Written by This is the final doodlewash of my virtual tour of France. I sketched this yesterday for the final sketch in the #DrawingAugust challenge I was participating in on Twitter. It’s actually a bit sad to see this journey end, but it was a tough challenge to create a full ink sketch each day versus simply a single quick pencil drawing and doodlewash.
For this one, I used a photo I had taken in Paris on yet another rainy day. The rain had actually stopped at this point, but you never know when it will be back so people usually just keep holding their umbrellas up.
I also tried some new colors – Davy’s Gray and Neutral Tint (the latter my first M. Graham tube recommended by Edvin). I had no idea how to create wet pavement reflections, so I just sort of opted out on trying them. Beyond the neutral colors, I used Quinacridone Gold, French Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Naples Yellow, and Cobalt Turquoise.
Even though there was a typically French brasserie across the street, I was actually sitting inside a Starbucks for this shot. Philippe said the brasseries were for old people, which made me feel young, and judging from the clientele, he was right. It was our first time in Paris together, and very close to the end of the visit, so this was a special scene for me.
This month of virtual touring has been fun and I really hope you’ve enjoyed the ride! More touring to come and more locations to visit, so stay tuned! Thanks so much to all of you who have travelled with me! And although it’s sad to leave this particular little virtual tour, I take comfort in knowing that one day soon I’ll be back in France, sketchbook in hand, and watercolors at the ready, reporting to you live in doodlewashes! But for now, au revoir et merci!
A very special painting, indeed, for so many reasons! Love how you’ve captured the hurried movement of that woman.
Thanks Teresa!! And glad you like the figure…I always struggle with those!! 😊😃
It’s great that you push yourself to do subjects that you struggle with!
Agreed! I must try more this month! Hehe
Terrific ending. I’ve enjoyed the tour. Feel free to return and sketch more! And that is very stylish woman you’ve put in. Great!
Well she is French after all! Hehe…and I put a person in!! You should be proud! Thanks so much for joining me on this tour Kirk! I really appreciate all the feedback and encouragement!!
Thank you for mentioning M Graham watercolor!
No problem Diana! My first tube and I love them! I definitely want to try more!
M Graham watercolors are the BEST!!! Nothing I’ve used can compare.
Great tour!
Thanks Naomi!! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you’ll stick around for the next tour starting tomorrow!! 😉
Awesome sketch, painting and end of the tour. Such talent!
Awww thank you Jodi! And thanks for coming along. I really appreciate the company! 🙂
Au Revoir sweet Paris! I enjoyed your virtual tour Charlie and you leave us on a high note with this beauty!
Ahh thanks Cathe! I really appreciate you traveling along with me! Stay tuned for more!! Hehe….new places to explore! 😉
I really like this painting but I’m even MORE excited that you have acquired your first M Graham tube! Give that a try with a stronger color you love and I promise you’ll never go back to WN. (Ooh, that almost sounded like a challenge!) 💛💜💛
That did sound like a challenge!! And I loved using this paint!! Hehe…but since it’s one that costs money it will be done very slowly and carefully to avoid being divorced! Lol 😉 💜
Lol, I know that feeling well! 🎨😉👍😝😀
Holy hell, is Diana M Graham THE M Graham?!?!
Haha…I think so! Sweet of her to comment. I definitely want to try a lot more M. Graham paint now!!
Seriously. Less expensive AND much better quality. So much more vibrant and wonderful and juicy. There is nothing not to like about M Graham paint. It is wonderful. I can’t say enough about it!
Okay…you’re in charge of convincing Philippe to spend the extra money then!😉 I just need 6 more tubes to get started! Hehe
I could even recommend some colors lol! Just tell me what color family hehe. Their paint is truly wonderful. I don’t go on and on about anything unless it truly is great. I really have found nothing negative, at all, ever. My palette is probably 90% Graham, and the only time I buy any other paint it’s because I can’t buy M Graham locally! I wish I could. So if I need something today, I’m stuck with WN, which is the only brand the local chains carry. I’m almost always disappointed with it in comparison to Graham. Plus the fact I feel I’m being robbed every time I spend a fortune for a tiny little tube. I always have to use tons more of it to equal just a touch of Graham. I am on a mission to convince more artists to try it. It’s lesser known, but it deserves to be THE paint carried by all of the chains, everywhere! Arches paper deserves it’s reputation (and price tag), but in my opinion, Winsor and Newton just frankly doesn’t. I wish I could shout it from the rooftops!
Hold please…I think I can picture it… you, on a rooftop shouting and it’s AWESOME!! Lol Thanks friend! They actually do carry them at one of the art stores in my city, so I have well…a little too easy access. 😊😊 They were out of Cobalt Teal or I probably would have snuck that one in too immediately for my skies. The good news is, that painting every day makes the paint go faster, so I can justify getting more soon! 😉
I can vouch for Graham’s cobalt teal! It’s wonderful! And every time I use their quinacridone gold, I think of you, Charlie. :)))) I hear you about having art supplies too close at hand. Yes, I will shout from the rooftops, and I will keep shouting. Art supplies are expensive enough. We need to save money where we can, and it’s a no-brainer (at least at Blick’s online prices, which is how I have to mail order them) to pay a lower price for more paint in the tube. And to get vibrant, juicy, never-dries-out or needs to be refreshed paint is just a slam dunk. I do think I could convince P. with this argument alone! I could go on about this forever. You’ve listened to my rants long enough. Have a great day, Charlie!
Hehe…well you’ve certainly convinced me at least!! You’re a great spokesperson! I can’t wait to try more M. Graham! Have a fantastic day, my friend! 😃
I also wish I could edit it’s to its. Dumb autocorrect. Anyway. Sorry, Charlie, my passions overfloweth about this paint! I shall shut up now. Have a wonderful day, my friend!
Never shut up!! Haha! I always LOVE your comments Laura! Thanks friend! (And autocorrect is NOT a friend…hehe…)
Nice job. Really like this one. Has been a fun series!!
Thanks so much Margaret!! Super glad you’ve liked it! Stay tuned to check out Kansas City! 😃
Is that where you live?!
Yep! Kansas City is my home town! Grew up here!
My grandfather used to drive his cattle there from Oklahoma.
Oh wow! That’s cool! My grandparents were farmers, but lived a couple hours south of here.
Mine were down toward Bixby but in oil after ggrandfather. He had a horse ranch in southern Kansas.
Nice! My brother used to own a lot of horses, but mainly just to ride.
That’s what he raced. They also raced them.
Hmm should have said my ggrandfather DUH. My dad is from Tulsa.
A lovely painting and a nice sentimental departure, for a short time anyway, from France. Thank you so much for the journey, it has been wonderful and I look forward to traveling back with you via your ‘live’ postings. À bientôt!
Thanks! It’s been so wonderful to have you join me, Haunani. I kind of like this virtual travel thing though so I’ll be doing it again next month! It’s the least expensive way to take a trip! Hehe
Least expensive, able to sight-see from home in the company of our furry family while at the same time meeting new people and enjoying the camaraderie of friends. Delightful!
Yep!! Sometimes that’s the most fun of all!!
Thank you for the tour. I’ve not made it to France.
You’re quite welcome Beverly! And you should definitely go one day! You’d love it!!
Love the perspective on this one. Colors feel like Paris to me.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Ahhh, I miss Paris!
Love this!
robert
Thanks so much, Robert! 😃💕