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Tag: ocean
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…
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
The Watercolour Journey Continues…
Yesterday, it marked 7 years, 100 days since I started this wonderful journey.
Here is the image I sketched/painting yesterday, one from my imagination.
Materials:
- Pleinly 8×12 inch 300gsm 100% Cotton sketchbook
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
- Aquawash brushes
- Neef brush
- Uni Pin Pigment Liner 0.05mm
Till next time!
Written, sketched & painted by David Johnson.
10 May 2026
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
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
Riding The Wave
Valerie Taylor – An Adventurous Life!
This morning, I finished the book that is the title of this post. I had started the book earlier this year, but as sometimes happens, distractions and life in general get in the way and the book didn’t get picked up for some time.
Over the past two to three weeks, my Wife and I have had the displeasure of experiencing the RSV virus so we have had more time at home than is normal. Time spent convalescing also gives one time to think about life, but I’ll save that for another post.
Back to the book, which itself was a pleasant distraction at a time of illness.
I remember as a child/teenager growing up in the late 60’s and into the ’70’s hearing about some of the adventures of Ron & Valerie Taylor, so I uttered a keen ‘Yes’ when my Father-In-Law asked me if I would to read this book.
My interest in Ron & Valerie sprang from them being Underwater Photographers/Film-makers, in particular their filming of Sharks. They filmed the underwater scenes in Jaws, which was a favourite movie of mine back in the ’70’s.
The book is an inspirational read, and as it highlights on the back cover, Valerie had to overcome many obstactles, including health issues to lead ‘her adventurous life.’
I highly recommend this book!
Wriiten by David Johnson
6 July 2025
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
Gentle Waves
“Glacier” – 6 Years, 125 Days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!
It has been another very hectic month for many reasons. I am fortunate to have started this daily Art practice a few years ago. Without this practice I think I would have been using the old excuse, “that I didn’t have time” a lot!
Here is today’s sketch.
Materials:
- Aquarelle Watercolour sketchbook 300gsm Cold Press
- Sumikondo Japanese Watercolours (Blue-Black)
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours (Indigo)
- Aquawash & Neef brushes
I had a lot of fun doing this one!
Till next time!
Written & painted by David Johnson
31 May 2025
Communicating Creatively 