boats – Communicating Creatively

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 14

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

It has been a very hectic time over the past week. It is a long time since my first post of the month hasn’t been posted before the 6th day of the month.

Today, I have a few more images from our rec ent time away to Greenwell Point on N.S.W. coast, near Nowra.

I am an early riser anyway and the location we were staying at was so close to the water. The three photos here were within easy walking distance of our cabin. On each morning we were away, regardless of the weather, I was up to catch the morning light then sketch for an hour or more.

I think Sunrise is my favourite part of the day. Beautiful light, the peace and serenity of the moment, and the start of a brand new day!

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

Exploring A Subject – You Never Know What You Might Find…

28/02/2023 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

One of the things I’ve always enjoyed doing is to ‘exploring a subject.’

Often, I see people walk up to a subject, take a couple of photos and then walk off. Yes, take the overall subject, but move closer and explore the detail and I believe often, you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find. You will also come away with a picture-story which will help you convey much more meaning than with a couple of images.

One such example of this was when I was on Norfolk Island last year. Cascade Pier (pictured below) is the Island’s second or alternate pier. Used by fishing boats, and also schoolchildren to jump off of, after school, it is also used as an alternate pier if the main pier, at Kingston cannot be used for some reason.

It’s a great subject, and it’s even more impressive in regards to the detail when you move in closer. This pier could (as does) tell so many stories, from the rusted steel, the smell of the salty air. I found it such an inspiring place to be, photograph, write and sketch.

So, the next time you see an interesting subject, delve a bit deeper as you never know what interesting subjects you may find.

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

28 February 2023

Holiday Inspiration!

27/03/2022 by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

One of the many benefits of our recent trip away to Norfolk Island was the ‘change of scenery’ in regards to the type of subject matter I had been sketching/painting since I started this journey.

I had been doing a lot of sheds, houses, the odd seascape/landscape, farms and trees. Many were inspired by tutorials, (my own) reference photos, free images of my imagination. There were not a lot from ‘plein air’ sketching.

Whilst I was away, I did some rough pencil sketches in an A5 Moleskine sketchbook, took some reference photos and also kept up my Watercolour Sketch a Day practice however, I chose to use a different paint brand/quality. I took away a Sennelier Student half-pan set. It was a bit of a challenge as I limited myself to only 12 colours and they had some different shades to what I was/am using with the Winsor and Newton Artist quality half-pans.

It forced me to think differently in terms of mixing eg for shadows. Normally, I would use Ultramarine Blue and Sepia however, I did not have these colours available so I had to work to explore a different option.

Below, I’ve included the Watercolour Sketch a Day’s I did on the trip.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

27 March 2022