Meet Yogricha, Doodling Her Way Right into Your Heart!

By Ruchi Sharma

Ever tried your hand at doodling? Well! You must be doing it already and not even realising it! Remember those little scribbles and smileys you make at the last page of your notebooks? That's actually doodling too! But today we are going to meet a lady who is very beautiful inside out and made this hobby into a full blown art! Meet Yogricha Verma from @yogricha, a digital illustrator and doodle artist who is making these stunning comic doodles that are surely going to leave you hooked. Her bubbliness is surely contagious while her artworks are totally unique.

Wondering what sets her apart from the rest? Her doodles are based on everyday things you could actually relate to! Right from simple things like bad hair woes to cutely funny things like how different expectation vs. reality is for the dresses we buy!!! Now that’s cute!

As it is always said we should never leave our passion behind for anything and Yogricha is inspiring us for the same as by profession she is a Lawyer and she is actively (and very successfully!) pursuing her passion of doodle art too. So, without further ado let’s delve into this super interesting interview we did with Yogricha!

1. Hi Yogricha! We would love to know more about you, please share with us a bit about yourself.

So! I am Yogricha and I am a lawyer by profession but I also doodle and draw daily things of my life to make a living. 😋

2. Wow! So it’s actually a unique combination of a Lawyer and Doodle artist! When did you start doing doodling and illustrations?

Yes! Both these things are kinda poles apart but I love this combination for myself. Also, I have been drawing since childhood but professionally it has been roughly 2 years. 

An amazing doodle by Yogricha

3. Sounds really interesting. So, what does your daily routine typically look like?

I wake up at around 7, i workout (just dance like no one is watching) then i cook my lunch and leave for office (to live my”professional” life) then i get back at sound 9 pm and after my dinner i draw for around 2 hours (while watching something or listening to some of my podcasts) and i go to sleep 💤

4. That’s hectic! And it brings me to the next question, how do you find inspiration for your artwork and how did ‘Yogricha’ on Instagram come into existence?

So, I have loved scribbling since childhood, I used to scribble in my notebook, desks etc in college as well. I started this page only to post random ugly drawings and share it with whosoever is interested, I never thought of it as a “big art page” or something. Gradually I started illustrating my life and everyday things, and realised that people related to it, which motivated me to observe myself and my life more. The page is after my name, nothing fancy, because I never planned this page. I still don't. I don't know what my next comic will be or what my next work will be, everything in this page is impromptu and casual. It is my escape from reality.

5. We are really curious to know what exactly is the difference between an illustration and a doodle, since your beautiful artwork is a combo of both.

Illustrations and comics are like two different things. Comics are mostly fun, humorous, etc. Illustrations are everything else. Like I saw a woman on street wearing a nice saree and looking extremely pretty, I would come home na.

6. Any app you really like to work on for your artwork or you prefer our good old pen-paper?

I love my colours and I play with them whenever I find time. In fact whenever possible I upcycle old stuff in my house and paint them in whatever way I want. But colours and canvases are expensive so I made this one time investment in an iPad and started using procreate. The journey from pen-paper to Procreate is also an interesting one but now I love this app.

7. If you had to think of one area which you like the most to depict in your artwork, what would it be?

I love drawing humans. I believe the variety of emotions a human face can have are unparalleled. Now of course nature and animals are beautiful in their own way but I cannot pinpoint the reason why I love drawing humans more.

8. We already love your work, but if you were to choose your favourite doodle till date, which one will it be?

There are dozens of doodles that make it to my favourites list, many of which I haven’t even posted yet. Those are the ones closest to my heart.

A Super Cute Doodle by Yogricha

9. Being famous on instagram has its own perks as well as limitations. Can you think of one thing you love the most about it and one thing you aren’t really fond of?

Now I wouldn’t really call myself “famous” this is a very very tiny page to be honest, but yes there are perks and limitations of being there on Instagram. What I love the most is when people tell me that they tried making something inspired by my artwork, or when I see random messages appreciating the work I’ve posted. No amount of money or fame could match that satisfaction. If I don’t like something, it’s the people expecting free work. All the time I’d get DMs asking if I could make something for them for free or if I could promote them on my page, I’m like (SMH) NO!

10. Do you take up personalised projects related to comics and doodling too?

Yes we do wedding invites and personal caricatures. Drawing love stories is so satisfying because you actually get to live those moments of someone’s life and illustrate it for them which creates another beautiful moment for them. It’s a very fulfilling experience.

A Beautiful Doodle by Yogricha

11. Just like there is writer's block, have you ever been through anything like a ‘creative block’?

Absolutely, this is a serious concern. I sometimes get what I call an “art block” or “mind fog” where I fall short on ideas or execution and no project that I take up sees a satisfying ending. But the key is to take a small break and start again even if it doesn’t come out alright. Eventually it does. I also consider drawing, drawing anything, even if it is a simple circle. This helps me fight my drawing blues.

12. Who has been your biggest support till date or maybe an inspiration to follow your dreams?

My parents (especially my mom) and my husband. When I started drawing seriously, it was difficult. I come from a family which has zero interest in art (in any form), only my mom knew drawing and painting, it was extremely hard at the onset. But gradually things fell in place. My husband has been a very very important pillar in this entire journey, from motivating me to start this page and take it seriously to running behind the printers and collaborators, he is the backbone of this entire thing.

13. Since you are a lawyer, can you tell us a few things about which every woman should have adequate knowledge?

There are a lot of rights and laws that women should know about. In fact, I believe some parts of legal education should be mandatory for all students. Your basic fundamental rights such as freedom of choice and right to equality, the interpretation of personal liberty and the laws that exist solely to protect women such as in IPC and POSH Act are few examples.

14. Are you interested in any other hobbies too?

So I love playing Kalimba, it’s a wooden hand-held musical instrument, very easy to play and very melodious. I love to dance at times but I don’t dance well, it’s just for my own entertainment. (like look into the mirror while you dance and laugh on how senseless you look)

15. Where do you see yourself (and your amazing Instagram page too!) in the next few years? 

I don’t quite know what the world has kept for me, I have just started, it is a tiny page with crooked stuff, but I hope it’ll have a sustained growth over the years and I am able to impact more and more lives with my funky wonky designs.

16. Which is the biggest mantra you always live by?

I believe in a mantra that is “do everything you can”. Life is too short for doing one thing only. Live it to the fullest. 

Yogricha's super funny doodle!

17. You have balanced your interests along with your career beautifully, do you have some advice for women who feel apprehensive of following their passion?

So normally on the outside this looks very exciting. Working for your profession and passion together. But when you start doing it, it is extremely difficult. However, if you want to do something with yourself and your life, you find ways, time and energy to do it, no matter what. I just want to say this that if you wish upon a thing and you want it for yourself. Just go for it. Life will throw opportunities at you no matter how small or big, just recognize them, grab them, exploit them and work as hard as you can. Nothing comes easy. You can have  varied interests and it is okay, find a way to balance it in your head, rest everything will fall in place.

Thanks a lot Yogricha for such amazing advice! This was surely a fun and beautiful conversation. You can follow Yogricha’s beautiful instagram account @yogricha for these gorgeous doodles that will surely make your day!