Tag: Winsor and Newton

Watercolour Sketch a Day – 2,000 Days Straight!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Four days ago, on 13 August 2024 I completed by 2,000th Watercolour Sketch a Day in a row.

Back in 2018, I had started back doing Watercolour after doing it briefly in 2010 after doing a basic, six-week Drawing course. Photography was still my main creative interest at the time so doing Watercolour, or any other sketching/painting-related activity was just something I dabbled in for a bit of fun, on and off for the next eight years.

Towards the end of 2018, I wanted to start to learn Watercolour however, I was only getting to do it once or twice every two-three weeks which was frustrating. Around that time, I was talking to a business friend, who in outside hours, sketched in Charcoal and also used Soft Pastels. Also, I have been listening to a podcast called, ‘Sketching Stuff’ over time, which was broadcast by Charlie O’Shields who created the ‘Doodlewash’ website. Charlie had done a Watercolour sketch a day & a blog post every day for 5 years. He only stopped as he was going to be working on a project, doing illustrations for children’s book from memory.

I thought that something like what Charlie did seemed impossible, but he had done it. I didn’t start straight away, though.

On 26 January 2019, it was Australia Day and I was sitting at home relaxing and thought I would do a Watercolour sketch, the one you see below.

It was done on cheap Monte Marte paper with Sennelier Student Watercolour half-pans. This sketch ended up being Watercolour Sketch a Day, Day 1.

I set my goal as doing ‘one Watercolour Sketch a day’, and that is still my goal. I was very pleased to reach seven days in a row. Quite chuffed actually. I almost stopped after 400 days in a row, then I thought ‘this is so much fun’, and it became a kind of meditative experience where I could ‘zone out’ from the day.

Sometimes, I do the sketches early in the morning before the business day gets going. Other times, I do them at the end of the day. I really look forward to the time I spend doing them. Sometimes, I spend 10-15 minutes, other times it is 30 minutes or more. It just depends on the day.

Sometimes, you notice improvements, and other times it can feel like the sketches are not as good as some of the previous ones. It’s kind of like Life, or building a business.

The Watercolour Sketch below is the one I did for Day 1,000. It was tutorial by Peter Sheeler on YouTube. Early on I did quite a few tutorials, particularly by Peter Sheeler, and Nil Rocha Art. I highly recommend them.

Between 1,000 and 2,000, I’ve done less tutorials and more

  • sketching from imagination
  • sketching from my own reference photos
  • en plein air

Within that time, I’ve also attended quite a few sketch-meets with Urban Sketchers Sydney and Urban Sketchers Wollongong, and over the past few years, I’ve obtained a lot of inspiration from being a member of Macarthur Art Group and Red Point Artists.

I also use much better, Artist quality paper this days and a few years ago switched to Artist quality paper and brushes which certainly makes a difference.

For my 2,000th Watercolour Sketch a Day, I chose to do a landscape/seascape below. This is a variation of a previous one I did. Sometimes, I like to go back to a previous sketch and see if I can improve upon it, from last time. Very happy to have this image as #2000!

So, where to from here?

Well today is 5 years, 203 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day and I’ll be doing it at an Open Day called “Back to Belgenny”, which is being held at a colonial homestead about 1/2 hour from where I live. I’m one of quite a few members of Macarthur Art group who are doing en plein air demonstrations for the public, which seems a long way from the Day 1 sketch I did in my lounge room back on Australia Day 2019.

I am loving the different experiences of this Artistic journey, which I will be continuing for a long time to come yet. 🙂

Written by David Johnson

17 August 2024

All the Watercolour Sketch a Day images are on my Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/communicatingcreatively/

My other Instagram page is:

https://www.instagram.com/light.inspired/

Back at Red Point Artists

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Today was our first time back at the Red Point Artists Art & Craft on the Grass event since April this year. The May event was cancelled due to bad weather and we couldn’t get to the June event as we both had Covid (for the first-time after dodging for 4 1/2 years).

Today was also the 4th time I have had a stall there.

Once again it was a fun time, a little cool and windy for the first few hours, then the Sun came out and warmed things up a little.

Today also represented ‘5 years, 168 Days’ since I started my ‘Daily Art Practice.’ The image below is today’s effort.

I have already booked my spot for the August event, and there are a number of things I need to do in the next month to ‘upgrade’ my presentation at the stall.

It was also great to see a few other Artists brave the Winter day and come to display their creative efforts. It’s always a joy to see their latest creations.

Looking forward to next month’s event!

Written by David Johnson

13 July 2024

Watercolour Sketch a Day – That’s 5 Years!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Today marks 5 years of doing a Watercolour Sketch a Day, every day, straight!

On 26 January 2019, I decided to aim to do a Watercolour Sketch a Day as I wanted to:

  • Create a daily Art practice
  • Improve my skills

I remember that after 7 days being happy that I had managed to get that far. Prior to setting my goal of a Watercolour Sketch a Day, I used to do one and then Life would get in the way, and before too long, 2 weeks had gone by. At that rate, it would take me a long time to improve.

Here is Watercolour Sketch a Day #1

It was done on cheap Monte Marte Watercolour paper with Winsor and Newton Cotman Half-Pan Watercolour paint.

About a month after I started, I was about to sign up for 10-week Watercolour course, then the first Covid lockdown hit, and so no course. Instead, I did 120 days straight of YouTube tutorials.

As time went by, gradually I improved however, I also noticed that I would ‘plateau’ and sometimes it seemed that I was going backwards…

Mostly, I endeavour to do the Watercolour Sketch a Day in the early morning before ork although due to various commitments, that is not always possible. The later in the day it gets done, of course the more tired I am so sometimes, the resulting sketch is not as good perhaps as it would have been if I had completed it earlier. Whatever I come up with I post on my Instagram page called ‘Communicating Creatively.’ All 5 years of Watercolour Sketch a Day’s are there.

The latest I have completed was 11.00pm at night.

Also, over time, I changed to using Artist quality Watercolours (Winsor & Newton; Daniel Smith and Schminke), and starting using Artist quality 300gsm/100% Cotton (Saunders Waterford; Winsor & Newton), and Art Spectrum 300gsm/35% Cotton materials.

Here is today’s Watercolour Sketch a Day.

So, where to from here?

I am looking forward to doing Watercolour Sketch a Day, 5 years 1 Day tomorrow. Yes, the journey will continue as I feel I have a long way to go to get to where I want to be as an Artist. I need to get outside my comfort zone more, too.

A few people have asked me, over time, what is the number you are heading for?

My reply is simple, all I am aiming to do is ‘a Watercolour Sketch a Day’ to practice and improve my skills. I just happened to have done that every day, for 5 years straight.

Happy painting!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

26 January 2024

https://www.instagram.com/communicatingcreatively/

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

A Generous Gift – Italian Handmade Watercolour Paper

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last year, a good friend, business associate and mentor, left for a business trip over to Europe. On her return, She presented me with a gift, a pack of “Amalfi Hand Made Watercolour Paper.” Alison said she saw this paper and thought of me. Thanks, Alison!

I was indeed very grateful as for one, I wasn’t expecting a gift at all and certainly not a pack of fine Italian Watercolour Paper!

Last year was an extremely busy and life-changing year and I struggled (particularly in the latter half of the year) to find, not only quality time but the state I wanted to be in to try the paper.

Today, for my Day 1,431 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day, I thought I would do it. Today, is New Year’s Day Holiday in Australia (as NYD fell on a Sunday), so it seemed like the perfect time to try the paper.

When trying any new paper, I’ve read that it is a great idea to try some small samples so I cut one of the 30cm x 30cm sheets into 6 pieces and I shall use them for my next 6 Watercolour Sketches a Day. This way, I can see how the paper performs, how it takes water and colour etc.

I also thought I would sketch a subject I had done before. It will take time for me to get used to the paper as it is many steps up from what I have been using up till now.

Here is Day 1,431 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day.

Written by David Johnson

2 January 2023

Latest Watercolour Sketches a Day!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Well, moving house is finally over. Now it’s just continuing to open boxes, sort, and set up the different rooms.

I’m a fair bit behind in posts for this month so I had ‘better get my skates on!’

I’ve included a few of my latest Watercolour Sketches a Day. That is all the art-related endeavour I have been able to do lately. Hope you enjoy them.

Day 1,386 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
Day 1,390 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day
Day 1,391 of a Watercolour Sketch a Day

I’ve been trying to experiment with layers and letting the water do more of the work and I like the effects I am getting so I think I will head more in this direction.

Written by David Johnson

25 November 2022

Experimenting With Card Stock

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Mostly when I do my Watercolour Sketch a day, I will use Watercolour paper (in a sketchbook), mixed media paper anywhere from 200 gsm to 300 gsm.

Occasionally, I’ll try a different type, and recently, I purchased some plain and some textured Card Stock. I intend to use it mainly for some junk journals I want to make however, today, I decided to use the Card stock in my Watercolour Sketch a day.

I quite like the way the paint moves around the paper. Below is Day 1,368.

Written by David Johnson

30 October 2022

First Time at Urban Sketchers Sydney!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last Saturday-week, I went on my first Urban Sketchers Sydney ‘Sketch-meet’. It was held in Surry Hills, literally 5 minutes walk from the southern reaches of the Sydney CBD.

I had joined their Facebook group late last year after it popped up courtesy of Facebook’s algorithm however, life came up in one form or another between then and this month which prevented me from attending the monthly outing.

Sydney turned on some beautiful Winter weather for the day with 19C/66F forecast and predominantly Blue skies. A warmer day than we can usually expect.

I arrived a bit earlier and met up with one of the sketchers, who had already started sketching. As time went by, more and more sketchers turned up until there were approximately 40 people in attendance.

One of the leaders of the day, Julie informed us where the important things were like local amenities, cafes and pointed out buildings and other places of interest that we might like to sketch.

We are then given 2 1/4 hours to sketch/paint and once finished, we all met as a group and enacted a ‘throw down’ as they call it. This is where everyone puts their creations in a group on the ground so that we can all see the different interpretations of the scenes being sketched/painted.

After that, a group photo is taken and posted on the Urban Sketchers Sydney Facebook page.

I chose a subject with too many windows I think and it was certainly a challenge perspective-wise. It certainly was relaxing, sitting there in the glorious sunshine. One of the attractions of sketching is that it is such a meditative experience.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning and I am looking forward to the next one!

Thank you Urban Sketchers Sydney for a great Sketch-meet!

Written by David Johnson

14 August 2022

Watercolour Canvas

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

A little while ago I stumbled across a ‘Watercolour Canvas’ product in Spotlight, a material and craft store in my local area. Not that I’m all that experienced in Art but I didn’t know there was such a thing called Watercolour canvas. I thought canvas was for mediums other than Watercolour.

It is made by a business called ‘Semco’ and although it is branded ‘Artist Quality’ I’m not sure you would class it as such bearing in mind where it is being sold, the minimal cost and the fact that the term, ‘Artist Quality’ seems to get put on a lot of materials regardless of whether it is or isn’t ‘Artist Quality’. It comes in a range of sizes just like normal canvas and is available in a board or in stretched form.

My first attempt on a board is below, an image using a reference photo I took on our third trip to Norfolk Island, earlier this year. I did a light sketch of the image in pencil, then sketched over the pencil with pigment liners then started painting. The paint sticks sometimes and glides across other times and I used about 3-4 layers in some areas.

I particularly liked the painting in weathered boat areas.

“Old Lighter” – Norfolk Island

My second attempt on the board is below, a rather simpler, straight Watercolour image. Painting the ocean was particularly challenging as the paint hardly seem to stick to the canvas with the first attempt to apply paint. After letting it dry, I applied more paint and the original paint seemed to get disturbed so, in the end, I used less water and a bit more paint and painted very lightly.

“Feeling of Summer”

I have a few more boards left and look forward to experimenting with them, though I might apply some Gesso first to see what that does. I also have a couple of stretched Watercolour canvas 8×10’s here, one of which I’m experimenting with.

All good fun!

Till next time!

Written by David Johnson

31 July 2022