Written by Since I don’t have much time to steal for painting while visiting my family, I decided to kick off the month with a quick experiment on toned paper. A doodle with black and white pens and a wash of red and Payne’s Gray watercolor. It was super fun to try something a little different and it’s been a super fun and relaxing time so far here in Texas. Right now, Philippe is trying to put together the insidious puzzle my mother had in the garage. It’s a waterfall, which sounds lovely as a photo, but when split into tiny pieces, it all just looks the same with a diabolical pure white center. A descent into madness that I had to take a break from for a moment. I’ve already made a mental note to head to Walmart tomorrow in search of a more colorful holiday puzzle.
Each year, it seems like the Christmas tree in the corner at my mom’s house gets a bit smaller. This is not a side effect of things seeming larger when you’re younger, but a side effect of not wanting to mess with a large tree as she gets older. This year’s tree is the smallest one yet. While, it’s every bit as tall as the previous trees, it’s lacks any girth. I kind of miss the festive feel of the larger tree. But, instead of thinking of it as the world’s skinniest Christmas tree, I instead imagine it as the world’s largest scrub brush, cleverly repurposed for the holidays. Adorned with lights and ornaments, it’s still a lovely sight.
There’s one of those tapestries on the wall, the kind with little lights that appear when you remember what precise area to press. Well, at least, it’s what we all thought it was. Five of us were clamoring around it for 15 minutes, pressing every inch in hopes to find the button when my mother finally walked in and said, “I couldn’t find the one that lights up.” But even with a little less lights and a lot less tree, it’s still a festive time. There will still be wine to pour when we head over to my sister’s house shortly, with great food, and if we’re lucky, even a few candy canes.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Da Vinci Red and Payne’s Gray. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in a Stillman & Birn Nova Series Sketchbook. |
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I like the toned paper. it’s a nice contrast to the white of the candy cane. It’s especially nice that the candy is still wrapped in cellophane — you are the King of Shiny — a skill I’d like to learn. Have a great weekend with your mother.
Thanks so much, Ann! 😃💕 yeah shiny is even more fun on toned paper! Hehe
Oh that shine again. The cellophane wrapper is perfect. Glad you and Philippe are having fun. Enjoy your family to the fullest. Liife is short.
Thanks so much, June!! 😃💕
I really enjoyed your story, especially 2nd line on 2nd paragraph about the tree getting smaller. It made me giggle! It feels somehow dry but funny at the same time, hope you know what I mean.
Anyway enjoy your time with family! 🎄😊
Hehe! So happy you liked that bit! Thanks so much, Deissy! 😃💕
You should try doing one of the 3D puzzles – you’d appreciate your waterfall more. I can just see all of you standing around that tapestry trying to light it up. How long do you think you would have tried? Love your candy cane. The beige-toned paper is awesome.
Lol.. we probably would have tried another 15 minutes… it’s cool! Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕
Love the wrapping
Thanks so much, Pamela! 😃💕
Yay! When i see candy canes, I know Christmas is coming. I can relate to your reaction to your mom’s shrinking Christmas tree. It was the same for my mom as she aged. All the more reason to hug her close while you can!
So true!! Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕
Super! Made me want a candy cane!
Thanks so much, Vicki! 😃💕
Shine wrapping and 3d effect, it’s all amazing! 😃
Aww, thanks so much, Amit! 😃💕
What a hilarious story about the tapestry that doesn’t light up – made me laugh out loud. Your candy cane is authentic, I can see the transparent cellophane around it – well done!
Hehe! Glad you enjoyed that… it was so funny when my mother walked in to rescue us! Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕
Cellophane wrapping that you painted is excellent, Charlie! You have a very good sense for painting glass, cellophane, transparent materials. How about painting silver in watercolor? Perhaps one of the next painting challenges could be about various materials: stone, silver, gold, water, air, plastic, etc. It’s just an idea 🙂
Thanks so much, Violeta! 😃💕Oh wow! Cool idea! That would be so fun!!
My family always does puzzles too. And I love your candy cane! (K)
Yay! Puzzles are so fun with family! Thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕
How great and suitably fresh it looks on the new paper! Now we know that Father Christmas is on his way 😉 How is the waterfall puzzle coming along? Have you hurled it across the room yet? 😛 That does sounds beyond cruel!
Thanks so much, Jacob! 😃💕 Actually managed to finish it, but irritated the whole time! Lol
Loved your post, Charlie. The skinny tree made me smile and brought back many good memories. The toned paper for your Doodlewash makes me want to go and get some and try that out. Have a wonderful visit with your mom. I don’t think she needs the lights in the tapestry, my guess is her children are the lights in her life. Enjoy!
Awww thanks so much, Mary!! 😃💕 What a sweet thing to say!
It’s lovely, looks like it’s just sitting there on the paper. 🙂
Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕
YAY, you tried the toned paper. Love your candy cane. I haven’t even thought of trying, it looks HARD to get the stripes right. Looks YUMMY.
I thought I commented, but it didn’t show up! hehe… YES! Toned paper is SO fun and seriously addictive!! I want to try more! Thanks, Jennifer! 😃💕
Wow, you even nailed the wrapper! Awesome candy cane and I had to chuckle picturing a small group poking at the tapestry. Have a great time with your family.
hehe… thanks so much, Laura!! It was a wonderful time! 😃💕
Charles Wysocki has the greatest puzzles. I usually buy from Amazon.
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=charles+wysocki+puzzles&sprefix=charles+wysoc%2Caps%2C197&crid=7LMZBJ05YP6L
Aww thanks! We only had Walmart in available for a replacement! hehe 😃💕
Good to hear you are enjoying your visit. Love the toned book with your candy cane! 🎄
Thanks so much, Tom!! 😃💕
Great shine on your candy cane. Sweet!
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 Toned paper is so much fun!!
I love the candy cane being on toned paper! It looks so shiny.
Thanks so much, Kati! 😃💕
The candy cane really pops on the tonal paper!
Thanks, Delores! 😃💕 Yeah, toned paper was so much fun! Love it!
That is so funny that you all were trying to get the tapestry to light up. Sounds like something that would happen at my mom’s house.
hehe… it was hilarious… my mom just told us very casually as well. I don’t think she realized we’d spent 15 minutes trying to find how to activate it! LOL 😃
I love it. I bet she didn’t. My mom is like that too.