What Treasure Lies…
Tag: learning
I’m Not Trying To Be Perfect, I Just Want To Be Me…
Last month, I purchased the book, ‘Watercolor 365 Daily Tips, Tricks & Techniques’ by Leslie Redhead. Already, I have seen the benefits of having this book to refer to.
One of the tips within the book is to, ‘stop using a pencil and eraser to draw with and instead use a marker instead.’
I wouldn’t call myself ‘naturally talented’ in drawing or sketching. It is a skill I am endeavouring to get better at and so, I have been practicing with ‘a pencil accompanied by a trusty eraser,’ though probably not as often as ought to have been. The thought of drawing/sketching with a non-erasable marker was quite daunting.
Apparently, using a marker instead of the pencil/eraser combination will result in gaining skills in drawing/sketching quicker and these are skills I can build my paintings on.
I took up this challenge this week, grabbing an A5 110gsm sketchbook and started sketching away. It is quite a refreshing experience, I must say. If I put a mark/line in the wrong place, I have to be creative and work out ‘how to save’ the sketch.
When I did a basic drawing course 11 years ago, the instructor looked at my drawings and said that, ‘I was a line drawer, not a tonal drawer and that my lines were so straight they looked like an architectural drawing.’
This is not necessarily bad, though. I guess its a style. One of my goals has been to try to ‘loosen up’ and not draw so many straight lines. I quite enjoy looking at the style of many Artists and hobbyists who draw/sketch/paint in a relaxed style.
We’ve all probably heard the line, ‘practice makes perfect.’ I’m not trying to be perfect I just want to be me’…and I am having fun exploring exactly what that means in terms of drawing, sketching and painting.
I’m practicing my sketching/drawing now more than ever and I am endeavouring to let go of the thought that the lines need to perfect.
It will take time and patience, but I’ll get there.
Written by David Johnson
February 2021
The Steps You Take
Staring Into The Flames
What Is A Poem?
Rediscovered Gems
We all like to be organised to some degree, I believe.
Sometime ago, I re-organised one of my bookcases. This particular one is in what I like to call my ‘Escape Room.’ It is where I do my Watercolour Sketches; Oil paintings; read, write my speeches do my photographic editing and meditate, hence the word ‘escape…’
The bookcase is 1.83 metres (6 feet) high and contains Art magazines, books on theoretical Art; Photography; Public Speaking; Art ‘How To’; Religion; Leadership; Communication; Writing; Thinking and a smattering of other subjects.
Over time and especially last year when I had 4 committee/leadership positions across two organisations as well as everything else I was involved in, the bookcase became rather disorganised through tiredness which led to a lack of discipline on my part i.e. not returning the books to the appropriate sections. Am hoping that I am not the only one that this happens to…
Recently, I decided it was ’time to re-organise again’ and given that I have divested myself of all those roles I am now reading more again and am enjoying increased time on other enjoyable things like Sketching, Painting and Poetry.
Whilst re-organising the shelves I was able to re-acquaint myself with books that either I had:
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not looked at in a long time
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or forgotten about
It is indeed amazing what we have on our bookshelves. Rediscovered gems.
As I look across there now I see titles that I cannot wait to get my hands on again. So much to read, so much to inspire.
I can ‘hear them calling me now…’
Written by David Johnson
July 2020
100 Great Wonders Poetry Challenge!
Yesterday, whilst visiting Mum for lunch, I came across a book I didn’t remember seeing there before called ‘100 Great Wonders Of The World’ – A collection of the World’s awe-inspiring places, buildings and landscapes.
As long as I can remember, these sorts of subjects have fascinated me. I love reading and researching them. We have not, at this stage done a huge amount of travelling so until we do get to some more, this has to suffice.
Upon borrowing the book and returning home, an idea came to mind to use the images as reference photos for my Watercolour Sketching practice. I realise I can Google these places anytime and references photos on the Internet are seemingly endless, however, having them all in one book is quite attractive. I still find that, ‘curling up with a real book’ is still far more attractive the scrolling online.
This morning, whilst flipping through the book, another idea came to mind… I have set myself a challenge and that is to write one Poem about each of these ‘Great Wonders of the World.’
I will read about each one, survey the images, go away and think on it and then write a Poem.
The first ‘Wonder’ is ’The Great Fjords of Norway.’ Here is the Poem I wrote:
The Great Fjords of Norway
Where Vikings reigned supreme
Long, narrow gorges
Flooded by the sea
Magnificent waterfalls cascade
Against a backdrop of Green
Majestic mountains rise
Snow-laden figurines
Tiny villages are scattered
Indeed they are so remote
Boats are the optimum way
To keep communication afloat
The Great Fjords of Norway
Where beauty reigns supreme
Long, narrow gorges
Flooded by the sea
I think this will be a very interesting challenge as it will help ’stretch my mind’ Poetry-wise and also further inspire us to do more travel when able.
Only 99 Poems to go!
Written by David Johnson
26 July 2020
Each Book A Symbol
Decision
Into Yourself, You’ve Poured
Communicating Creatively 