Tag: rocks

“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

A Great Combination!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Recently, I posted a Watercolour I painted using Baohong – The Master’s Choice Rough, Block Watercolour Paper. This time however, I decided to paint with Daniel Smith and Sumikondo Japanese Watercolour paint.

The materials used are as follows:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Rough texture, Block Watercolour Paper
  • Daniel Smith, and Sumikondo Japanese Watercolour paint
  • Neef brushes
  • Size: 15 x 23cm (5.9 x 9 inches)
“Thinking Time”

In the above image, the colours used were:

  • Sky: Daniel Smith: Cerulean Blue
  • Ocean: Daniel Smith: Cerulean Blue, Burnt Sienna
  • Boulders/rocks: Sumikondo Blue-Black
  • Sand: Daniel Smith: Yellow Ochre, Titanium White
“Rocky Beach”

In the above image, the colours used were:

  • Sky: Daniel Smith: Cerulean Blue and Ultramarine Blue
  • Ocean: Daniel Smith: Cerulean Blue, Burnt Sienna
  • Boulders/rocks: Sumikondo Blue-Black, Purple-Black
  • Sand: Daniel Smith: Yellow Ochre, Titanium White

The paints are such a great combination. Using them on the Baohong – The Master’s Choice Rough Block Watercolour paper is a real treat!

Till next time!

Written and painted by David Johnson

10 November 2024

Seaview

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I paint a fair bit from imagination. I also use my own reference photos. Sometimes, I paint from photos I come across on the Internet (and give them credit, of course).

The painting below comes from my imagination, and I called it, “Seaview.’

Materials used:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Rough texture, Block Watercolour Paper
  • Daniel Smith, and Winsor & Newton Watercolour paint
  • Neef brushes
  • Size: 15 x 23cm (5.9 x 9 inches)

From the moment I starting using this paper, I loved it. I had never used rough textured paper or block paper before.

I purchased the smaller size just to try it out. Am looking to purchase a larger block. This paper is so much fun to use. 🙂

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

27 October 2024

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

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 13

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

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

At Last!!!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Sunday, I completed my first A4 Watercolour painting for what seems like an eternity.

My Watercolour Sketch a Day continues to roll on…as of today it is 4 years and 216 days however, getting to do an A4 Watercolour has been a challenge over the last 13 months. With moving house, growing the business, family and personal health challenges and other projects it felt for a while there that it was almost impossible to do one.

I’m happy to say that ‘I have broken through that barrier.’

The first A4 painting I was doing on Sunday was going well…until it wasn’t. It was of receding mountain ranges and, after laying the relevant washes, I wrecked the mountains endeavouring to add detail.

The previous night I didn’t get a good night’s sleep and I was about to just walk away from my Art Room, when I thought, ‘maybe I could something simpler’, and at least I could come away with something. The image below is what I painted.

A much simpler scene to paint and I am pleased with the result given how tired I was. I do think in hindsight that the rocks are not punchy enough so I will work on that next time.

Still, as stated previously, I am pleased with the result and I had fun which is the main thing.

Till next time…happy painting!

Written by David Johnson

30 August 2023

Rock Study – 1st Attempt

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

For my Watercolour Sketch a Day tonight (today is 4 years, 211 days straight), after watching a tutorial on YouTube, ‘Painting Rocks’ by Ken Hobson, I decided to do exactly that.

I’m happy with resulting first attempt. I did attempt the water splatter on the rocks however, I think I overdid it and had to perform ‘a rescue’ of the image.

On the weekend, I think I will attempt an A4 of the same subject. I sure had a lot of fun doing tonight’s one!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

25 August 2023

Winter Sun

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

Aquawash Rocks

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Today, we went out to Lake Burragong, which is approximately 1/2 a hour drive away from where we live. Lake Burragorang, when full (like it is now), holds 4 times the amount of water of Sydney Harbour. We have been there many times and it is a most beautiful and relaxing place.

I took my Winsor and Newton Field kit (which now has both Winsor and Newton, and Daniel Smith Watercolour paints in it) plus my Aquawash brushes and a small sketchbook.

I wasn’t all that excited about the sketch/painting I did first out there but it did give me an idea to painting a similar subject but in a different way, and more from my imagination.

Day 1,270 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day

I’ve had my Aquawash brushes for a few years now though I’ve only used them sporadically and I need to watch some videos on how to use them with greater effectiveness. I rather like how this sketch turned out, though and I will be using these type of brushes more in the future.

I’m due to go on my first field trip with the Sydney Urban Sketchers next month and I think it would great to take these brushes.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

24 July 2022

Clearing

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry