Tag: landscape

Devil’s Marbles

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Back in 1986, I went on a Con-Tiki tour of the Northern Territory in Australia. Whilst I have quite a few photos from that location (we stayed overnight there), and the trip itself, I have never got around to attempting a painting on any of the subjects I saw on that trip.

The Devil’s Marbles are a loose formation of mainly rounded boulders, plus some other shapes that are anywhere from 50cm (19.6 inches) to 6 metres (19.6 feet) in diameter.

The painting below has a mixture of them. I’m sure I’ll do more of the Devil’s Marbles, and other locations from that trip.

  • Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
  • Daniel Smith Watercolours
  • Aquawash brushes
  • Neef brushes
  • Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

8 February 2026

Here is a link to find out more information if you would like visit it.

https://northernterritory.com/tennant-creek-and-barkly-region/destinations/karlu-karlu–devils-marbles-conservation-reserve

Near & Far

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I seem to do a lot seascapes. I live about 45 minutes to an hour from the nearest beach so I don’t get a lot of time to spend near the water. The painting below is another one from the imagination.

Like a lot of people, I guess I find the ocean/waves relaxing, even if I cannot get there, I love to recreate the feeling/sight at home.

  • Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
  • Sumikondo Japanese Ink Pigments
  • Aquawash brushes
  • Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

8 February 2026

Towards Another Dimension

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Whilst I am enjoying painting standard subjects like seascapes, landscapes, building etc, I like to break out every now and then and do something ‘a little bit way out.’ I do love a good Sci-Fi or Fantasy book or film.

This is where I think the inspiration for, ‘Towards Another Dimension’ came.

  • Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
  • Sumikondo Japanese Ink Pigments
  • Masking Fluid pen
  • Aquawash brushes
  • Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

8 February 2026

Arrival

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry

Fun With Kuretake Gansi Tambi Japanese Watercolours!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

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

An Addition To My Art Library!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books

It certainly has been a busy last 6 months!

Last month for my Birthday, I received some gift vouchers and one of those has been spent on the book below, which I have had in my Wish List on Amazon for some time.

I haven’t had much time to look at it since it arrived earlier in the week so I am looking forward to finding some time this weekend. 🙂

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

4 April 2025

A Delightful Christmas Present!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

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

Seaview

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I paint a fair bit from imagination. I also use my own reference photos. Sometimes, I paint from photos I come across on the Internet (and give them credit, of course).

The painting below comes from my imagination, and I called it, “Seaview.’

Materials used:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Rough texture, Block Watercolour Paper
  • Daniel Smith, and Winsor & Newton Watercolour paint
  • Neef brushes
  • Size: 15 x 23cm (5.9 x 9 inches)

From the moment I starting using this paper, I loved it. I had never used rough textured paper or block paper before.

I purchased the smaller size just to try it out. Am looking to purchase a larger block. This paper is so much fun to use. 🙂

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

27 October 2024

They Say ‘That Once You Use It, You’ll Never Go Back!’ Arches Watercolour Paper

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, I just finished a watercolour painting on Arches Watercolour paper. For many years, I have heard just how great it is, and I have to say that I enjoyed using it immensely.

The main reason I hadn’t used it before is that it is one of the expensive Watercolour papers out there. At this point, the largest Watercolour paper I have used on a regular basis is A4.

I purchased a pack of A3, as the store had no packs of A4 left. It was 20% off and I cut each sheet in half as I go to use it.

The image below came from my imagination.

“Distant Delight”

Materials used:

  • Arches Watercolour Paper 300gsm 100% Cotton A4 Cold Pressed
  • Paints: Daniel Smith; Winsor & Newton: Schminke
  • Neef Watercolour brushes

I thoroughly enjoyed using this paper. As I get to use it more, I will highlight more about it. Looking forward to the next one!

Written by David Johnson

30 June 2024

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 13

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Our recent short trip down to Greenwell Point, near Nowra recently offered up a host of different photographic opportunities, as well as sketching and painting ones.

Here are a few more of the photographic ones that I found. 🙂

Greenwell Point – South of the Pier.
Crookhaven Heads – The ruined Lighthouse is up the slope to the left.
Greenwell Point – Pier
Point Perpendicular Lighthouse – Jervis Bay

I have more to post from trip. It is/was such a quiet, relaxing trip (we did it outside of school holidays). I would highly recommend it if your are looking (as we were) for a relaxing, short getaway.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson