Wilson Street Project – a Year in the Life of a Street

A time to reflect on my main project for this past year  (2019).

I said I'd give myself one year to do a project on Wilson Street which is one of the oldest streets in Berwick (an outer suburb of Melbourne). The year was up in September 2019. My project was to sketch whatever took my interest walking up one side of Wilson Street (east of Wheeler Street) and back down the other side. The aim was to sketch and collect stories about the street from my own experience and from the people who live on it. It is also in essence the story of one year in the life of a street. 

As it's turned out I've sketched every building on the street and have collected stories from several occupants who have come out to speak to me. (I've only coloured in the houses to which I've been able to attach a story). 

The sketches were done on location. Colour and embellishments were added later with help from photo references. 

I feel my project is incomplete...the stories rather lame. Enough sketches I think, story collecting will have to continue.

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, homemade concertina sketchbook, 7 1/2" x 21" (folded into 6 panels).

Personal Spaces

I really love documentary drawing and recently had the opportunity to document the home of some family members. After living there for 23 years, their apartment was soon to be pulled down for re-development. 

I chose to do the project in a home-made concertina fold sketchbook (working on both sides). This way images could flow from one to the next (more or less moving through the apartment) and telling the story of a very personal space. 

The sketches and addition of watercolour were all done on location. I worked directly on the paper with ink with no preliminary pencil drawings. Embellishments and text were added later. 

I did little planning for this project and this resulted unfortunately with not enough space to achieve a nicer design on the last flap. I'd forgotten that this last flap forms the front page when the sketchbook is closed. Lesson learnt! 

I could have filled many more pages had there been more time. It was a nostalgic challenge as I knew this home well. 

#Fabriano hot press watercolour paper 5.5" x 30", #Sailorfude pen, De Artramentis document (waterproof) ink, watercolour. 

Sketching in the Theatre

Some people think I'm crazy...!? Here's people during the intermission of the performance Turandot at the State Theatre. 

#TombowMarker, #HandbookJournal 5.5"x5.5"

Favourite Sketch Tools

This was my basic sketch kit 5 years ago. The only changes I've made to my kit today are replacing the Lamy pens for Fude (bent nib) pens and I've ditched the watercolour pencils. 

The only additions I've made are Tombow markers (I like the big range of colours). 

I tried a dagger brush for awhile, painting and drawing solely with a brush (no pen or pencil) but it caused my finger joints to ache (I must try it again though). 

The enduring thing I do like is brown ink!

Backyards and Beyond

Looking through my sketchbook I've come to the conclusion I like drawing backyards! Here's a few done in the past few months. 

Backyard in Ringwood.

Here's a couple from where I park my car before Qigong class at Fiddlers Green. There's nothing nicer than sketching in the car when I have to wait.

And a last one done while waiting for a friend to serve lunch. 

#FaberCastellPittPen and #TombowMarker, #HandbookJournal 5.5"x5.5"

15 Rutland Street

Every time I walk past I've found this ramshackled house on Rutland Street quite fascinating. I sketched it some months ago but decided today to add a second colour to the sketch. It has been on the market for a long time and the garden is now even more overgrown. 

Constructed in 1957 it is apparently of architectural significance as a good example of a post-war house that demonstrates the influence of notable architects such as Robyn Boyd. I understand it had “heritage house” status. 

Hoping the owner will be able to sell soon!

#FaberCastellPittPen and #TombowMarker, #HandbookJournal 5.5"x5.5"

Casey U3A Berwick Sketchmeet

A wintery November blast didn’t deter 18 sketchers who turned up for the Casey U3A Berwick Sketchmeet on 8th November.  

After meeting in the Berwick Arcade, the hardiest of the group took themselves off up the street to sketch, some stayed to sketch in the arcade (myself included) and the rest took refuge in a café. 

A sketch of my scrumptious apricot tart while sketching in the arcade:

After two hours we met up again to share experiences and take a few photos. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the experience and left in good spirits with intentions to get together for another sketchmeet.

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, homemade concertina sketchbook.