Rebirth
Tag: thoughts
Life
Watercolour Sketch a Day – Sheds
I love photographing old, rusted and or wooden sheds, and I’ve taken quite a liking to sketch and paint them. I think I am improving, and at the same time I’m endeavouring to ‘loosen up’ my sketching style.
The following two sketches are not of any particular sheds anywhere; they are just random images I did.
Materials:
- 300GSM 100% Cotton paper sketchbook purchased from Amazon
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
- Sumikondo Japanese Ink Watercolours
- Daniel Smith Watercolours
- Neef brushes
- Aqua Wash brushes
- Pigment Liner – UniPin 0.03 & 0.05
Till next time!
Written & Sketched/painted by David Johnson
22 February 2026
Devil’s Marbles
Back in 1986, I went on a Con-Tiki tour of the Northern Territory in Australia. Whilst I have quite a few photos from that location (we stayed overnight there), and the trip itself, I have never got around to attempting a painting on any of the subjects I saw on that trip.
The Devil’s Marbles are a loose formation of mainly rounded boulders, plus some other shapes that are anywhere from 50cm (19.6 inches) to 6 metres (19.6 feet) in diameter.
The painting below has a mixture of them. I’m sure I’ll do more of the Devil’s Marbles, and other locations from that trip.
- Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
- Daniel Smith Watercolours
- Aquawash brushes
- Neef brushes
- Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)
Till next time!
Written & Painted by David Johnson
8 February 2026
Here is a link to find out more information if you would like visit it.
Near & Far
I seem to do a lot seascapes. I live about 45 minutes to an hour from the nearest beach so I don’t get a lot of time to spend near the water. The painting below is another one from the imagination.
Like a lot of people, I guess I find the ocean/waves relaxing, even if I cannot get there, I love to recreate the feeling/sight at home.
- Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
- Sumikondo Japanese Ink Pigments
- Aquawash brushes
- Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)
Till next time!
Written & Painted by David Johnson
8 February 2026
Towards Another Dimension
Whilst I am enjoying painting standard subjects like seascapes, landscapes, building etc, I like to break out every now and then and do something ‘a little bit way out.’ I do love a good Sci-Fi or Fantasy book or film.
This is where I think the inspiration for, ‘Towards Another Dimension’ came.
- Baohong Aquarelle 100% Pure Cotton Rough Watercolour paper
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour pans
- Sumikondo Japanese Ink Pigments
- Masking Fluid pen
- Aquawash brushes
- Size 18 x 26cm (7 x 10 inches)
Till next time!
Written & Painted by David Johnson
8 February 2026
7 Years – Watercolour Sketch A Day!
7 years, 2 days ago, I began my Watercolour Sketch a Day, Daily Art practice.
I began doing this daily art practice for a number of reasons:
- I wanted to improve my skills.
- Previously, I was only getting to sketch/paint what seemed like only once every couple of weeks. I thought I didn’t have time.
- It’s fun!
- Creativity assists my mental health.
- It’s my ‘escape’ as I co-run a business and have a full life!
The Watercolour Sketch-a-day that I did for the 7-year mark is below.
I think it’s always good to look back and see where you came from/where you started your journey. I’m more than happy with my progress, though I still have a lot to learn. I’m certainly looking forward to doing my Watercolour Sketch a Day, each day forward. That is my number goal…a Watercolour Sketch a Day.
My very first Watercolour Sketch a Day is below. I started off using cheap Watercolour paper and below student-grade paints.
Thankfully, over time, I have tried several different papers, sketchbooks, pigment liners, brushes and paint, stepping up the quality of the tools I use and have been having a lot of fun along the way.
Looking forward to more fun, and of course, learning more and more!
Till next time!
Written & Sketched/Painted by David Johnson
31 January 2026
Our Layers Of Life
Mental Unwind
This is the second Poem I wrote yesterday when I was just sitting out the back of our house enjoying the Sunshine, gentle breeze and the lovely birdsong.
An Utter Delight!
Such a beautiful day yesterday! We had our great friends, Rolf & Karen come over for a BBQ lunch and then spent a wonderful time together for hours.😎🥩🥗🍰🍺🍹
After they left I went out the back and enjoyed the (very) late afternoon sunshine, warmth and birdsong, and the following words came to me. 😎🦜🌞✍️🖋️
Communicating Creatively 