Riding The Wave
Tag: sea
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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)
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
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
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
Looking For A Sign
At Last!!!
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
Communicating Creatively 