The Poet’s Pen
Tag: ink
Silent Talk
Urban Sketchers Wollongong Field Trip – Innovation Campus, Wollongong
Earlier today, I attended my first Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet this year. I don’t actually live the Wollongong (Illawarra Region) in NSW however, we quite often visit the region as I am also a member of Red Point Artists, which is located on the coast to the South. The beaches of Wollongong are the closest beaches to where we live, some 66 kilometres away (41 miles). For us, that is a short drive.
Today’s outing was only 51km (32 miles) away and it was held at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.
Only 7 Sketchers turned up today (it was very hot), and we met at the Campus Cafe, called ‘Piccolo Me’ cafe. We had a half-hour chat then ventured out to select our subject.
I found the unusually-designed building below…
After deciding to do this one, I have to decide how much of it to do. For some reason, I seem to gravitate towards subjects with lots of lines. Knowing I only had a relatively short time-frame, I decided not to do the whole scene.
I found doing this sketch quite challenging and would do it differently next time I think. I haven’t done a lot of en Plein air as yet. I really do enjoy it though.
After the sketching, we all had lunch and had a ‘throw-down.’ This is where all the sketches are put on the ground (this time it was a table) so that everyone can see what has been sketched and we can see all the different styles. Unfortunately, this time, I don’t have a photo of all the different sketches.
I really enjoyed the company and the ‘Arty’ conversation once again.
Looking forward to next month’s Sketch-meet!
If you are interested in finding out more about the Urban Sketchers, I shall put a link below. There are Urban Sketch Groups all over the world.
Till next time – Happy Sketching!”’
Written by David Johnson
4 February 2024
Feather Fountain Pen Set
One of the presents that I was very grateful to receive was a Feather Fountain Pen set. I had looked at these before and thought I might like one but wasn’t sure. They look unique though you cannot really try them in the shop so it seemed a bit of a gamble to buy one. I have two Fountain pens already, and not being a collector, I am very happy with the two pens, a Lamy Safari and a Waterman Hemisphere.
I used it for the first time last night and was very happy with how if felt in my hand, writing, in fact, I wrote a poem with last night. I also like the nib that was fitted to the pen, a Finer point. I love writing with Fine or Extra Fine nibs. As you can see, it comes with a selection of nibs and I am looking forward to trying them out.
There are more expensive Feather Fountain Pen sets available, however, I feel that this will be a great introduction to these type of writing tools. Looking forward to using it again.
Happy Writing All!
Written by David Johnson
26 December 2022
Written On A Whim
Expression
My Creative Journey In Visual Art
My creative journey Began with a camera This went on for many years I was an enthusiastic amateur Joining and starting camera clubs Was so much fun I made many friends My creative life had begun I entered competitions and exhibitions Sometimes I won All in all It was just good fun Along the way I became a Photographic Judge Which gave me a different perspective It gave my photography a nudge Briefly, in the Nineties I started to sketch Though photography remained King I felt the itch I took a basic drawing course In two thousand and ten Three years later My photography business opened The business ran For a couple of years Then I decided To do something else In the meantime my love For sketching and painting had grown It was battling photography For the Title and Crown Oil painting at that time Was my preferred expression It became my ‘go to’ My new expression Joining Art groups Has helped me to foster My desire to create Art They helped my creativity to prosper Then I returned To the first painting medium I tried The one that had captured me That reminded me of Slides Line and Wash Then caught my attention It became part of me A lifelike extension A Watercolour sketch-a-day Would give me loads of practice It continues to this day Feeding my Inner Sanctum Oils too Remain a passion For me, I think They’ll always be in fashion Photography still Has a special place in my Heart It started my creative journey Of me, it will always be a part Though at this time Sketching and Painting are my direction They will for a long time Have my attention
Written by David Johnson
22 September 2022
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2022
Reveal
Indelible Mark
Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink – Domestika
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
Communicating Creatively 