Author: communicatingcreatively

My main interests are: Sketching; Watercolour; Line & Wash Poetry/Writing; Oil Painting Photography;Judging Photography Public Speaking/Toastmasters Member of Toastmasters International, Gledswood Toastmasters Club - Distinguished Toastmaster Other:Cacti & Succulents, Reading, Walking. Member of: Red Point Artists Association; Cacti & Succulent Society of Australia Macarthur Art Group; Urban Sketchers Sydney Co-owner of Finance4Growth-Mortgage Broker Member of BNI Energy (Business Network International)

5 Minute Sketching Techniques

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books

As I write this, here some 60km/37miles South-West of Sydney, Australia, we are in week 9 of the latest lockdown (with another, hopefully, only 5 weeks to go) due to the Delta variant of Covid-19.

Like many millions of people around the world, to put it simply, ‘we are over it’ and we are constantly looking at ways to keep one’s sanity (or as they call it these days, our mental health) afloat.

Fortunately, I have a wide range of interests and am particularly glad that a couple of years or so back I took up sketching along with Watercolour. It really has been a life-saver for me. Whilst I sketch and paint, my Wife continues her Crotchet journey she started a year ago.

These interests are a huge help when we are not building our business. I also have a part-time job share where I mentor people who want to start a business.

Within the last month I spent some money at the Book Depository via a gift voucher to further my study of sketching. The books below are just two of a series of books tasked with providing the willing student with ‘5-Minute Sketching Techniques.’

I possibly will buy one or two of the other books in the series but right now (as far as Watercolour is concerned), I am aiming to improve my skills in Architecture and Landscape.

I am enjoying the books immensely and cannot wait for lockdown to finish so I can sketch and paint en Plein Air once more. Till then I have to make do at home.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

25 August 2021

Emotions Harnessed

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Taking Flight

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Food For Thought!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Today marks ‘Day 928 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day’ and I am happy to report that I haven’t missed a day of my ‘Daily Art Practice’ since I started this journey.

Day 928

I’ve learnt a lot (with much still to learn) and feel that overall I have progressed, though I have had many ‘plateaus’ on the way.

On occasions, people ask me, ‘so, what’s the goal?’ ‘Are you trying to reach 1,000, 2,000 or more?’ My answer remains the same… ‘my goal is to do a sketch a day and to endeavour to improve my skills.’

This weekend, after posting a sketch, one of my photographer friends commented that he felt I had improved a lot with my A5 daily sketches and suggested that it might be time to cut back on the daily sketches and concentrate over doing one A4 painting a week.

Day 927

This thought has some merit to it, I must admit. I’m still mulling over that one and feel that I have three options:

  • Keep going as I am
  • Do one A4 per week as suggested and drop the daily sketches
  • Do one A4 on the weekend and do daily sketches during the week

Am feeling that I would like to continue my daily art practice and I suppose that it doesn’t have to take the form of a Watercolour sketch every day (and posted to Instagram). I can see the merits also of pulling back and concentrating on larger paintings though, too.

Day 922

Till I decide I will keep doing the sketch a day…

Plenty of food for thought, though!

Written by David Johnson

15 August 2021

Talking With Painters

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

In Sydney at present, and since 26 June 2021 we have been in our second lockdown. One of the ‘breaths of fresh air’ is getting out for some exercise. My favourite type of exercise is walking. As mentioned in previous articles on this blog, sometimes I listen to the sounds of Nature, sometimes to music and other times to podcasts or short stories.

One of my favourite podcasts is one I subscribed to sometime ago, but only started listening to throughout the latest lockdown. That podcast is ‘Talking With Painters.’

‘Talking With Painters’ features Australian Artists talking to the Host, Maria Stoljar about their life and art. I’ve listened to half a dozen so far and I must say that I find them insightful, interesting and informative.

The podcast is available on:

There are currently 113 episodes available to listen to. I’m looking forward so much to my next walk!

Written by David Johnson

7 August 2021

Tentacles Of Life

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry

Winter Light

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Changing Your Life

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Watery Graves

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Just 8 Minutes Drive…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

One of the benefits of living in Camden, NSW, Australia is that we have in the vicinity a wonderful place to unwind and relax. Just eight minutes away is the scene below…

Nepean River, Camden

We are blessed to live so close to such a beautiful place and I have been down there many times over the years to walk, to relax and do other activities like, photograph, sketch, paint or read. Sometimes, my Wife, Susan will come down there with me as well to walk, sit and or Crotchet (an interest she has taken up in the last 12 months).

There is a Bike/Walking track (up higher) that runs alongside the river and on most days it is frequented by individuals or families to exercise or just have a leisurely outing. There are plenty of places along the 5km/3.1mile track for people to enjoy picnics, ball games etc, though during lockdown at present, the latter is/are not allowed.

Bike/Walking Track, Camden

Nothing seems to get people out to exercise like a lockdown, though. We went down there yesterday to get some exercise and there were quite a few more people exercising in one form or another.

The images in this article are all taken with a phone, however, over time, I have taken my DSLR down there in the early morning or late afternoon if there is something specific that I want to capture.

I’ve only started sketching down there in the past twelve months and I look forward to doing more. I’m quite challenged with the subject matter down there which is good as it will stretch me.

Here are some more images that I have taken over time.

One of the other activities I mentioned that I do down there was reading. It is such a great place to take a book. Often, I will take a book of poetry when I am going down there to sketch or paint.

All-in-all, I’m sure you will agree that it is a wonderful place to visit and relax and in particular, having a place like this so close takes on even greater value when we are in lockdown.

Till next time…

Written and Photographed by David Johnson

25 July 2021