Fountain Lake

When I drew this lake before, I didn't draw the fountain since I didn't really know how to tackle it. The water jets change as it does its cycle. When it stops, you have to wait for some kid to push the button again. (It goes for about 2 minutes each time.) The mist goes everywhere and it just 'looks like white'. So I sort of just tried to not really draw that area, and hint a little at what was behind the water, as the trees behind it appeared through it.

Pukekura Park

 While Brian was sketching the lake and Poet's bridge I sat in the sun and drew the queueing at the Tea Rooms ice cream hatch

Pukekura Park

Drawing and painting the lake in Pukekura Park. I put another layer of pen after the watercolours (that is not shown in the video.)

Trevor's potpouri

All sketched by Trevor

Fountain Lake

In Pukekura Park, there is a lake that has a fountain in the middle of it. A button on the edge activates a cycle of alternating water patterns for a couple of minutes. Kids love pushing it to get the fountain started. When I was there, a couple of men in suits were walking around doing work. I could tell because they were pointing at many things. One of them pointed to the button and the other one pressed it. Big smiles all around. Businessmen love the fountain too.

Sketching in Pukekura Park

An opportunity to join other Taranaki Sketchers on a lovely bright spring day in Pukekura Park , New Plymouth NZ.  This small waterfall is part of a continuing water course that flows through this beautiful park. MLB

Pukekura Park

A few months ago I was sitting on the steps of the band rotunda in Pukekura Park sketching. I started to watercolour it there but ran out of time about half-way through. I took it home and put it aside. Now that we're having a rainy week I took this pad back out to finish it and here we are.

Band Rotunda and Poet's Bridge, Pukekura Park.

Pukekura Park today. It's a nice spot to unwind. Here's the band rotunda and Poet's Bridge looking down from up the hill.

Pukekura Park Tea House

In the attempt to stay out of the heat, I went into Pukekura Park to sketch in the shade. As I sketched the Tea House on the lake, I kept thinking how they sell ice cream. Of course I was too weak to resist.

13th May 2013 Pukekura Park Fernery.

Last Saturday was a cold windy day, threatening to rain at times. We took refuge in the Fernery at Pukekura Park.

Here is my sketch:

I decided to try my Inktense Pencils and drew this Orchid.

Pukekura Park and the Boat shed

Saturday sketching in the Park- always a very pleasant place to be . This view across from the path  that leads to the Bowl of Brooklands covers  the Boat Shed and the smaller of the two bridges .MLB

Two Weekends Ago at the Fernery, Pukekura Park.

Here is my sketch from a couple of weekends ago. I've drawn the fish in the fernery pool at Pukekura Park multiple times, and they don't really get any easier! Here they are again and I'm still not happy. I think another visit will be called for.

 Make a Wish! The money thrown into the pool buys food for the fish. I note they're quite fat.

I do like the effect in my moleskine sketchbook. Two different days in the same location together.

TROPICAL PALM LEAVES

Tropical leaves at Pukekura Park

The Fernery and Display Houses, Pukekura Park.

Last Saturday we were at Pukekura Park. We chose the fernery because although it wasn't raining there was a cold wind about. I found a sunny sheltered spot and did this sketch of "The Fernery and Display Houses":

I then went inside and found all the others upstairs in the warm. My original intention was to draw 6 flowers inside the fernery. Oh well......Here's a leaf:

 The Fernery at Pukekura Park in New Plymouth is among the oldest of its kind in New Zealand .  Old tunnels that connect the some of houses have been carved from the clay banks.  Children love the adventure of discovering hidden tracks and getting lost - all within a safe confined space .   The old wooden glasshouses were replaced some years ago with state of the art glass roofs and automatic heating controls that open roof shutters  . This is a pleasant place anytime of the year.

( 6B pencil and drawing pen  )     MLB

Pukekura Fernery

A cool blustery day outside, but warm, pleasant sketching in the hot houses of the fernery.

Pukekura Fernery

Sketched by Patricia

Poet's Bridge, Pukekura Park.

A lovely sunny afternoon sitting sketching by the lake in Pukekura Park today. I decided to try
the Poet's Bridge again today.

Here is my sketch:
Pen and wash with watercolour.

The Taranaki Herald reported on 24 April, 1883 that, "the lucky winner who drew The Poet in the Auckland Autumn Handicap Sweepstake resides in New Plymouth, and has determined, in consequence of his good fortune, to erect a suspension bridge across the lake in the Recreation Grounds, to be called, we believe, "The Poet's Corner."

The lucky punter was James T. Davis, a local New Plymouth businessman, and the sum donated was £150. In the end the bridge was a fixed wooden structure with a span of 70 feet and has always been known as "The Poet's Bridge".

It was designed by Mr Henry Vere Barclay and the contruction was the responsibility of Mr Hooker. He was assisted by Mr William Campbell (carpenter), Mr James Bellringer (painter) and Mr James Revell (blacksmith). The bridge was officially opened on the evening of 10 March, 1884 by the Mayoress, Mrs Bayly.

In a tragic twist of fate, the donor, Mr Davis, was found drowned under the bridge in 1891.
The original bridge was rebuilt in 1938. Its colour scheme is based on the famous red-lacquered Shinkyo Bridge at Nikko,Japan.

Ref: Kete, PukeArili, George Fuller Collection.

Pukekura Park Tea Kiosk

In 1905 a Ladies bathing shed with tea rooms attached was constructed for 68 pounds.  It sent the Recreation Grounds Board well into overdraft.  The original land was purchased in 1876 and was called "The Rec".  Only in 1907 was the term Pukekura Park used, named after the stream which had been dammed to form the lake.  Pukekura meaning "Red Hill".

In 1931 the tea rooms were removed and a new tea kiosk constructed.

A steady stream of ice-cream purchasers queued up at the counter.

Pukekura Park

Sketched by Patricia at Pukekura Park