Recently, I purchased some Baohong The Master’s Choice, Artist Quality Watercolour paper and I must say it continues to impress me. It is 300gsm, 100% Cotton, Rough Block paper.
I love the texture and how well it takes water and paint. The Lighters above are what Norfolk Island used to use to put cargo on from visiting ships. There are a few dotted around Kingston, Norfolk Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
28 April 2024
This is just a random selection of images that I found a delight to view.
Beautiful images surround us everyday, if we only will increase our awareness.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
28 April 2024
Yesterday was my third time having a stall at Red Point Artists, ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ event in Port Kembla.
It was a quieter day, people-wise yesterday, as their was a Maker’s Market on at Wollongong University. Usually at a Wollongong Maker’s Market there could be anything from 50 – 100 Art & Craft stalls.
Still, we had a fun time. In between talking to the people who did visit, I worked on my Watercolour Sketch a Day project, and on another larger Watercolour that I have been working on over the last couple of weeks.
I also had some inspiring conversations with both visitors to Red Point Artists, and some of the Artists themselves. Susan enjoyed conversing with others and also did some Crochet.
After packing up, we attended an exhibition by three Red Point Members, Linda Simpson, Heidi Uhlig and Alan Blake, which is being held in Gallery Eight within the Red Point Art precinct. The exhibition features Mixed Media, Watercolour and Carvings. The exhibition is on until 17 April 2024 at 100 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.
On the way home we stopped into one of my favourite Art Stores, Levers, which is a long established, family run, Picture framing & Fine Art materials store, or as I like to call it, ‘Art Heaven.’
If you are in the Wollongong area, pop in our check it out.
Looking forward to the second Saturday in May, when I will be back at Red Point for the Art, the craft and the conversation!
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
14 April 2024
It has been a very hectic time over the past week. It is a long time since my first post of the month hasn’t been posted before the 6th day of the month.
Today, I have a few more images from our rec ent time away to Greenwell Point on N.S.W. coast, near Nowra.
I am an early riser anyway and the location we were staying at was so close to the water. The three photos here were within easy walking distance of our cabin. On each morning we were away, regardless of the weather, I was up to catch the morning light then sketch for an hour or more.
I think Sunrise is my favourite part of the day. Beautiful light, the peace and serenity of the moment, and the start of a brand new day!
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of being part of ‘Artists In Action’ again.
My first appearance at this event, last year was so enjoyable I thought I would do it again this year.
Some 30 or so local Artist’s, some professional, some semi-professional, and some enthusiasts, all combined to showcase their art and craft at the Camden Civic Centre in Camden, some 60km (37m) south-west of Sydney, Australia.
It was such a fun event again. People of all ages came in to view our art and craft. There demonstrations and workshops, and people could enjoy having a go at creating art.
At my table, I had some my art on display and in between talking to people, I went about doing a couple of watercolour sketches, including my, ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’ that has been going for over 5 years now.
As I did last year, I encouraged people who
All-in-all a fun day! Looking forward to next year’s event.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
31 March 2024
It’s always fun to trying new things.
In this particular case, I’ve been trying out a type of watercolour paper that I haven’t used before. It’s ‘The Masters’s Choice – Artist Watercolour Paper’ made by Baohong. It has a rough texture, and I’m using the block paper version – 300gsm, 15cm x 23cm. It’s also the first time I have used block paper.
I simply love this paper! I’m not an expert in papers and I’m still in the very early stages on this journey of Watercolour. I love the texture and the way it handles colour and water.
I’ve included a few samples below.
The 15cm x 23cm size as it is quite convenient to carry in a small backpack, along with my Winsor and Newton Field Kit, Aquawash brushes and some paper towel. Pop in a couple of pencils, an eraser and a selection of pigment liners, and a white pen and ‘I’m ready to go!’
I sold the ‘Country Cottages’ painting earlier this month at Red Point Art & Craft on the Grass, Port Kembla, NSW, Australia.
I highly recommend giving this paper a go. Looking forward to using the cold press 300gsm as well. I just received some gift vouchers for my birthday earlier this week. 🙂
Till next time!
Written and painted by David Johnson
31 March 2024
Our recent short trip down to Greenwell Point, near Nowra recently offered up a host of different photographic opportunities, as well as sketching and painting ones.
Here are a few more of the photographic ones that I found. 🙂
I have more to post from trip. It is/was such a quiet, relaxing trip (we did it outside of school holidays). I would highly recommend it if your are looking (as we were) for a relaxing, short getaway.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
I’ve been a member of Red Point Artists for about 3 – 4 years however, it is only this year that I took a leap of faith and set up a table with my Watercolours at the monthly, ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ event.
The first time I did this was in February this year. Due to inclement weather, we set up inside in the main gallery.
The second time was yesterday. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we were all able to set up outside.
As with the first time, I was just happy do be there, displaying my Art and chatting to and encouraging people to be creative and/or rekindle a lost creative passion.
I also had a sign advertising my ‘Daily Art Practice’ aka my ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’ which as of yesterday was 5 years, 43 days straight.
My thought was that ‘if I sold anything it would be a bonus.’ As the first hour was drawing to a close, that bonus arrived! I sold the following painting…
This is the first painting I have sold at Red Point Artists, and the fourth sale overall.
I would like to thank Red Point Artists for the opportunity to have a table there, and for the inspiring Artists and Craft-makers that I am surrounded by. Looking forward to the second Saturday of April when we will do it all again.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
10 March 2024
At the end of February/early March, my Wife, Susan and I escaped for 5 nights/6 days down to Greenwell Point which is roughly 2 hours drive away from where live. It is located just past Nowra which approximately, 176 kilometres or 109 miles from Sydney.
It is a beautiful, quiet spot and was even quieter as it wasn’t school holidays.
I’ll be posting more images from our short trip over time however, here is a small selection of abstract images of subjects that ‘attracted my eye’ on this trip.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
9 March 2024
These images are just random images that I have taken over time, when the opprtunity presents itself. Hope you enjoy them. 🙂
Awareness. One of our greatest gifts.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
29 February 2024
The images below were taken last week when my Wife, Susan & went into the City (Sydney) for lunch to celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary.
After a long lunch, we took a casual stroll around Circular Quay just relaxing and enjoying the views.
Beauty is all around us. We just need to be ‘aware.’
Till next time!
Written & Photograpghed by David Johnson
29 February 2024
Yesterday, for the first time, I put my Artistic efforts on a table for sale to the general public. I did this at Red Point Artist’s, ‘Art & Craft On The Grass’ at Port Kembla, NSW, Australia. Port Kembla is approx. one hour’s drive from where we live.
I have been a member of Red Point Artists for just over three years, and this was my fifth attemp at having a sale table down there. The previous attempts, well, life got in the way as it sometimes can. Yesterday, I just took my Watercolour and Line & Wash images down.
Normally, the Artist’s tables would be out on the grassed area however, due to rain appearing when we were due to set up, most of us were inside the gallery.
So, did I sell anything? Not this time.
Was the day still a success? Yes, definitely due to the following:
It is so satisfying to have finally achieved the above and am very grateful to Red Point Artists for the opportunity and the support of the members. 🙂
The images below are of the Art precinct of Red Point and some of the other Artists presenting their Art.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
11 February 2024
Earlier today, I attended my first Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet this year. I don’t actually live the Wollongong (Illawarra Region) in NSW however, we quite often visit the region as I am also a member of Red Point Artists, which is located on the coast to the South. The beaches of Wollongong are the closest beaches to where we live, some 66 kilometres away (41 miles). For us, that is a short drive.
Today’s outing was only 51km (32 miles) away and it was held at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.
Only 7 Sketchers turned up today (it was very hot), and we met at the Campus Cafe, called ‘Piccolo Me’ cafe. We had a half-hour chat then ventured out to select our subject.
I found the unusually-designed building below…
After deciding to do this one, I have to decide how much of it to do. For some reason, I seem to gravitate towards subjects with lots of lines. Knowing I only had a relatively short time-frame, I decided not to do the whole scene.
I found doing this sketch quite challenging and would do it differently next time I think. I haven’t done a lot of en Plein air as yet. I really do enjoy it though.
After the sketching, we all had lunch and had a ‘throw-down.’ This is where all the sketches are put on the ground (this time it was a table) so that everyone can see what has been sketched and we can see all the different styles. Unfortunately, this time, I don’t have a photo of all the different sketches.
I really enjoyed the company and the ‘Arty’ conversation once again.
Looking forward to next month’s Sketch-meet!
If you are interested in finding out more about the Urban Sketchers, I shall put a link below. There are Urban Sketch Groups all over the world.
Till next time – Happy Sketching!”’
Written by David Johnson
4 February 2024
We have moved house since the last instalment and so that opens up new opportunities for image-taking. Please the comments on each of the 9 images below.
I hope you enjoyed my latest selection.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
30 January 2024
Today marks 5 years of doing a Watercolour Sketch a Day, every day, straight!
On 26 January 2019, I decided to aim to do a Watercolour Sketch a Day as I wanted to:
I remember that after 7 days being happy that I had managed to get that far. Prior to setting my goal of a Watercolour Sketch a Day, I used to do one and then Life would get in the way, and before too long, 2 weeks had gone by. At that rate, it would take me a long time to improve.
Here is Watercolour Sketch a Day #1
It was done on cheap Monte Marte Watercolour paper with Winsor and Newton Cotman Half-Pan Watercolour paint.
About a month after I started, I was about to sign up for 10-week Watercolour course, then the first Covid lockdown hit, and so no course. Instead, I did 120 days straight of YouTube tutorials.
As time went by, gradually I improved however, I also noticed that I would ‘plateau’ and sometimes it seemed that I was going backwards…
Mostly, I endeavour to do the Watercolour Sketch a Day in the early morning before ork although due to various commitments, that is not always possible. The later in the day it gets done, of course the more tired I am so sometimes, the resulting sketch is not as good perhaps as it would have been if I had completed it earlier. Whatever I come up with I post on my Instagram page called ‘Communicating Creatively.’ All 5 years of Watercolour Sketch a Day’s are there.
The latest I have completed was 11.00pm at night.
Also, over time, I changed to using Artist quality Watercolours (Winsor & Newton; Daniel Smith and Schminke), and starting using Artist quality 300gsm/100% Cotton (Saunders Waterford; Winsor & Newton), and Art Spectrum 300gsm/35% Cotton materials.
Here is today’s Watercolour Sketch a Day.
So, where to from here?
I am looking forward to doing Watercolour Sketch a Day, 5 years 1 Day tomorrow. Yes, the journey will continue as I feel I have a long way to go to get to where I want to be as an Artist. I need to get outside my comfort zone more, too.
A few people have asked me, over time, what is the number you are heading for?
My reply is simple, all I am aiming to do is ‘a Watercolour Sketch a Day’ to practice and improve my skills. I just happened to have done that every day, for 5 years straight.
Happy painting!
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
26 January 2024
Today’s post is Watercolour Sketch a Day, 4 years, 363 days (in a row).
It has been a fairly hectic start to the year work and other commitment-wise and I think the subject of today’s sketch was clearly about my mind looking for a rest, I feel…
I called it, ‘Meditative.’
Is the art that you produce always reflective of your current mood?
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
24 January 2024
This recent collection features clouds, cacti and a few other things. The cacti flowers are from my own plants and (as with no doubt many people), clouds have always fascinated me.
I recall as a child, often laying on the grass, looking up at the clouds as they drifted on by, slowly altering shape. It was and remains, a wonderful way to relax. Remember to pop on some sunscreen though.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
27 December 2023
It’s been approximately 2 weeks since I last posted. It has been rather a frantic time of late. Packing up the house and moving day(s) always are, and particularly when we we moving in a range of temperatures from 35C to 43C (95F to 109F).
We have moved about 20 kilometres (12.4 miles) West of where we used to live in Camden, which was about 60 kilometres (37 miles) South-West of Sydney, Australia, and are living in an area that is classed as semi-rural.
One of, if not the major highlight out is Lake Burragorang (pictured below) which is part of the Warragamba Dam (Sydney’s largest) Catchment Area, and is part of the Blue Mountains National Park. Best of all it’s only 8 minutes drive away. 🙂
We have visited it a number of times over the years. To have it so close is wonderful. I look forward to sketching and painting up there.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
14 December 2023
Almost a year ago, a fellow Cacti & Succulent lover gave me a cutting of the plant below and it has just flowered for the first time.
Like some of my other Cacti flowers, it is a nocturnal-opening flower and it was such a joy to be greeted by this flower when I walked around the corner of the house a few days ago.
When I saw it initially, I thought it had opened fully however, much to my surprise and enjoyment, it opened up even further during the day.
To identify it, I posted a some photos and a question in the Members Only Facebook Group of the Cacti & Succulent Association of Australia. It has been identified as a ‘Peniocereus serpentinus.’
I am so looking forward to seeing the plant’s next flower bloom.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
30 November 2023
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