Written by For Day 27 of World Watercolor Month and our optional prompt of “Group,” I sketched a little trio of painted buntings. I’ve always loved sketching birds, so this seemed like to perfect opportunity to do so again. I often see large groups of birds flying through the neighborhood where we live. If it’s close to sunset, I have to squint to verify they are indeed birds and not a cluster of bats, which are equally intriguing. I’m not even remotely a true birdwatcher, though I have learned to spots various kinds over the years. I like to listen for the bird calls and see if I can guess what type of bird might be in that next tree. I’m generally always wrong, of course, as one needs to actually study bird calls in order to make an educated guess. For me, like most things, it’s just a fun game to play. What I also find interesting is that when it comes to a group of birds, there’s not a single way to describe them. Each type of bird group seems to have its own folksy name from a gaggle of geese to a parliament of magpies.
It’s nice to be part of a group and feel a shared identity. When I was a kid, I was a member of various clubs. Some of them where through school, but some were just groups of kids deciding they were, in fact, a group worthy of naming. By the time I was in high school, I was in so many different groups that I could barely keep track of them all. I think it was because I was generally interested in everything. Nearly every topic was appealing to me so whether it was a foreign language club, math club, or art club, I was a member of the group. This is what lead me to start Doodlewash and World Watercolor Group, and indeed, found this very month. My hope was to bring everyone who loves watercolor together in a fun celebration of the medium. I still adore watercolor with that same sense of excitement that I had when I very first picked up a paint brush and started coloring!
Much has changed and algorithms make it tougher to come together or even find each other online these days, but the spirit is still very much the same. And, I can’t believe that Doodlewash is now over seven years old! That sounds like a kid in regular years, but in Internet years that’s a pretty significant achievement. I’ve been so happy to have met so many wonderful friends through this journey and it’s fun to have a little place to come together and share our thoughts and what we make. I’ve got more dreams of things I’d like to do in the future to help artists come together, but for now, I’m just happy that we’ve managed to keep this thing going for all these years. A big hug to everyone who’s been a part of this experience. It’s wonderful to know that we share so much in common as we color the world together in our own unique fashion, like a group of birds.
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Opus (Vivid Pink), Quinacridone Red, Yellow Ochre, Hansa Yellow Medium, Vermilion, Leaf Green, Terra Cotta, Ultramarine (Green Shade), and Indigo. ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Click Here! |
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Happy seven year anniversary! Thank you Charlie for all of your hard work to share the joy of watercolor with the world.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Appreciate it!!
Of course Charlie, Doodlewash is a good place to be!
Aww so happy to hear it, Linda! 😃💕
The name for a group of painted buntings is a mural or palette – quite apt for this prompt! I wish I’d known sooner and I would have done one for the prompt myself. A flock of snow buntings is called a drift, so it would have been good for this month as well.
Aww I couldn’t find the name for a group of painted buntings quickly when I searched… hehe… meaning… in a hot second! That’s so cool!! 😃💕
I’m getting better at finding trivia than I am at painting, lol!
The internet brought me to you. It can’t be too bad. You know how I feel about you, Charlie. Being here with you is like visiting a sweet friend in their cozy home. Super sweet birds. Love and hugs, my friend.
Aww that’s so sweet! I love the thought of that! 😃💕 Hugs and much love to you mi amiga!
Beautiful birds, Charlie, and happy anniversary!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕
Charming group of winged friends.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕
Beautiful birds, Charlie. This is a great community to belong to.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 And I’m so happy you’re a part of it!
And a big hug to you for starting this great site.
Aww thanks so much, Victoria! 😃💕 Hugs to you as well!
Hello hello Charlie,
Those buntings are gorgeous… I love the colors! Many congratulations on Doodlewash turning seven. That is a great milestone indeed! And more power to you for all the fun things you’ve planned for the future my friend… gp full steam ahead Charlie! We are all definitely with you. 🙂
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 I truly appreciate the support! It’s tough sometimes to keep juggling everything at once, but it’s so worth it in the end to try. Fun and exciting things are coming!
They are beautiful
Thanks so much! 😃💕