Last weekend, my Wife and I ventured up to an oft visited place, Millthorpe (near Bathurst/Orange) in Central West New South Wales.
We went up to visit our very friends, Diane & David, plus attend the Millthorpe Garden Ramble. Different gardens are on display in different years.
This selection of photos were taken last weekend.
Till next time!
Written & photographed by David Johnson
9 November 2025
The following images were taken in May this year. We had a trip up to Millthorpe (near Bathurst/Orange/Blayney), NSW, in May for a good friend’s 60th Birthday party. Some of the images are from there, and others are around and about.
If you ever get a chance to visit the towns/cities mentioned above, please do so. Lots to see! Abercrombie House, just outside Bathurst is definitely a must. A three-storey mansion, built in 1870, where you can have lunch and do a self-guided mansion tour. I highly recommend it.
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
30 July 2025
This article’s images come from a number of different outings:
Hope you enjoy them. Some are natural, a few are man-made. Beauty is all around us. If only we would take some time to practice awareness. This exercise can bring a bit of peace to your day. 🙂
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by
David Johnson
28 January 2025
It has been a hectic period recently. This is true both on a business and personal level as we head towards Christmas.
It has been nearly two months since I posted in the Photography section. Here are a selection of subjects. Some are taken on local walks. Others were taken on a recent trip to the City (Sydney).
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson.
15 December 2024
The images below were taken last week when my Wife, Susan & went into the City (Sydney) for lunch to celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary.
After a long lunch, we took a casual stroll around Circular Quay just relaxing and enjoying the views.
Beauty is all around us. We just need to be ‘aware.’
Till next time!
Written & Photograpghed by David Johnson
29 February 2024
There is a lot to look at in this world of ours.
Way back in 1982, when I first started getting serious about photography, I noticed how I instantly developed a greater curiosity about our world. I started to explore detail in subjects that I had not even noticed prior to becoming interested in communicating via this medium.
Detail is one thing however, we also need to look up (I would say more than) occasionally as how much do we miss in our daily travels as we get busy with life? This brings me to the subject of this short article.
I love shooting up!
The next time you are out and about, take a minute away from your busy schedule and look up. There is a whole new world just waiting for you feast your eyes upon it.
Happy travels!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
4 March 2023
Last week as I was scrolling through my Facebook Newsfeed I happened upon a course through Domestika. I had registered an account with them some time ago but never actually purchased a course.
This particular day a course came up called, ‘Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink’. This of course, ‘was music to my ears!’ Amongst other subjects to sketch and paint, architecture is right up there so my interest was piqued almost instantly. Even better, it came up as a ‘Weekend Special’ and was reduced from AUD$79.00 to $12.90 so it was too good not to take advantage of.
The course is being delivered by Alex Hillkurtz, a Storyboard Artist in France who has worked on over 20 Feature films.
At date, the course has been completed by over 114,481 students and has a 99% rating.
Thus far I’m on Unit 2, Preparation and am looking forward to doing more of the course on the weekend. When I finish the course I will post the end project here.
In the meantime, here is the link if you would like to check out the course for yourself.
https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/1092-architectural-sketching-with-watercolor-and-ink/course
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
30 June 2022
Last weekend, my Wife and I stayed with our friends at Millthorpe, NSW, Australia as my Wife had been invited to a Baby Shower in Bathurst, about 20 minutes drive away.
Whilst my Wife was at the party, I ventured into the CBD and started to look for a suitable subject to sketch and paint.
I came across a lovely-looking building with a dome which turned out the be the Courthouse however, I chose to sit in the park and view it from behind. I quite liked the busyness of the structures in front of it that were set against the backdrop of the dome.
For me, it was rather a challenging subject as I am still endeavouring to learn ‘how much I want to leave in or leave out?’ One of the other challenges I had on the day was it was quite chilly with a wind blowing. The light was just beautiful though, so I sat there and attempted to sketch and paint it, well my interpretation anyway…
I will definitely have another go at this subject at some point. It was the first time out using my new Winsor and Newton Field Kit which has a mix of Winsor and Newton, and Daniel Smith paints.
After I finished the sketch, I set off with my DSLR camera and (of course) my Phone camera to see what I could capture in the beautiful late afternoon light. Below is one example from the iPhone camera.
All in all, I had a very enjoyable couple of hours in the late afternoon light.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
3 May 2022
A couple of posts ago, I highlighted the sketches that I did each on Norfolk Island using the Sennelier Student Watercolour paints.
Upon arriving home (to presently), all my ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’ efforts have been from reference photos that I took whilst away on holiday (25th Wedding Anniversary). As you can see, I’m very much in love with Norfolk Island and have been ever since our first visit in 1997 (Honeymoon). This was further strengthened by celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary there in 2007.
At home (currently) I am using Winsor and Newton Artist quality paints and so I thought I would post a few of my Watercolour sketches that I have completed since my return.
It really is a fascinating place, and one I’ll be continuing to use for inspiration for many years to come. We are looking forward to going to other places for sure, like Hawaii and New Zealand, but a 4th trip to Norfolk Island is certainly ‘a given.’
Written and Sketched by David Johnson
2 April 2022
This morning, for Day 1,058 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day I decided that I wanted to sketch something Christmas-related and, as I haven’t done a tutorial for a while, I searched on YouTube for just that.
I came across Lois Davidson’s channel and found ‘How To Paint A Beautiful Ink & Watercolour Snow Landscape, loose Watercolor Christmas Card Tutorial’.
Where I live, 60km South West of Sydney, Australia does not see snow at Christmas, in fact temperatures are often in the high 30’s (Celsius)+/ 90’s (Fahrenheit)+ on Christmas Day so the attraction to sketch and paint a subject at the opposite end of the spectrum was quite attractive.
The YouTube tutorials I have done in the past (and enjoyed) have been Peter Sheeler and Nil Rocha Art, though there is no verbal instruction just the occasional writing on the screen i.e. a few tips and colour tips.
It was a pleasant change to hear some instruction and tips in Lois’ tutorial. I believe I will be doing more of Lois’ tutorials and have subscribed to the channel.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Blog followers and visitors a very Merry, Happy and Safe Christmas!
Written by David Johnson
24 December 2021
https://www.youtube.com/c/LoisDavidsonArt/videos
A few opinions, a little research, and maybe some general chatter!
Sharing is Learning
A blog made up of books, movies, shows, photography, and art.
Urban sketches, etchings, watercolours, pen and ink.
A Daily Visual Journal
Practical advice for a happier, fuller, and more meaningful life
Furnicraft, woodwork, and art
INSPIRATIONAL KWOTES, STORIES, and IMAGES
Malaysian author and storyteller
Welcome to my mind. Watch the first step, it's a doozy.
A look at life, achieving good physical and mental health and happiness
embrace the magic
Just another WordPress.com site
A place where words come alive
Learn more about an independent artist who creates a unique style of music all his own.
Discovering the joy of art
Writing, Poetry, book reviews, interviews, music reviews, contests, art
Mostly photographs with some words by this arty scientist...
Artist by choice, photographer by default, poet by accident.
"Rêve onirique & Bulle d'évasion"
Aquarelle und Zeichnungen von Carsten Wieland
Life is all about being curious, asking questions, and discovering your passion. And it can be fun!
Sharing self help tips/advice/blogs on how to make your life beautifully positive!
By JMACTHEDREAM
Adevărata graniţă a libertăţii este gândirea. - Juliana Mallart
Read on, it's good for the brain.
Listen to your inner self..it has all the answers..
cherishing the moments and exploring my passion for creativity... through art, photography, food, and writing
For the love of pens, paper, office supplies and a beautiful place to work
Pens, inks, notebooks and other accessories
Adventures in Watercolor Painting and Sketching, Watercolour Magazine, with Charlie O'Shields
Poetry From the Heart!
The latest news on WordPress.com and the WordPress community.
Becoming the oil and wine in today's society
I want to be rich. Rich in love, rich in health, rich in laughter, rich in adventure and rich in knowledge. You?
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
I dream so I write ..
Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.
Jane Lurie Photography
An Independent Nondiscriminatory Platform With No Religious, Political, Financial, or Social Affiliations - FOUNDED 2014
Random Ravings from an Old Bloke Down Under
Communicating Creatively 