Roam Free
Month: July 2023
Artistic Journey
A Cycle of Life
A Canopy Of Blue
Speaking To Your Soul
Ocean Creatures – A New Adventure!
Last year, as I was foraging through the Art section of the Argyle Emporium in Goulburn NSW Australia, (where they have 500,000 second-hand books), I came across a book, ‘Learn to Draw & Paint Ocean Creatures’ by Daniel DePierre. It cost the princely sum of $2.00, is A4 in size and is only 31 pages in length.
After the initial purchase, it sat on the shelf for some time. I would pick it up occasionally, look through it and think, ‘I should have a go at sketching/painting one of the subjects.’
I bought the book initially because I had never attempted to sketch/paint marine creatures and thought it would ‘get me out of my comfort zone.’ Every time I looked at attempting one though, I had thoughts like, ‘I really need to be less tired to do this’, or ‘I’m not in the mood to attempt this’ etc. This sort of thinking is not really helpful at all.
On the 23 January this year, I finally decided to attempt one, a Manta Ray. I am using the images as a reference to sketch from but I am not actually doing the tutorials. This was for Day 1,452 of a Watercolour Sketch a day. I was pretty happy with my attempt.
I had planned to do my next marine creature the week after (and do one a week) however, it didn’t work out that way. The next time I attempted one was on 14 May (4 years, 108 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day). This time, I attempted the Walrus and am pleased with this one as well.
Third one attempted was a Dolphin. Love Dolphins! Such intelligent, friendly creatures. The Dolphin sketch was the most fun thus far. This one was done on the 9 July this year (4 years, 164 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day). My Wife (who loves Dolphins even more than me), wants me to do an A4 version so we can get it framed and hung on the wall.
The final one I have attempted as at today was a Blue Whale which I did this morning as my, 4 years, 171 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day. Very happy with this one!
There are 10 more marine creatures left to in the book and some of them appear quite challenging:
- Clown Fish
- Emperor Penguin
- Great White Shark
- Deep Sea Angler
- Moray Eel
- Whale Shark
- Lobster
- Sea Horse
- Sea Turtle
- Octopus
I’m sure that the above list will be as fun as they are challenging, which are two great reasons to do them. I shall be revisiting the ones that I have already done, over time as well to see if I can improve on them.
It is really enjoyable, ‘stepping out of one’s comfort zone.’ Stepping out of your comfort zone really is ‘where growth happens.’
When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Till next time, happy sketching and painting! 🙂
Written, Sketched and Painting by David Johnson
16 July 2023
Pink and Blue
Mind Settles
Urban Wollongong Sketchers
Last Sunday, I met up with the Urban Sketchers Wollongong on a field trip for the first time. The meet was held at Port Kembla, near Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Port Kembla is well known in Australia for Steel manufacturing and it covers a huge area of land near the Pacific Ocean. I can still remember going on a school excursion there back in Primary School. It was (and is a massive place).
Our field trip location was at the end of Christy Drive, Port Kembla and one of the subjects people were sketching appears below.
I had been down to this location once previously, with my Wife, Susan and remember remarking that, ‘wow, that would take some patience to sketch’, as I turned away to sketch something that I thought was easier to sketch…
So, here I was back there and this was one of the subjects to choose from.
Here is my effort below.
Overall, I am happy with the attempt however, I am conscious that I added too much water to the sky, particularly around the edges. Another learning experience, for sure.
Before we headed off for a coffee and lunch at a nearby lunch spot, I managed to complete a pen sketch of a nearby pier. I added the colour to it last night.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time meeting, sketching and interacting on a social level with the Artists from the Urban Wollongong Sketchers and am looking forward to attending the next field trip in August.
Happy Sketching/Painting!
Written, sketched and photographed by David Johnson
8 July 2023
For more information on the Urban Wollongong Sketchers:
The Character of Trees
When I go for a walk, I love looking at trees.
Each tree has its own special character. The branches often remind me of veins or arteries. Here are a few that I’ve come across recently. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 🙂 All shot on an iPhone 8Plus.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
3 July 2023
Communicating Creatively 