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.

“Headland” 7 years, 83 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Light Interceding” 7 years 84 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Alpine Design” 7 years 85 days of a watercolour Sketch a day (Yesterday)

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

Watercolour Sketch a Day – 6 Years Straight!

Yesterday, I achieved another milestone with my daily art practice a, ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day.

As of yesterday, I have completed a Watercolour sketch daily for the past 6 years.

“Direction” – 6 Years of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

It’s a journey I started to:

  • Obtain consistent practice
  • Learn new skills – sketching, drawing, painting
  • Create an escape of sorts from the day

I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey and have already completed the ‘6 years Day 1 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day’, today, so the journey will continue.

“Iceberg” – 6 Years, 1 Day of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

This ‘year’ I intend to attempt some different subjects over time and aim to include people in some of the images.

I am looking forward to where this journey takes me next!

Written, Sketched and Painted by

David Johnson

27 January 2025

“Serpent By The Sea”

Below is my latest effort using the Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours that I was blessed to receive at Christmas. I am really enjoying using them.

For this painting though, I have also used Sumikondo Japanese Watercolours, and Daniel Smith paints. The latter on a minor scale.

Other materials used were:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice 300gsm 100% Cotton Rough texture Block paper.
  • Neef brushes
  • Aquawash brushes
“Serpent By The Sea”

The ‘Serpent’ was painted with the Sumikondo watercolours. The sand, ocean, and most of the island in the distance were painted with the Gansai Tambi watercolours. Daniel Smith paints were used a little for shadows, mainly under the rock.

The idea for the painting came from one of my Watercolour Sketch a Day sketches. This week’s painting was quite a different image in terms of colour and texture than the sketch I did below. Different paint and paper were used for this one.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

3 January 2025