Things That Attract My Eye – Part 33

Today was one of those gorgeous Winter days here in Sydney’s south-west. We are approx. 60 kilometres (37 miles) SE of Sydney.

All the images were taken on a 3.8km (2.3 mile) walk just near where we live.

Beauty is indeed all around us!

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

21 June 2026

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…

“Solitude” 7 years 100 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Bombo Quarry” 7 years 107 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Sea Barrier” 7 years 115 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Snow Laden” 7 years 125 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
“Mountain Art” 7 years 133 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day

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

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 32!

Five of the following images were taken at the Nepean River near where I live. The 4th image down was taken at a local cafe/restaurant/bar also near where I live. It is an indoor plant. Contre jour (against the light), a favourite of mine.

Till next time!

Written & photographed by

David Johnson

5 June 2026

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 24

About a two-minute walk from where I go to the gym, there is a pathway that runs alongside Stonequarry Creek through Picton. The path eventually takes you in Picton Botannical Gardens.

After last Sunday’s early morning gym session, I did a small walk of about 2.5km (1.5 miles). It was a choice between that and a treadmill. It was a gorgeous late Winter morning, the Sun was shining, and it was a pleasant temperature outside, so it was an easy choice.

Here are a few images from the walk.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by

David Johnson

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 18

It has been a hectic period recently. This is true both on a business and personal level as we head towards Christmas.

It has been nearly two months since I posted in the Photography section. Here are a selection of subjects. Some are taken on local walks. Others were taken on a recent trip to the City (Sydney).

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson.

15 December 2024

Car Wash Photography

If you have never taken any images from inside your car when your car is going through a n automated car wash, then I highly recommend it when you next take your car for a wash.

Below are are series of images I have taken in car washes over time. I find it fascinating and enjoy seeing what kinds of images I can come out with each time.

So, next time you take your car for a wash, remember to take your camera out!

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

28 April 2024

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 14

It has been a very hectic time over the past week. It is a long time since my first post of the month hasn’t been posted before the 6th day of the month.

Today, I have a few more images from our rec ent time away to Greenwell Point on N.S.W. coast, near Nowra.

I am an early riser anyway and the location we were staying at was so close to the water. The three photos here were within easy walking distance of our cabin. On each morning we were away, regardless of the weather, I was up to catch the morning light then sketch for an hour or more.

I think Sunrise is my favourite part of the day. Beautiful light, the peace and serenity of the moment, and the start of a brand new day!

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 13

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

Glistening Water

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 12

At the end of February/early March, my Wife, Susan and I escaped for 5 nights/6 days down to Greenwell Point which is roughly 2 hours drive away from where live. It is located just past Nowra which approximately, 176 kilometres or 109 miles from Sydney.

It is a beautiful, quiet spot and was even quieter as it wasn’t school holidays.

I’ll be posting more images from our short trip over time however, here is a small selection of abstract images of subjects that ‘attracted my eye’ on this trip.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

9 March 2024