Category: Painting

Natural History Illustration Workshop

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the above workshop. It was held at the Alan Baker Gallery in Camden, NSW, which is about a 20-minute drive East of where we live.

The workshop was facilitated by talented local Natural History Illustrator Esther Bolz. It focused on capturing the flora and fauna of the Nepean River, celebrating World Rivers Day.

We were asked to choose from a selection of flora or pick out an animal from an image, and draw from that. I chose flora, namely, “Australian Indigo”, as seen below.

Chose to paint it in Watercolour. Quite happy with it.

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

6 October 2025

Going Outside One’s Comfort Zone! – Attempting Different Subjects

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I’ve been wanting to explore this subject for some time. I’ve just recently joined the ‘Seascape Art’ group on Facebook and have been marvelling at the creations of artists much more experienced than I. The paintings on there are quite inspiring!

Materials used above are:

  • A5 Aquarelle 100% Cotton Cold Press sketchbook purchased from Amazon
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
  • Aquawash Brushes
  • White Gel pen
  • Colours used: Turquoise Green Deep; Indigo and White

Have to say that I am happy with my first attempt. Looking forward to doing this subject on higher quality paper.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

9 June 2025

“Glacier” – 6 Years, 125 Days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Uncategorized

It has been another very hectic month for many reasons. I am fortunate to have started this daily Art practice a few years ago. Without this practice I think I would have been using the old excuse, “that I didn’t have time” a lot!

Here is today’s sketch.

Materials:

  • Aquarelle Watercolour sketchbook 300gsm Cold Press
  • Sumikondo Japanese Watercolours (Blue-Black)
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours (Indigo)
  • Aquawash & Neef brushes

I had a lot of fun doing this one!

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

31 May 2025

Watercolour Nature Journalling Workshop – So Much Fun!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Sunday, I had the absolute pleasure attending the workshop above. It was run by Linda Brown who is a professional artist from the Illawarra Region, south of Sydney. Linda is a fellow member of Red Point Artists, which is based at Port Kembla.

My Wife, Susan gave me a gift certificate for my birthday in March. The certificate was to be able to attend any of Linda’s workshop’s, and I chose this one as thought it sounded delightful, and it was. 🙂

We were asked to bring various natural subjects down, like Autumn leaves, twigs, bark, driftwood, shells, flowers, etc.

Linda guided us through different techniques during the day, which culminated in producing a Watercolour on Watercolour paper after first practising on sketchbook 110 gsm paper. This way, we could experiment on cheaper paper first.

As with any workshop, the people attending make it great as well, and there was a good mix of beginner to experienced artists, all ready to jump out of their comfort zones.

Here is my creation below, expertly guided by Linda Brown Artist. Thanks Linda! 🙂

Linda is running more of this type of workshop, plus others so if you see them advertised, I would highly recommend you check them out.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

6 May 2025

An Emotional Connection – My 7th Watercolour Painting Sold!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, my Wife Susan and I attended Red Point Artists Makers Market (formerly known as Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass), at the Red Point precinct in Port Kembla, (south of Wollongong) on the New South Wales coast.

It was a little bit different yesterday though as we formed part of the Annual Port Kembla Festival which included street stalls and live music up and down Wentworth Street, the main street in Port Kembla.

One of the highlights of the day was that I sold my 7th Watercolour painting, “Distant Mountains”, which appears below.

Materials:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour paper, rough, 300gsm 18cm x 26cm.
  • Sumikondo Japonesque Watercolours
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
  • Aquawash brushes

The lady who purchased it said it reminded her of where she grew up. Interestingly, the image/composition came from my imagination.

We never will truly know who will be interested in our creations. Just keep painting, sketching, and be confident enough to display your Art. Someone, somewhere may just have an emotional connection to your Art.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

13 April 2025

Fun With Kuretake Gansi Tambi Japanese Watercolours!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I must say that I am really enjoying using these Watercolours. Brilliant colours and a lovely texture are two of the positives so far. Using 300gsm 100% Cotton paper, either Cold Press or Rough texture.

Here are some examples from my Watercolour Sketch a Day practice.

“Coastal Delight” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 14 days.
“Sheer Cliffs” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 24 days.
“Sunrise” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 44 days.
“Earth” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 52 days.
“Light” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 63 days.
“Dawn” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 67 days.
“Into The Chips” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 69 days.
“Geologically Rich” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 70 days (today’s).

If you are wondering whether this brand of Watercolours a go, I would say ‘dive in and have some fun!’ 🙂

Till next time!

Written & Sketched/Painted by David Johnson

6 April 2025

Red Point Artists – March 2025 – Painting #6 Sold!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, Susan & I went to Red Point Artist’s Maker’s Market for the first time this year, having missed the first event of the year last month. It used to be called ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ which, I still think, is a better name.

There were not as many stalls this time, and was wondering if the inclement weather was to blame?

Regardless of how many stalls are there we always have a relaxing time. Between chatting to the visiting public and sketching/painting, it is always fun. You just never know who you might meet or help to encourage on their artistic journey.

There is always an exhibition as well and live music. All adds up to a great time.

As a bonus, I sold an A5 Watercolour painting yesterday, the image below called “Beside the Lake.” So grateful!

All in all, another enjoyable day!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

9 March 2025

Watercolour Sketch a Day – 6 Years Straight!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, I achieved another milestone with my daily art practice a, ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day.

As of yesterday, I have completed a Watercolour sketch daily for the past 6 years.

“Direction” – 6 Years of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

It’s a journey I started to:

  • Obtain consistent practice
  • Learn new skills – sketching, drawing, painting
  • Create an escape of sorts from the day

I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and have already completed the ‘6 years Day 1 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day’, today, so the journey will continue.

“Iceberg” – 6 Years, 1 Day of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

This ‘year’ I intend to attempt some different subjects over time and aim to include people in some of the images.

I am looking forward to where this journey takes me next!

Written, Sketched and Painted by

David Johnson

27 January 2025

“Serpent By The Sea”

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Below is my latest effort using the Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours that I was blessed to receive at Christmas. I am really enjoying using them.

For this painting though, I have also used Sumikondo Japanese Watercolours, and Daniel Smith paints. The latter on a minor scale.

Other materials used were:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice 300gsm 100% Cotton Rough texture Block paper.
  • Neef brushes
  • Aquawash brushes
“Serpent By The Sea”

The ‘Serpent’ was painted with the Sumikondo watercolours. The sand, ocean, and most of the island in the distance were painted with the Gansai Tambi watercolours. Daniel Smith paints were used a little for shadows, mainly under the rock.

The idea for the painting came from one of my Watercolour Sketch a Day sketches. This week’s painting was quite a different image in terms of colour and texture than the sketch I did below. Different paint and paper were used for this one.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

3 January 2025

A Delightful Christmas Present!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

As always, I am very grateful to receive gifts at any time, including Christmas, as we all should be.

This Christmas, I received a 36-set of Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours. I saw a fellow Macarthur Art Group member with these some months ago. Then, I did a bit of research on them.

I was asked a month before Christmas for some Christmas present hints. This set was one of four suggestions I gave out so the element of surprise was still there.

Here is my first attempt using them.

I love the colours’ richness. The paint’s texture is also impressive. According to the instructions, it can be used as a Gouache or as Watercolour.

I am looking forward to experimenting with these paints and getting to know them. Lots of fun on the horizon to be sure.

Till next time!

Written & sketched/painted by David Johnson

29 December 2024