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…

“Solitude” 7 years 100 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Bombo Quarry” 7 years 107 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Sea Barrier” 7 years 115 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Snow Laden” 7 years 125 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Mountain Art” 7 years 133 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day

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

Going Outside One’s Comfort Zone! – Attempting Different Subjects

I’ve been wanting to explore this subject for some time. I’ve just recently joined the ‘Seascape Art’ group on Facebook and have been marvelling at the creations of artists much more experienced than I. The paintings on there are quite inspiring!

Materials used above are:

  • A5 Aquarelle 100% Cotton Cold Press sketchbook purchased from Amazon
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
  • Aquawash Brushes
  • White Gel pen
  • Colours used: Turquoise Green Deep; Indigo and White

Have to say that I am happy with my first attempt. Looking forward to doing this subject on higher quality paper.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

9 June 2025

Story To Be Written

Fun With Kuretake Gansi Tambi Japanese Watercolours!

I must say that I am really enjoying using these Watercolours. Brilliant colours and a lovely texture are two of the positives so far. Using 300gsm 100% Cotton paper, either Cold Press or Rough texture.

Here are some examples from my Watercolour Sketch a Day practice.

“Coastal Delight” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 14 days.
“Sheer Cliffs” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 24 days.
“Sunrise” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 44 days.
“Earth” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 52 days.
“Light” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 63 days.
“Dawn” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 67 days.
“Into The Chips” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 69 days.
“Geologically Rich” – Watercolour Sketch a Day 6 years 70 days (today’s).

If you are wondering whether this brand of Watercolours a go, I would say ‘dive in and have some fun!’ 🙂

Till next time!

Written & Sketched/Painted by David Johnson

6 April 2025

A Delightful Christmas Present!

As always, I am very grateful to receive gifts at any time, including Christmas, as we all should be.

This Christmas, I received a 36-set of Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours. I saw a fellow Macarthur Art Group member with these some months ago. Then, I did a bit of research on them.

I was asked a month before Christmas for some Christmas present hints. This set was one of four suggestions I gave out so the element of surprise was still there.

Here is my first attempt using them.

I love the colours’ richness. The paint’s texture is also impressive. According to the instructions, it can be used as a Gouache or as Watercolour.

I am looking forward to experimenting with these paints and getting to know them. Lots of fun on the horizon to be sure.

Till next time!

Written & sketched/painted by David Johnson

29 December 2024