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

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

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 27

Well, it’s so great to post again. Things have been really busy over the past few weeks.

The following selection of images were taken on a 4.5 km / 2.8 mile walk this past week.

Till next time!

Written & photographed by David Johnson

7 December 2025

Feeling

Things That Attract My Eye – Part 25

This morning, after my gym workout, I went for a 2.3km/1.4-mile walk. It so great to have an area so beautiful that is so close to the gym.

Here are some images I took along the way.

Till next time!

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

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

Riding The Wave

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

“Glacier” – 6 Years, 125 Days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

It has been another very hectic month for many reasons. I am fortunate to have started this daily Art practice a few years ago. Without this practice I think I would have been using the old excuse, “that I didn’t have time” a lot!

Here is today’s sketch.

Materials:

  • Aquarelle Watercolour sketchbook 300gsm Cold Press
  • Sumikondo Japanese Watercolours (Blue-Black)
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolours (Indigo)
  • Aquawash & Neef brushes

I had a lot of fun doing this one!

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

31 May 2025

Such A Blessing