Tag: sketch

Urban Sketchers Wollongong Field Trip – Innovation Campus, Wollongong

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Earlier today, I attended my first Urban Sketchers Wollongong Sketch-meet this year. I don’t actually live the Wollongong (Illawarra Region) in NSW however, we quite often visit the region as I am also a member of Red Point Artists, which is located on the coast to the South. The beaches of Wollongong are the closest beaches to where we live, some 66 kilometres away (41 miles). For us, that is a short drive.

Today’s outing was only 51km (32 miles) away and it was held at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Only 7 Sketchers turned up today (it was very hot), and we met at the Campus Cafe, called ‘Piccolo Me’ cafe. We had a half-hour chat then ventured out to select our subject.

I found the unusually-designed building below…

I’ve lightened up the shadows considerably here to show te detail in the panelling.

After deciding to do this one, I have to decide how much of it to do. For some reason, I seem to gravitate towards subjects with lots of lines. Knowing I only had a relatively short time-frame, I decided not to do the whole scene.

I found doing this sketch quite challenging and would do it differently next time I think. I haven’t done a lot of en Plein air as yet. I really do enjoy it though.

After the sketching, we all had lunch and had a ‘throw-down.’ This is where all the sketches are put on the ground (this time it was a table) so that everyone can see what has been sketched and we can see all the different styles. Unfortunately, this time, I don’t have a photo of all the different sketches.

I really enjoyed the company and the ‘Arty’ conversation once again.

Looking forward to next month’s Sketch-meet!

If you are interested in finding out more about the Urban Sketchers, I shall put a link below. There are Urban Sketch Groups all over the world.

Till next time – Happy Sketching!”’

Written by David Johnson

4 February 2024

https://urbansketchers.org/

Urban Sketchers Sydney – September Sketch-meet!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, myself and approx. 50-60 other Urban Sketchers attended the September Sketch-meet. Our destination was the Sydney Opera House, which in a month’s time will have been open for 50 years.

I remember watching the opening in October 1973 on a Black & White TV set from our home approx. 13km/8 miles from the Sydney CBD. I still remember running up to the bridge over the railway line half-way between my suburb and the next so we could see a whole mass of balloons being sent into the sky from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Of course we could not see the bridge itself, but we did see the the a mass of balloons rise in the distance.

The Sydney Opera House is one of the most uniquely designed structures in the world.

I must say I was very pleased to attend this Sketch-meet as this the first standalone Sydney Sketch-meet I have been able to attend this year.

Rather than try to sketch the whole building, I chose to do a section of it and am very happy with the result.

As you can see from the first photo, it was perfect weather and it was quite a relaxing experience. I find the whole experience of sketching/painting, meditative, particularly when I do minute details, like the tiles in the ‘Sails.’

One of the things that I really look forward to at the the Sketch-meets is the ‘Throwdown’ as seen in the photos below. It’s wonderful seeing all the different styles and mediums that people use to create their Art. So inspirational.

All-in-all it was a great morning of sketching. It is so great to get together with a group of creators.

The ‘Urban Sketchers’ are a world-wide movement which is in over 60 countries, 394 cities with over 120,000 members. For more information, check out their website https://urbansketchers.org/ so you can find a chapter near you.

Till next time – Happy Sketching!

Written by David Johnson

3 September 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

4 Years and Counting…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I’m a bit late getting to post about this as there has been a lot happening in our Family and Life in general over the past three weeks…

On Australia Day, 26 January 2023, I achieved somewhat of a milestone with my Watercolour Sketch a Day project.

On the above date, I had completed a Watercolour Sketch a Day, every day, for 4 years. As of today, it is 4 years, 17 days.

As the 4 years straight of Watercolour Sketch a Day fell on Australia Day, I chose to do a Line and Wash sketch of a mammal that is unique to Australia, the Platypus.

It was my first attempt at sketching/painting this subject and I found it rather challenging!

I feel sure that I will attempt this subject again.

For more information on this unique creature, visit the following link.

https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/platypus/

Written by David Johnson

12 February 2023

Emotions React

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry

Urban Sketchers Sydney – October Meet

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Saturday, I went on my second Meet of the Urban Sketchers Sydney group. This time, the Meet was held in the grounds between the Sydney Town Hall and St Andrews Cathedral.

The main object of the day was to attempt a sketch of a moving subject, the newly built ‘Sydney Light Rail’, a red and deep grey, modern-style tram.

There were 40 or so Urban Sketchers in attendance and most started with the Light Rail as the subject. Quite a few of us went in the other direction and chose stationary subjects i.e. buildings or parts of buildings. I chose the side entrance/steps to the Sydney Town Hall.

Sydney Town Hall

To be honest, I found this subject challenging enough and when it started to rain a little it was even more challenging. After I finished this sketch, I did wander over to the Light Rail and started to sketch it. It was kind of weird how the subject kept disappearing… I didn’t get to finish the sketch at the time but it certainly was an interesting challenge and experience.

We then had the ‘Throw Down’ and once again it was marvellous to see all the different interpretations and styles of those present.

Throw Down

I am so glad that I came across this group on Facebook. Urban Sketchers Sydney is full of friendly and inspirational people and I am looking forward to attending my third Meet in November. I wonder where it will be? 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/groups/usksyd/about/

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

3 October 2022

Sketching Loosely

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry

The Sydney Urban Sketchers

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry
NB: They are actually known as ‘Urban Sketchers Sydney’ however, Sketchers rhymes well with ‘adventures’
and it is the ‘adventure’ I’m writing about.

My Creative Journey In Visual Art

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry 
My creative journey
Began with a camera
This went on for many years
I was an enthusiastic amateur

Joining and starting camera clubs
Was so much fun
I made many friends
My creative life had begun

I entered competitions and exhibitions
Sometimes I won
All in all
It was just good fun

Along the way
I became a Photographic Judge
Which gave me a different perspective
It gave my photography a nudge

Briefly, in the Nineties
I started to sketch
Though photography remained King
I felt the itch

I took a basic drawing course
In two thousand and ten
Three years later 
My photography business opened

The business ran 
For a couple of years
Then I decided 
To do something else

In the meantime my love
For sketching and painting had grown
It was battling photography
For the Title and Crown

Oil painting at that time
Was my preferred expression
It became my ‘go to’
My new expression

Joining Art groups
Has helped me to foster
My desire to create Art
They helped my creativity to prosper

Then I returned
To the first painting medium I tried
The one that had captured me 
That reminded me of Slides

Line and Wash 
Then caught my attention
It became part of me
A lifelike extension

A Watercolour sketch-a-day
Would give me loads of practice
It continues to this day
Feeding my Inner Sanctum

Oils too
Remain a passion
For me, I think
They’ll always be in fashion

Photography still
Has a special place in my Heart
It started my creative journey
Of me, it will always be a part

Though at this time
Sketching and Painting are my direction
They will for a long time
Have my attention

Written by David Johnson

22 September 2022

© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2022

Reveal

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry