Recently, as I was recovering from Covid (for the first time), I flicked on YouTube and came across a video on Faber Castell Water Soluble Graphite Pencils. I had heard of Watercolour and Inktense pencils before (and have some of each), but had never heard of the former.
I watched the video, then some other videos on the subject and became quite interested in them so I jumped onto Amazon and saw that a Faber Castell set of 5 pencils, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B and a Brush in a lockable tin was 32.00 AUD. Without the tin it cost $15.43 AUD. Once bought, I knew they would probably never go back in the tin so I purchased the set without it.
Below are my first two attempts with them.
I’m happy with the first two attempts though obviously have plenty to learn in terms of e.g., what are suitable subjects for these medium; how should I best use the pencils, and increasing my skill level. Looking forward to practicing with them to see what I can come up with. 🙂
If you have never taken any images from inside your car when your car is going through a n automated car wash, then I highly recommend it when you next take your car for a wash.
Below are are series of images I have taken in car washes over time. I find it fascinating and enjoy seeing what kinds of images I can come out with each time.
So, next time you take your car for a wash, remember to take your camera out!
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!
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
‘had always wanted to try sketching and/or painting’ but hadn’t,
‘those that had been doing it but had stopped’, or
those who think that they don’t have time’ to go ahead and try it/take it up again, as it offers:
some great mental health benefits
it’s fun and relaxing
All-in-all a fun day! Looking forward to next year’s event.
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.
“Towards Lone Pine” – Norfolk Island
“Out To Sea”
“Country Cottages”
“Ready To Go” – Greenwell Point
“Crookhaven Heads”
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. 🙂
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:
Firstly, it finally happened
I was grateful to received quite a few compliments about my Art
Picked up a couple of followers on Instagram
Some people said they would check out this Blog
I encouraged a lady who had recently taken up sketching to come along to the next Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet
I learned a lot yesterday about how I am going to present my Art at Red Point Artists next month, ‘Artists In Action’ at Camden Civic Centre next Sunday and other places
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.
Last night, my Wife, Susan and I decided to attend ‘Cultural Fusion’ which is an event put on by the local Council. It features Art and Craft stalls, Art for sale and local musicians.
Visitor numbers seemed a bit down however, this could have been caused by the fact it was the Thursday before the Long Weekend here in New South Wales. I’m sure visitor numbers will pick up closer to Christmas.
We found it delightful and had fun catching up with some of the Artists I know personally and it was great to make new connections.
It is on every month for the next five months and there is a chance for me to have a table or put some of my Art up for sale so I’ll certainly be investigating those. 🙂
Yesterday, myself and approx. 50-60 other Urban Sketchers attended the September Sketch-meet. Our destination was the Sydney Opera House, which in a month’s time will have been open for 50 years.
I remember watching the opening in October 1973 on a Black & White TV set from our home approx. 13km/8 miles from the Sydney CBD. I still remember running up to the bridge over the railway line half-way between my suburb and the next so we could see a whole mass of balloons being sent into the sky from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Of course we could not see the bridge itself, but we did see the the a mass of balloons rise in the distance.
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most uniquely designed structures in the world.
I must say I was very pleased to attend this Sketch-meet as this the first standalone Sydney Sketch-meet I have been able to attend this year.
Rather than try to sketch the whole building, I chose to do a section of it and am very happy with the result.
As you can see from the first photo, it was perfect weather and it was quite a relaxing experience. I find the whole experience of sketching/painting, meditative, particularly when I do minute details, like the tiles in the ‘Sails.’
One of the things that I really look forward to at the the Sketch-meets is the ‘Throwdown’ as seen in the photos below. It’s wonderful seeing all the different styles and mediums that people use to create their Art. So inspirational.
All-in-all it was a great morning of sketching. It is so great to get together with a group of creators.
The ‘Urban Sketchers’ are a world-wide movement which is in over 60 countries, 394 cities with over 120,000 members. For more information, check out their website https://urbansketchers.org/ so you can find a chapter near you.
Yesterday, my Wife, Susan and I attended an Urban Sketch-meet that was organised by Urban Sketchers Blue Mountains. They were invited to sketch in the Gardens of the Norman Lindsay Gallery.
Norman Lindsay was a famous, prolific, controversial and award-winning Australian Watercolour and Oil Painter, Etcher, award-winning Novelist and a Sculptor. His creativity is on display at the abovementioned gallery which is situated at his former home on 49 acres in Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains West of Sydney Australia.
The Urban Sketchers Blue Mountains invited members of Urban Sketchers Sydney up for the morning for approximately 2 hours of sketching.
There were about 30 in attendance and it was a delightful Winter’s day. We were bathed in sunshine and blue skies and it was about 19C/66F. Quite warm for Winter in the Blue Mountains.
It was a wonderful morning of sketching and relaxing. I even took a poetry book with me and spent a short time after sketching just sitting in the Sun reading. It was such a peaceful location.
After the sketch-meet was over, we decided to go on the property tour and were blessed to see the actual studios where Norman Lindsay painted and etched. We then viewed the gallery, which also featured art by Norman’s Brother, Lionel who was also quite talented as well.
On the way home we stopped at The Bunker (cafe/restaurant/bar) in Springwood and also visited the ColourArt Australia Art & Craft store across the road. One cannot pass up an opportunity to venture to an Art store that you haven’t been into before… 🙂 Picked up a couple of things there.
All-in-all it was a beautiful relaxing day in picturesque surroundings.
I have just found out today that the next Urban Sketcher Sydney sketch-meet is early in September at the Sydney Opera House, which is celbrating it’s 50th anniversary this year.
Communicating Creatively 