Welcome back - let's sketch Berlin

And Berlin sketchbook - and welcome to the new subbies!

We’re back with biweekly zine-mails.

I’ve had an influx of subscribers come over from a zine workshop I did last month - if you are one of them, welcome. I’m restarting this Substack for 2026, primarily because of this. I hope to do biweekly zine emails talking deeper about what I create.

I’ve also been told to ‘start an email list’ - this is common advice, and one I’ve never taken seriously. There’ll be more ranting about this below, but first, I wanted to share some content you actually signed up for!

I recently visited Berlin for a couple of days and, as usual, I kept a travel sketchbook. These have significantly evolved over the last couple of years of me keeping them. I opt for a more diary-sketchbook hybrid, preferring to capture memories over aesthetics.

I also keep my equipment much simpler - I have a tiny paperchase pencil case that I travel with. There is a slightly more extended supply kit in a video I made last year, but I keep it even more minimal these days (another video to make, I suppose!).

I did the drawings in black and white pen - the colour was all added when I came back. I didn’t realise how colourful the city would be! It was a pleasant surprise.

I genuinely loved Berlin - grungey, edgy, full of colour and character (it was lucky we had sun too!). I respected how loud the city shouted, how many voices were thrown into the mix. And all the stickers everywhere have really inspired me to make my own!

And if you’re still interested in my ranting about social media…

Unfortunately, due to the omnipresent facade of social media, I feel more inclined to chase after the rat race of an algorithm. This leaves me less time and energy to work on an email (when in fact, this could be much more fulfilling!).

I suppose with super-short attention spans, it isn’t easy to think that people still have the patience to read blogs. However, 2026 seems to be the year more people are moving towards other platforms, deeper connections and integrated stories.

I’m somewhat terrified of committing to this, as I have done this several times only to break my own promise. But…I suppose it’s in the continual trying that will eventually make this a success.

If you don’t already, you can follow me on Instagram or Youtube

Take care, and keep drawing.

Noor