Serenade of Hues
Tag: expression
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
7 Years – Watercolour Sketch A Day!
7 years, 2 days ago, I began my Watercolour Sketch a Day, Daily Art practice.
I began doing this daily art practice for a number of reasons:
- I wanted to improve my skills.
- Previously, I was only getting to sketch/paint what seemed like only once every couple of weeks. I thought I didn’t have time.
- It’s fun!
- Creativity assists my mental health.
- It’s my ‘escape’ as I co-run a business and have a full life!
The Watercolour Sketch-a-day that I did for the 7-year mark is below.
I think it’s always good to look back and see where you came from/where you started your journey. I’m more than happy with my progress, though I still have a lot to learn. I’m certainly looking forward to doing my Watercolour Sketch a Day, each day forward. That is my number goal…a Watercolour Sketch a Day.
My very first Watercolour Sketch a Day is below. I started off using cheap Watercolour paper and below student-grade paints.
Thankfully, over time, I have tried several different papers, sketchbooks, pigment liners, brushes and paint, stepping up the quality of the tools I use and have been having a lot of fun along the way.
Looking forward to more fun, and of course, learning more and more!
Till next time!
Written & Sketched/Painted by David Johnson
31 January 2026
Feeling
Natural History Illustration Workshop
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the above workshop. It was held at the Alan Baker Gallery in Camden, NSW, which is about a 20-minute drive East of where we live.
The workshop was facilitated by talented local Natural History Illustrator Esther Bolz. It focused on capturing the flora and fauna of the Nepean River, celebrating World Rivers Day.
We were asked to choose from a selection of flora or pick out an animal from an image, and draw from that. I chose flora, namely, “Australian Indigo”, as seen below.
Chose to paint it in Watercolour. Quite happy with it.
Till next time!
Written & painted by David Johnson
6 October 2025
Things That Attract My Eye – Part 23
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
Clouds Are Thoughts
Communicating Creatively 