Wilson Botanic Park May 2025

Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick (an outer suburb of Melbourne), is a favourite sketch venue for my small group of sketch friends. We make a point of sketching there a few times every year as there's so much to sketch. This visit was no exception. 

A coldish and gloomy afternoon turned gloriously sunny and warm! Lots of interesting people were promenading or walking their dogs. There was even a beautiful Afghan lady (an actress and model as we discovered) having her photo taken. A large group of cyclists rode (illegally) through the park.  Some  people stopped to talk to our small sketch group. 

What I thought were a “rather too young” bride and groom came by and I included them in my sketch. We later found out they were high school kids dressed for Debutant Night (not Prom night as I had written on my sketch page). One of our group explained that the large tree on the right is a North American Swamp Cypress. It will turn red like the tree next to it. Unfortunately the lilies in the pond around the tree were no longer flowering. The sun was casting strong shadows by the time I came to add colour. 

Here's the group of strange Yucca Trees. 

To read the intriguing history of the park, click on the link below:

https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/history-of-wilson-botanic-park-berwick

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour,#Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5”.

ANZAC Day 2025 Sketch

I have sketched at 3 previous ANZAC Day ceremonies held at the cenotaph on High St, Berwick (an outer suburb of Melbourne). This year, I was joined by 5 sketch friends. Going by previous years I knew a good place to stand with my sketchbook. The troops turned the corner at the Old Post Office and proceeded down the hill to the cenotaph. It was a small but nonetheless moving ceremony. The crowd seemed smaller than previous years even though the rain stayed away till it was over.

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, Hahnemuehle Sketchbook A6.

A Staycation in Southbank

 Our short staycation in Southbank in the city last month was a nice milestone to reach after a challenging few months of health issues.

This first sketch was started along Southbank at the St Kilda Road end while having lunch at Sake. It's a great (but very expensive) Japanese restaurant which serves some unusual dishes. This was our second visit there and we will go again. 

This second sketch was done a bit further along the river near Evan Walker Bridge while having a cup of coffee from the Foodcourt (talk about a come-down!). What a glorious sunny afternoon and I thought our summer was over.

This next one is a view of the back of Flinders St Station from Southbank. 

Here I'm trialing a Hahnemuehle two sketchbook bundle. Lovely and smooth to draw on with my ink pen! I added a wash later. There was slight buckling on the back of the main page but it disappeared when fully dry. This bundle contained two softcover sketchbooks (pink and grey). Each 20 sheets, A6, $10.65 for the bundle from Senior Art Supplies. Lovely paper to draw on (very fine tooth, almost smooth), no see through. I’d have to make a hard cover sleeve to make it ideal. I like it as it would be so lightweight to carry.

Last dinner at the Waterfront Fish Restaurant along the river. We sure went big on fish this trip as we both had fish the night before when we met up with S and D for dinner to celebrate their recent wedding.

We will be back!!

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, #Stillman&Birn Beta Sketchbook, 7.5”x 7.5” and Hahnemuehle Sketchbook Bundle A6.