Spring Sketchabout Number Two

The second spring sketchabout was a dull day but lovely to be outside. We'd been expecting rain so we were highly delighted. A lot of new (to us) sketchers joined us and I hope very much we'll see them again.

We went to the Australian rockery & I drew these gymea lilies. I was at the top of this steep slope and the plants were part of the way down. They are so large that they towered above me. Hopefully you can tell that from the photo (courtesy of Jennifer).I had to put the north shore in and a yacht to get some scale.

I then drew some yellow kangaroo paw. I'd wanted to draw the red, but they were located mid-way down this steep slope. I've located some easily accessible ones up in Mrs Macquarie's Road, so hopefully they'll still be flowering next time I go.

First Sketchabout - Bamboo

The day of Sketchabout Week 2 has dawned and here I am posting from Week 1.

In the morning I had taught the handmade sketchbook, so I wanted a relaxing afternoon. I still had to eat my lunch, and then decided to do a 'study' of this green bamboo shoot. It is amazing. I could draw it again and again.

The bamboo in the Gardens fascinates me. I've drawn it many times and it is always different - apart from the fact that there are so many varieties, colours and configurations.

Went to the Botanic Gardens yesterday to check out the Tropical Centre as a sketching venue for my classes if we get a wet day. There are so many inspiring and amazing things to draw in there. Particularly checked out some plants that would be easy for beginners to sketch from and get a really good result.

I had never seen this plant before. It's just gorgeous in the flesh. It's called Beehive Ginger, but I wonder if the botanical name means 'respectable ginger'? And if there is one that is less respectable.