After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)The house at 7 Hume Street was designed in 1955 by the modernist architect Douglas Alexandra (1922-2000). Between 1951 and 1996, Alexandra completed a number of significant projects including a regional art gallery and library complex at Hamilton, Victoria (1958-59). The residence in Hume Street is included in the RAIA Victorian Chapter's 20th Century Buildings Register. The house, and another residence in Molesworth Street (1961), is one of his notable residential projects. The aerial property illustration of the house by Margaret Picken was commissioned by the real estate agent Woodards in 1998. Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Pen and ink property illustration on drafting film of 7 Hume Street, Kew by Margaret Picken.7 HUME ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN ~98 / WOODARDS ~ HAWTHORN artist -- margaret picken 1950-, 7 hume street - kew (vic)., d.d. alexandra - architect, property illustrations -- buildings -- kew (vic.)