Tag: watercolour

Watercolour Nature Journalling Workshop – So Much Fun!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Sunday, I had the absolute pleasure attending the workshop above. It was run by Linda Brown who is a professional artist from the Illawarra Region, south of Sydney. Linda is a fellow member of Red Point Artists, which is based at Port Kembla.

My Wife, Susan gave me a gift certificate for my birthday in March. The certificate was to be able to attend any of Linda’s workshop’s, and I chose this one as thought it sounded delightful, and it was. 🙂

We were asked to bring various natural subjects down, like Autumn leaves, twigs, bark, driftwood, shells, flowers, etc.

Linda guided us through different techniques during the day, which culminated in producing a Watercolour on Watercolour paper after first practising on sketchbook 110 gsm paper. This way, we could experiment on cheaper paper first.

As with any workshop, the people attending make it great as well, and there was a good mix of beginner to experienced artists, all ready to jump out of their comfort zones.

Here is my creation below, expertly guided by Linda Brown Artist. Thanks Linda! 🙂

Linda is running more of this type of workshop, plus others so if you see them advertised, I would highly recommend you check them out.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

6 May 2025

An Emotional Connection – My 7th Watercolour Painting Sold!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, my Wife Susan and I attended Red Point Artists Makers Market (formerly known as Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass), at the Red Point precinct in Port Kembla, (south of Wollongong) on the New South Wales coast.

It was a little bit different yesterday though as we formed part of the Annual Port Kembla Festival which included street stalls and live music up and down Wentworth Street, the main street in Port Kembla.

One of the highlights of the day was that I sold my 7th Watercolour painting, “Distant Mountains”, which appears below.

Materials:

  • Baohong The Master’s Choice Artist Watercolour paper, rough, 300gsm 18cm x 26cm.
  • Sumikondo Japonesque Watercolours
  • Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours
  • Aquawash brushes

The lady who purchased it said it reminded her of where she grew up. Interestingly, the image/composition came from my imagination.

We never will truly know who will be interested in our creations. Just keep painting, sketching, and be confident enough to display your Art. Someone, somewhere may just have an emotional connection to your Art.

Till next time!

Written & Painted by David Johnson

13 April 2025

Red Point Artists – March 2025 – Painting #6 Sold!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Yesterday, Susan & I went to Red Point Artist’s Maker’s Market for the first time this year, having missed the first event of the year last month. It used to be called ‘Art & Craft on the Grass’ which, I still think, is a better name.

There were not as many stalls this time, and was wondering if the inclement weather was to blame?

Regardless of how many stalls are there we always have a relaxing time. Between chatting to the visiting public and sketching/painting, it is always fun. You just never know who you might meet or help to encourage on their artistic journey.

There is always an exhibition as well and live music. All adds up to a great time.

As a bonus, I sold an A5 Watercolour painting yesterday, the image below called “Beside the Lake.” So grateful!

All in all, another enjoyable day!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

9 March 2025

Watercolour Sketch a Day – 6 Years Straight!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

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.

“Direction” – 6 Years of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

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.

“Iceberg” – 6 Years, 1 Day of a Watercolour Sketch a Day!

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”

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 Delightful Christmas Present!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

As always, I am very grateful to receive gifts at any time, including Christmas, as we all should be.

This Christmas, I received a 36-set of Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolours. I saw a fellow Macarthur Art Group member with these some months ago. Then, I did a bit of research on them.

I was asked a month before Christmas for some Christmas present hints. This set was one of four suggestions I gave out so the element of surprise was still there.

Here is my first attempt using them.

I love the colours’ richness. The paint’s texture is also impressive. According to the instructions, it can be used as a Gouache or as Watercolour.

I am looking forward to experimenting with these paints and getting to know them. Lots of fun on the horizon to be sure.

Till next time!

Written & sketched/painted by David Johnson

29 December 2024

Playing Around…

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

I’m only a fairly recent user of Arches Watercolour paper. I’ve wanted to use it for a fair while. The only reason I hadn’t used it before this year was the cost. One of the ways I used to solve this issue was watching out for discounts.

Earlier in the year, I visited Eckersley’s Art & Craft store. It is located in my local area. I was looking to buy some watercolour paper. I considered buying Fabriano, which I had used before. Then, I discovered there was a sale on Arches watercolour paper.

The only thing was that the A4 size had sold out. So, I purchased an A3 pack. Then, I cut each sheet in half to use. Problems solved!

The painting below is the first time I have used the Sumikondo Japanese Watercolour paints with Arches watercolour paper.

Material list as follows:

  • Arches Cold Press Watercolour paper A4
  • Sumikondo Japanese Watercolour paint
  • Neef & Aquawash brushes
  • Colours:
    • Sky: Blue-Black
    • Mountains: Blue-Black & Purple-Black
    • Trees: Green-Black & Blue-Black
    • Plain: Yellow Black (watered down)
    • Grasses: Yellow Black
“Storm Approaching”

The composition was from my imagination and it certainly was fun playing around wet-in-wet.

Till next time!

Written & painted by David Johnson

11 November 2024

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

Sumikondo (Japanesque) Watercolours

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Recently, at an en plein air field trip to a ‘Back to Belgenny’ farm open day with some fellow members of Macarthur Art Group, I was introduced to Sumikondo (Japanesque) Watercolours by Michele Arentz.

Michele has been using them for a little while now and quite liked the colours. Below is an example of the 6 colours I recently purchased from Amazon to try out.

I must say that even with my early attempts, I am quite impressed and am thoroughly enjoying using them. Michele has a set of 20 colours and I feel it won’t be too long until I add more of these Watercolours to my set.

Below are a few of my Watercolour sketches with these paints so far. A couple are using only the Sumikondo Watercolours, and I have also included a couple where I have used these watercolours plus Daniel Smith watercolours.

My first attempt. Blue-Black and Purple-Black are used here.
Blue-Black, Purple-Black, Red-Black plus Daniel Smith Burnrt Sienna & Burnt Umber
Purple-Black, Blue-Black, Red-Black, Green-Black & Yellow-Black
Blue-Black, Purple-Black, Daniel Smith Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre

It’s only early days yet however, I believe Sumikondo Watercolours have a lot to offer, and I am having a lot of fun experimenting with them.

I’m currently working on a 15cm x 23cm Watercolour using both the Sumikondo & Daniel Smith Watercolours. The Watercolour paper I am using for this one is Baohong The Master’s Choice, rough, block paper, 300gsm. I am already loving the combination of the Watercolours and the paper and I will post the finished artwork on this blog.

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

7 September 2024