#WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 31 - Glass Of Watercolor - A Refreshing Finish - Doodlewash
By Charlie

A Refreshing Finish

Written by Charlie O'Shields

As we come to the close of yet another month’s art challenge, we’ve come to our last prompt of “refreshing.” It always feels refreshing to complete a full month’s worth of watercolor sketches and this one was extra cool because it was on the last page of my sketchbook. Another one to add to the stack! So, I’m super excited to head into April, with a fresh new sketchbook, as we begin our next art challenge “Like A Kid Again!” This one is unique in that it’s both a watercolor painting and sketching challenge, which means you can participate with only drawings, drawings with watercolor, or just lovely watercolor paintings. So, the doodles and the wash are all in play for April and I’m excited to see what everyone will make! Also, it’s my birthday month! Okay, well, my birthday is actually on the 13th and, yup, I totally snuck in a special prompt for that day. I’ve no shame! If you’d like to get me a gift, you may do so by simply hopping in during the month and joining us in the challenge. Painting and sketching with friends is always the best gift of all!

Actually, I haven’t asked Philippe for anything this year for my birthday. What I need most is a new iPhone because mine is rather old and slowly dying, so that’s really all I have on the list. That said, he asked if I wanted to go into the Apple store today and I declined as since it’s not quite my birthday yet, so my exuberance couldn’t get me past the extreme cost of one. I’m sure I’ll feel differently closer to the day, once the little boy inside devours my brain and all sense of fiscal responsibility. I get a little giddy during my birthday month. Though I’m actually getting a year older, in truth, I become several decades younger every April. There’s not really an adult version of a birthday celebration that I’ve ever found as fun as the ones I had as a kid. Even though I’m an introvert, I tried to throw a huge party for my 40th birthday, but since parties aren’t my thing I didn’t know how to do it properly. I just tossed out an invite to my friend’s list on Facebook and over 100 people showed up. I’m not sure I even knew most of them so I spent much of the evening hiding out on the terrace with a glass of wine.

As a kid, I only had small little birthday celebrations that included a few close friends and family. That’s really my favorite kind of all. Well, that, and the cake! Yes, also presents, totally love those as well, but the cake! It was always and still is my favorite part about a birthday. I usually end up eating too much of it and lapsing into a buttercream coma, but it’s totally worth it. Getting older and older is not quite as much fun, but there are a lot of perks that come with it, so it’s not all bad. I’m actually looking forward to retirement as I’ll have much more time to paint, write, and sketch. But that’s years away and there are many birthdays to come before that finally happens. I’m content with letting life move slowly and not rushing to the end, of course. But when I finally do reach that final birthday, I hope I can look back at all I’ve done with pride. When the moment comes and as they say, my entire life flashes before my eyes, I hope it’s a great story. One filled with twists and turns, surprises, gloriously happy moments, and, most importantly, making happy moments for others. Doing all I can do with hope and optimism, to me, means that when the end finally comes, at least I’ll know it’s going to be one heck of a refreshing finish.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue (My “Shiny” Trio!).  Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop!
  #WorldWatercolorGroup - Day 31 - Glass Of Watercolor - A Refreshing Finish - Doodlewash

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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24 thoughts on “A Refreshing Finish”

  1. You do the best glass and shadows! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with in April – especially since you’ll be getting giddy. I know that means the month will be anything but boring.

    Reply

  2. Once again, masterful painting of glass, reflections and shadows. As far as a life to be proud of, I think you can already claim that accomplishment! You have reached people all over the world through this site, giving us a happy place to go to on a daily basis.

    Reply

  8. You are all gem and so is that glass, the ice and the shadow
    and the words…a refreshing treat in the hour before dawn
    on this Easter morning. Happy Easter!!!

    and

    an Early Happy Birthday

    Reply

  11. Loved this post, Charlie! And as today is Easter, it´s not only about the refreshing finish, but also about the refreshing resurrection 😉 Like a phoenix from the ashes 😂 Happy Easter, my friend! 🐣

    Reply

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