#105 🧐 The Art of Observation

A powerful gateway into mindful sketchnoting

And what helped me crawl out more than once?

Ever noticed how we look at things all day… but rarely see them?

In a world full of speed, screens, and swipes, observation has quietly become a superpower. And guess what? Your sketchbook might just be the best way to sharpen it.

In this issue, we’ll explore how observation fuels sketchnotes — not just by capturing what’s in front of you, but by helping you tune into the world more deeply.

We did this as part of Weekly Warmup session.

So let’s slow down, look closer, and sketch what we really see.

Ready?

👋 Hello visual learners, I’m Kumar and welcome to my weekly newsletter.

Each week I share Sketchnote(s) on product, leadership, personal growth, and anything that helps you get started on Sketchnoting.

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Framework: OBSERVE - A Multi-Sensory Sketchnoting Exercise

Goal: Help to tune into the present moment using all five senses and translate our observations into visual form.

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🔶 Step 1:

Object Selection (1 min)

Pick one everyday object around them. It could be a pen, cup, keychain, plant, etc. Something simple and within reach.

👉 “Pick an object near you. Don’t overthink it—anything you can hold or observe up close works!”

I picked up a table clock sitting on my desk. It fits in my hand

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🔷 Step 2:

OBSERVE Framework (5 mins)

Now let’s go through this O.B.S.E.R.V.E acronym — each step engaging a different mode of observation.

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O – Observe with the Eyes

• What is its shape, color, texture, and size?

• Are there patterns, shadows, wear & tear?

📝 Prompt: “Draw the outline or key shapes. Use simple visual elements like lines, dots, or patterns.”

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B – Be Aware of Touch

How does it feel in your hands? Smooth, rough, cold, warm, heavy?

📝 Prompt: “Add textures or labels to your sketch to describe the feel.”

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S – Smell (if any)

Does the object have a scent? New plastic, ink, wood, etc.?

📝 Prompt: “Use icons or metaphors — like a nose sniffing or a wavy line — to represent smell.”

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E – Explore Sound

Does it make a sound when moved or tapped?

📝 Prompt: “Add sound effects (e.g., click, tap, rustle) as visual elements around your sketch.”

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R – Recall Association

What memory or feeling does this object evoke?

📝 Prompt: “Draw a quick symbol or scene representing that memory/emotion.”

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V – View it from a New Angle

Flip it, turn it, or look at it closer. What changes?

📝 Prompt: “Add a second sketch or detail from a different perspective.”

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E – Express It Visually

Now combine all your observations into one expressive Sketchnote.

📝 Prompt: “In a single frame, represent your multi-sensory experience of this object.”

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🔁 Step 3: Reflection (2–3 mins)

Now take a moment and reflect:

• How did observing closely change their understanding of the object?

• What did they notice that they usually overlook?

How can this kind of mindful observation enhance everyday sketchnoting?

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Here’s a sketchnote done by Jatin Kapadia during the session

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So, keep your eyes, ears, nose, touch open to observe and with intention.

Kumar

Sketchnoting my way through the mess, one block at a time

Thank you for reading Letsketchin. 🥧