Lorette E Roberts: Sketches of Hong Kong Life

Artist, Lorette E Roberts, brings Hong Kong to life 

(This image used with permission from Lorette E. Roberts.)

This coffee table book is the perfect Christmas gift, birthday gift and souvenir of Hong Kong.  It's colorful, it's cheerful and  it's so Hong Kong.

It's only recently that a copy of The Second Edition of sights and Secrets of Hong Kong fell into my eager, waiting hands.  I've coveted Lorette Roberts' books ever since I moved to Hong Kong, so it was with great delight that I received this one.  It is evident that Lorette loved her life in Hong Kong.  She depicts all her characters and subjects with great empathy.  Everything you ever thought you knew about Hong Kong and so much more that you didn't know are within the covers of this book. 

Just look at the cover of the book... all the familiar bits of Hong Kong are there as well as some surprises.  Those dear little children are enchanted by the view of Hong Kong Island across Victoria Harbour.  There are the Star Ferry and the Peak Tram, must dos on your Hong Kong tour.  You can also see the Cantonese Opera, Dragon Boats and Lion Dance.  Wouldn't you love to get your mail in a mail box like this?  Usually, there are several lined up together.  And the marvelous, old village houses of the countryside.  If you come to Hong Kong, you must try the Dim Sum!  Dim Sum literally means touch the heart.  They are tasty little morsels, small enough to let you taste a few different kinds.

What I find so attractive about her books is the color.  It's everywhere!  And she isn't exaggerating the color she sees.  Hong Kong really is that colorful.  Her sense of humour shines through in every page with tons of comments wrapping themselves around the pictures.  She loves old, brightly colored doors, mail boxes and all sorts of interesting artifacts. 

There are three pages that I especially like and they are the Lantau page, the Hong Kong Park page and the Markets page, showing, what else, the Flower Market!  Mind you, I like them all, but I've spent so much time at these places with my camera taking hundreds of pictures, it's just refreshing to see them in the form of sketches.  

On Lantau, she's got a sketch of my favorite wild creature, the water buffalo, a protected species here in Hong Kong, and glorious Tai O, nestled between the sea on the front and the mountains on the back.  There's quiet, serene Mui Wo, a haven for expats from the busyness of downtown.  (Just as an aside, the lovely thing about living in Mui Wo is that you can have a car, unlike Discovery Bay.  Something to consider if you're moving to Hong Kong.)

(This image used with permission from Lorette E. Roberts.)

Then there is Hong Kong Park with it's aviary, conservatory, ponds, water falls and Tea Museum.  It's a wonderful place to stroll or sit and eat your lunch, read a book, take pictures, sketch, play with the children.  You can watch the fish and the turtles in the pond.  The conservatory is fantastic and well worth a visit.  Lorette has drawn the water fall, some birds, water lilies, flowers and the Tea Museum on this page.  I'm surprised there are no people because they are so much a part of the park.

(This image used with permission from the artist, Lorette E. Roberts.)

Lastly, the Flower Market.  It's right next to the Bird Market.  Wow, look at the color on this page.  You see?  I told you this is a great place to come on a dreary day.  It lifts your spirits immediately.  There's a sketch of the Fish Market too.  If you like fish, I suppose it's a good place to hang out.  Me?  I prefer the Flower Market

(This image used with permission from Lorette E. Roberts.)

Oh my, every page is full of such gorgeousness, I wish I could share the whole book with you right here, but I can't.  You'll have to get your own copy of Sights and Secrets of Hong Kong.  Amazon is out of stock right now, but you can get the First Edition on the right.  When the Second Edition becomes available I will let you know.

Along with Sights  and Secrets of Hong Kong, she has also composed several other books depicting Hong Kong life.

• Sketches of So-Ho
• Sketches of Stanley
• Sketches of Sai Kung
• Colours and Characters of China
• Singapore, Sketches of the Lion City 

Currently residing in Suffolk, England, Lorette will be back in Hong Kong in April and May  and will be running some sketch workshops.  If you're interested in joining her, leave a note on her website and she will be in touch with you. 


You might be too late for Christmas, but surely you don't need an occasion to treat yourself, or someone else that you know who has a special interest in Hong Kong, to this delightful collection of sketches. It's the perfect coffee table book.  That's where mine is sitting in my home.

Now if I could just get my hands on a copy of Colours and Characters of China...!