Within These Walls
Category: Painting
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
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:
Art Journaling Australia
Recently, a great friend and business owner I know (who is an Artist, Art Teacher and Art Therapist), Sharon Veness, set up a Facebook group called ‘Art Journaling Australia.’
I’ve been doing sketches for a few years now and have read about Art Journaling before, however I’ve not really had a consistent practice for it. This past week, I’ve joined Sharon’s new Facebook group and am enjoying the process.
Some of my Art Journaling will never see the light of day as it is quite personal however, some is less personal and I have been happy to share it in the group.
Here a couple of examples:
I’m really enjoying this process. It’s another way for me to communicate/express how I feel about things in my life and as I view the world on a daily basis.
If you are interested in checking out the Facebook link, here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/635381875168842
Happy Art Journaling! 🙂
Written by David Johnson
17 June 2023
From The Eyes Outward to The Eyes Inward
Last night I delivered a presentation at Macarthur Photographic Society, where I was a member from 1986 – 2014.
As I have for the past few years focused my attention on Painting and Sketching, I was asked if I could deliver a presentation on the similarities and differences between Photography and Painting.
As a foundation for the discussion take was to take place in the second half of the presentation – (after intermission) on the similarities and differences, I spoke about my journey in Photography, and showed some images across Slides, (Film) Monochrome and D
I then explained, ‘why I changed from Photography to Painting’ a few years back, which involved several reasons. (I will post about this at a later date). Following the reasons, I showed examples of my Paintings, two Oil and one Watercolour Line & Wash.
After intermission, I moved onto the similarities, and then the differences between Photography & Painting which brought interesting discussion. Again, I will post about these in a separate post.
I finished the presentation talking about future projects in both Painting and Photography.
As I was compiling the presentation I learnt a lot! It is a fascinating subject and I’m sure I will modify it as time goes on.
Written by David Johnson
25 May 2023
“Artist’s In Action”
Last Sunday, I was one of 30 ‘Creative’s’ that assembled down at the Camden Civic Centre to display our creativity. All manner of arts and crafts were on display.
There were:
- Painters
- Sketchers/Drawers
- Mixed Media
- Photographers
- Japanese Martial Arts
- Floral creations
- Chinese Brushwork
- Charcoal
- Pastel
- Bonzai
- Ballerinas
- Couture
- Live Demonstrations
- Talks
- Kids Competition
- and more!
Ho Yee Wong (Jo), the President of the Macarthur Art Group (of which I am a member), asked me if I would promote my ‘Everyday Art Practice’ aka my ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’? I said I would be glad to.
We were there for 8 hours (and open to the public for 6), and I completed a couple of Watercolour Sketches whilst chatting to interested onlookers.
I asked them whether they practised any form of art and/or craft and often, they would say that ‘they didn’t have time’, or ‘they were not talented enoough.’
Wanting to help them, I advised them that I wasn’t very good drawing as a child, or even up until into my 50’s( all true), however, it is a skill that can be learnt. As far as ‘time’ goes, most people have a certain amount of time that is wasted during our days.
We stand in queue’s or sit at the Mall eating lunch or having a cuppa. There are miniature sketchbooks available and you only need one pen. Instead of pulling out your mobile phone, use your sketchbook. You don’t even have to show it to anybody, it can just be your personal hobby.
The simple of act of sketching takes your mind off other things. It can be the ‘mental break’ that you need when you are trying to solve a problem, when you are stressed out or when you are bored.
You have time…
You can learn skills…
What are you waiting for?
Pick up that pen and sketchbook today! 🙂
Written by David Johnson
25 March 2023
4 Years and Counting…
I’m a bit late getting to post about this as there has been a lot happening in our Family and Life in general over the past three weeks…
On Australia Day, 26 January 2023, I achieved somewhat of a milestone with my Watercolour Sketch a Day project.
On the above date, I had completed a Watercolour Sketch a Day, every day, for 4 years. As of today, it is 4 years, 17 days.
As the 4 years straight of Watercolour Sketch a Day fell on Australia Day, I chose to do a Line and Wash sketch of a mammal that is unique to Australia, the Platypus.
It was my first attempt at sketching/painting this subject and I found it rather challenging!
I feel sure that I will attempt this subject again.
For more information on this unique creature, visit the following link.
https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/platypus/
Written by David Johnson
12 February 2023
A Generous Gift – Italian Handmade Watercolour Paper
Last year, a good friend, business associate and mentor, left for a business trip over to Europe. On her return, She presented me with a gift, a pack of “Amalfi Hand Made Watercolour Paper.” Alison said she saw this paper and thought of me. Thanks, Alison!
I was indeed very grateful as for one, I wasn’t expecting a gift at all and certainly not a pack of fine Italian Watercolour Paper!
Last year was an extremely busy and life-changing year and I struggled (particularly in the latter half of the year) to find, not only quality time but the state I wanted to be in to try the paper.
Today, for my Day 1,431 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day, I thought I would do it. Today, is New Year’s Day Holiday in Australia (as NYD fell on a Sunday), so it seemed like the perfect time to try the paper.
When trying any new paper, I’ve read that it is a great idea to try some small samples so I cut one of the 30cm x 30cm sheets into 6 pieces and I shall use them for my next 6 Watercolour Sketches a Day. This way, I can see how the paper performs, how it takes water and colour etc.
I also thought I would sketch a subject I had done before. It will take time for me to get used to the paper as it is many steps up from what I have been using up till now.
Here is Day 1,431 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day.
Written by David Johnson
2 January 2023
The Organic Artist
Last weekend on our anniversary celebration, I picked a book at a store in Berrima, N.S.W. called, ‘Six Impossible Things. Last year, I purchased a double-glass inkwell at the store and was delighted to see that they had moved to bigger premises.
Erica owns the store and is very helpful. I picked up a Postal dip pen nib and the book below.
The book seemed way too interesting to leave on the shelf. A few weeks back I was talking to a gallery director in Camden and he gave me a reed and showed me how to cut it so it could be used as a dip pen. Looking at my attempt I think I have more practice ahead of me. Oh well, something is worth doing badly until one becomes better at it.
In my limited look at the book since it appears to go a lot deeper into the technical details of creating such tools. I’m looking forward to exploring it more and having some more Arty fun!
Written by David Johnson
29 November 2022
Latest Watercolour Sketches a Day!
Well, moving house is finally over. Now it’s just continuing to open boxes, sort, and set up the different rooms.
I’m a fair bit behind in posts for this month so I had ‘better get my skates on!’
I’ve included a few of my latest Watercolour Sketches a Day. That is all the art-related endeavour I have been able to do lately. Hope you enjoy them.
I’ve been trying to experiment with layers and letting the water do more of the work and I like the effects I am getting so I think I will head more in this direction.
Written by David Johnson
25 November 2022
Communicating Creatively 