Postcode 3003: West Melbourne

North Melbourne Station, on Wurundjeri Country

For Postcode 3003, I knew I wanted this train station because I am yet to visit a station with such a magnificent view. I love looking south down the deadly straight tracks leading to the cityscape of Melbourne. Whenever I'm at this station I will always take a moment to take in that view. Surely this would be a winning shot for me to sketch! But something about it wasn't working for me. It looked so mundane. I couldn't frame anything. And somehow it looked far too dark. Mildly disappointed, I turned 180 degrees and saw THIS stunning view instead! So I packed up my bag and rushed over to the ledge that faces west. For a winter's day at 4pm, this was a rare treat.

Now for a confession. This is not a plein air sketch, which means that instead of drawing on-site, I took a photo and drew it at home . My eyes just couldn't stand looking into that bright, western sun, and being so high up in a windy train station I was scared that I'd drop my pencil or my sketchbook! But, it also meant that I could be much more careful in this sketch. Something else for me to confess: I am so impressed with myself and how this one turned out! The clouds are exactly as they were, the sunlight is shining through perfectly, the long shadows of the poles create a hint of drama, and the shine of the metallic bounces off the train and the tracks beautifully! I still want to say that most of this was an accident, but it could also be an indication that the more I draw, the more refined my drawings will be, and the more I will find joy in the things that I create.