Winter Sun
Tag: expression
Connection Established
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 33
Today was one of those gorgeous Winter days here in Sydney’s south-west. We are approx. 60 kilometres (37 miles) SE of Sydney.
All the images were taken on a 3.8km (2.3 mile) walk just near where we live.
Beauty is indeed all around us!
Till next time!
Written & Photographed by David Johnson
21 June 2026
Watercolour Sketch a Day! – Recent Sketches
My Watercolour Sketch a Day project has now entered its 8th year. When I complete today’s sketch, I will have been doing a watercolour sketch a day for 7 years 135 days straight.
Here are a few recent sketches…
Materials used:
Sketchbook: Pleinly 300GSM 100% Cotton Cold Press paper (a real delight to use)!
Paints: Kuretake Gansai Tambi; Sumikondo; Daniel Smith, & Winsor & Newton
Brushes: Aquawash & Neef
Other: Uniball White Gel Pen; Uni-Pin Fineliner
Still thoroughly enjoying the journey. I am going to start to attempt to expand the subject matter in these daily sketches. In the past, I haven’t done many sketches with things like reflections, people especially. I would also love to ‘loosen up’ more, as I feel my lines are still too straight. I’ll keep working on that!
I always find it interesting when some people I know, and some I don’t know, say, ‘I don’t have time to sketch or paint.’
Obviously, I don’t know what their lives are like fully, so it’s hard to say to people, ‘if you really want to do something, you need to prioritise it.’
I approach it this way. We are often waiting for things, e.g., in Waiting Rooms, in queues, and what do people use to fill that time in the modern world…the Smartphone. How about purchasing an A6 sketchbook and carrying any sort of pen or pencil with you? In those Waiting rooms, you could be doodling, sketching. Just a bit of fun. 🙂
What are the positives of this new habit?
- You get to have some fun!
- It gets you away from your screen
- It may develop into a hobby/interest
- It is relaxing as it diverts your mind from the problems/challenges of the day
Your new activity is something personal to you, i.e., you don’t have to show anyone your creations, or you can. Its totally up to you. 🙂
Happy Sketching! 🙂
Till next time!
Written, sketched and painted by David Johnson
13 June 2026
Finding Your Space
Serenade of Hues
Atmospheric Expression
New Sketchbook Adventures!
Last weekend, I ordered a Pleinly 8″ x 12″ sketchbook via Amazon. I’ve been researching their Watercolour Easel package and am about to buy it. When you buy the Easel package you get the sketchbook below with it.
I have used it on my last three Watercolour Sketch a Day’s (below) and have to say that I am impressed with what I’ve seen so far. Every type of Watercolour paper handles differently and although I am still getting used it, I’m having a lot of fun. 🙂
A few things I’ve noticed are that it can take a lot of water, it feels different to touch and paint on than other cold press 300gsm 100% cotton papers/sketchbooks I’ve tried. Considering it has 52 pages and it is 300gsm, the sketchbook is quite light. I haven’t painted on the back of the page yet, but I am confident the paper will take it.
Later on, I will do another post and make some further comments. Can’t wait to do today’s sketch! 🙂
Till next time!
Written and sketched/painted by David Johnson
25 April 2026
Self-Renewal
Wonderful To Be Back At Red Point!
This month has been a very busy month for a number of reasons, so it was a real pleasure to get back down to Red Point Artists Maker’s Market at Port Kembla last Saturday.
Due to ‘Life’ getting in the way late last year, this was the first time I had been able to get there since June last year, so it was great to back.
They always have some form of music down there. Music certainly adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the day.
When I go down to Red Point Artists, my expectation is that I will have a relaxing time, sketching, painting and catching up with other artists. If I sell a painting, I consider that a bonus. A bonus happened on Saturday.
All in all, another wonderful, relaxing day! We are looking forward to attending again next month. 🙂
Till next time!
Written & Painted by David Johnson
20 March 2026
Communicating Creatively 