Tag: Painting

Natural History Illustration Workshop

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the above workshop. It was held at the Alan Baker Gallery in Camden, NSW, which is about a 20-minute drive East of where we live.

The workshop was facilitated by talented local Natural History Illustrator Esther Bolz. It focused on capturing the flora and fauna of the Nepean River, celebrating World Rivers Day.

We were asked to choose from a selection of flora or pick out an animal from an image, and draw from that. I chose flora, namely, “Australian Indigo”, as seen below.

Chose to paint it in Watercolour. Quite happy with it.

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

6 October 2025

A Journey Uncharted

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

An Emotional Connection – My 7th Watercolour Painting Sold!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, my Wife Susan and I attended Red Point Artists Makers Market (formerly known as Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass), at the Red Point precinct in Port Kembla, (south of Wollongong) on the New South Wales coast.

It was a little bit different yesterday though as we formed part of the Annual Port Kembla Festival which included street stalls and live music up and down Wentworth Street, the main street in Port Kembla.

One of the highlights of the day was that I sold my 7th Watercolour painting, “Distant Mountains”, which appears below.

Materials:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour paper, rough, 300gsm 18cm x 26cm.
  • Sumikondo Japonesque Watercolours
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
  • Aquawash brushes

The lady who purchased it said it reminded her of where she grew up. Interestingly, the image/composition came from my imagination.

We never will truly know who will be interested in our creations. Just keep painting, sketching, and be confident enough to display your Art. Someone, somewhere may just have an emotional connection to your Art.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

13 April 2025

Fun With Kuretake Gansi Tambi Japanese Watercolours!

Featured 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

“Serpent By The Sea”

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

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

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

I Love This Watercolour Paper!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Recently, I purchased some Baohong The Master’s Choice, Artist Quality Watercolour paper and I must say it continues to impress me. It is 300gsm, 100% Cotton, Rough Block paper.

“Retired Lighters” – Norfolk Island

I love the texture and how well it takes water and paint. The Lighters above are what Norfolk Island used to use to put cargo on from visiting ships. There are a few dotted around Kingston, Norfolk Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

28 April 2024

Artists In Action

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of being part of ‘Artists In Action’ again.

My first appearance at this event, last year was so enjoyable I thought I would do it again this year.

Some 30 or so local Artist’s, some professional, some semi-professional, and some enthusiasts, all combined to showcase their art and craft at the Camden Civic Centre in Camden, some 60km (37m) south-west of Sydney, Australia.

It was such a fun event again. People of all ages came in to view our art and craft. There demonstrations and workshops, and people could enjoy having a go at creating art.

At my table, I had some my art on display and in between talking to people, I went about doing a couple of watercolour sketches, including my, ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’ that has been going for over 5 years now.

As I did last year, I encouraged people who

  • ‘had always wanted to try sketching and/or painting’ but hadn’t,
  • ‘those that had been doing it but had stopped’, or
  • those who think that they don’t have time’ to go ahead and try it/take it up again, as it offers:
    • some great mental health benefits
    • it’s fun and relaxing

All-in-all a fun day! Looking forward to next year’s event.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

31 March 2024

Loving This Watercolour Paper!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

It’s always fun to trying new things.

In this particular case, I’ve been trying out a type of watercolour paper that I haven’t used before. It’s ‘The Masters’s Choice – Artist Watercolour Paper’ made by Baohong. It has a rough texture, and I’m using the block paper version – 300gsm, 15cm x 23cm. It’s also the first time I have used block paper.

I simply love this paper! I’m not an expert in papers and I’m still in the very early stages on this journey of Watercolour. I love the texture and the way it handles colour and water.

I’ve included a few samples below.

“Towards Lone Pine” – Norfolk Island
“Out To Sea”
“Country Cottages”
“Ready To Go” – Greenwell Point
“Crookhaven Heads”

The 15cm x 23cm size as it is quite convenient to carry in a small backpack, along with my Winsor and Newton Field Kit, Aquawash brushes and some paper towel. Pop in a couple of pencils, an eraser and a selection of pigment liners, and a white pen and ‘I’m ready to go!’

I sold the ‘Country Cottages’ painting earlier this month at Red Point Art & Craft on the Grass, Port Kembla, NSW, Australia.

I highly recommend giving this paper a go. Looking forward to using the cold press 300gsm as well. I just received some gift vouchers for my birthday earlier this week. 🙂

Till next time!

Written and painted by David Johnson

31 March 2024

A First For Me at Red Point Artists ‘Art & Craft on the Grass!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I’ve been a member of Red Point Artists for about 3 – 4 years however, it is only this year that I took a leap of faith and set up a table with my Watercolours at the monthly, ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ event.

The first time I did this was in February this year. Due to inclement weather, we set up inside in the main gallery.

The second time was yesterday. It was a beautiful, sunny day so we were all able to set up outside.

As with the first time, I was just happy do be there, displaying my Art and chatting to and encouraging people to be creative and/or rekindle a lost creative passion.

I also had a sign advertising my ‘Daily Art Practice’ aka my ‘Watercolour Sketch a Day’ which as of yesterday was 5 years, 43 days straight.

My thought was that ‘if I sold anything it would be a bonus.’ As the first hour was drawing to a close, that bonus arrived! I sold the following painting…

“Country Cottages”

This is the first painting I have sold at Red Point Artists, and the fourth sale overall.

I would like to thank Red Point Artists for the opportunity to have a table there, and for the inspiring Artists and Craft-makers that I am surrounded by. Looking forward to the second Saturday of April when we will do it all again.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

10 March 2024