’s like I found beauty even in the mundane, as each landmark or even random moments became something worth noticing. He’s taught me to embrace all kinds of mistakes and just keep going. And that’s the joy of letting loose!."


—Jasiel Hor

这次四天三夜的河内城市速写urban sketching 活动, 过得非常充实。感谢Whee Teck ，总是活力满满、热情洋溢，也感染了大家。他在密集的旅游行程中，总能见缝插针传授各种速写心得。让我们一边贪婪地接收异地风光，一边尝试消化复杂的理论，有一种忙碌度假的快感。

对于习惯慢生活的我来说，这未尝不是一种新鲜的刺激。经过这次经验，我或许会更习惯于随时随地拿起画笔，随心而画。

也要感谢James Leong 的无私分享，感谢团友们的互相关照。

—Yen Fong, 13 April 2025

"I joined Whee Teck’s travel sketching workshop to Hanoi in April and I am very impressed by the extensive coverage from 3 and a half day workshop.

Before the trip, there are pre-trip preparation online courses which includes some guide on sketching essentials on choosing of tight materials and colour palette. There are also video illustrations and sketching fundamentals. These basic knowledge set the foundation and act as the confidence pillars for me as it helps to prepare me to sketch.


I had lots of fun sketching and painting outdoor. It is about the confidence to pen down what I see. It is the confident to brush the colours. By doing so, I discover my difficulties and challenges. But it is ok, Whee Teck conducted daily pre-brief and de-brief cum Q&A session where we have our questions answered.


The trip includes full day tour and we are supposed to draw two pages of icon either on the go or complete them before next morning. All I can say is drawing and painting is very addictive.

I will definitely make plans for more travel sketch tour in the future!"

—Nina Heng

"I joined the Sketching Tour to experience a tour experience I never had before. “Tour n Sketching on the Go “ ! I felt some trepidations as I prepared for my maiden trip - “ I can’t draw even to earn my meal”… But it turned out to be a joyful eye opening experience.


We were taught One continuous line drawing, water colour painting.. all on the first day of Tour ….trying to draw Emperor Ly Thai To. I was perspiring from the 28 Degree temperature at the fairly well manicured Thai To Garden Park…plus anxiety over how to draw the statue structure in one continuous line 🤣🤣🤣. My pony tail was drenched wet when I completed my first exercise…but …Whee Teck s comments made the “sweat” worth it - “you’re quite good at painting for a newbie. “


I learned the 7 principles /techniques on sketching n painting…Spaces, Line, Shape, Form, Colour, Value & Texture… almost got my brains knitted up… shows the extend of upward climb required, I surmised …but I committed to make the slow ascend!! Can surely count on the support not only from Whee Teck but my tour companions , many of whom are accomplished/commenable budding artists. A very helpful caring n fun bunch.


I like the in between respites - the tours - Preserved American Prisons for the POW , just next to Hanoi Tower Hotel - ghastly photos of persecuted prisoners and the dreadful living conditions- a timely reminder at current times given the emergence of the rising tempo of the trade wars n political tensions. Global Leaders, please please don’t tilt into a full blown war! Make Love not War .


The Water puppet show was delightful . Also time spent on holy ground at St Joseph’s cathedral to attempt Urban Drawing. Atmosphere was almost enchanting. A Passion Day entrance procession and mass was indeed in progress 🙏🙏🙏 as we did our drawings . What a blessing. ❤️❤️❤️. I completed my sketch on St Joseph’s Cathedral when Mas’s ended. I shared my sketch with my children… wows were heard. Yeah.


Thanks everyone …. It’s one of my best holidays."

—Agnes Wong

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