
Tag: environment
Burning Up The Sky
Contre Jour – Leaves
We are very fortunate that we live close to a really relaxing place to walk. Fortunately, we are higher up away from a river that has been known to flood over the years, and in particular, the last 2-3 years.
Normally, it is a wondrous place to walk…so relaxing and because light is what it is, you get to see different subjects lit differently even if you walk at the same time each day.
One of the things I really like to watch out for is ‘Contre jour’ or ‘against the light.’ In particular, trees, shrubs and of of course leaves really come to life with this type of lighting. Here are a few recent images I took. Hope you enjoy them.
Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
2 October 2023








Finding Our way
A Mental Oasis
At Last!!!
Last Sunday, I completed my first A4 Watercolour painting for what seems like an eternity.
My Watercolour Sketch a Day continues to roll on…as of today it is 4 years and 216 days however, getting to do an A4 Watercolour has been a challenge over the last 13 months. With moving house, growing the business, family and personal health challenges and other projects it felt for a while there that it was almost impossible to do one.
I’m happy to say that ‘I have broken through that barrier.’
The first A4 painting I was doing on Sunday was going well…until it wasn’t. It was of receding mountain ranges and, after laying the relevant washes, I wrecked the mountains endeavouring to add detail.
The previous night I didn’t get a good night’s sleep and I was about to just walk away from my Art Room, when I thought, ‘maybe I could something simpler’, and at least I could come away with something. The image below is what I painted.

A much simpler scene to paint and I am pleased with the result given how tired I was. I do think in hindsight that the rocks are not punchy enough so I will work on that next time.
Still, as stated previously, I am pleased with the result and I had fun which is the main thing.
Till next time…happy painting!
Written by David Johnson
30 August 2023
For What Is Life
Enlightened Moment
Rock Study – 1st Attempt
For my Watercolour Sketch a Day tonight (today is 4 years, 211 days straight), after watching a tutorial on YouTube, ‘Painting Rocks’ by Ken Hobson, I decided to do exactly that.
I’m happy with resulting first attempt. I did attempt the water splatter on the rocks however, I think I overdid it and had to perform ‘a rescue’ of the image.
On the weekend, I think I will attempt an A4 of the same subject. I sure had a lot of fun doing tonight’s one!

Till next time!
Written by David Johnson
25 August 2023
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 6
Welcome to the 6th post of ‘Things That Attract My Eye.
Half of the images were taken near or not far from home and the others on short drives. Once again, they all taken on a phone camera and at all different times of the day. It pays to look up, to down and most importantly you need to be ‘present’…to take in the beauty (either man-made or natural) that is all around us.






Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
23 August 2023




