Written by Hello! I hope everyone is having a beautiful and creative August! I’m popping in for our prompt of “Tennis,” with this little sketch of a beagle about to catch a tennis ball. This was the first thing that came to mind as it’s my only real interaction with tennis balls. I’m not really good at sports of any kind, but did play tennis with a friend in high school long enough to confirm that I’m equally terrible at that sport as well. The thing is, despite my complete lack of prowess, it was still super fun! I feel that way on some days when what I’m creating in my sketchbook fails to turn out as well as I’d hoped. Then, I just have to giggle and remind myself that a sketchbook is simply a playground. And when you’re playing for fun, there’s absolutely no way to do something incorrectly. Indeed, I find that the bolder and sillier my attempts are in my sketchbook, the more often they transform into some of the sketches I like most.
When I’m not posting daily, you’ll still find me sketching and making artistic things each and every day. It’s a habit that I’ll never be able to shake, and it’s so fun that I’d never want to stop now! I’m still sketching on my iPad as well, which is surprisingly more fun than I expected, and just playing and experimenting with whatever materials are lying about. I adore watercolor most, of course, but it’s been fun to explore all sorts of different mediums as well. What I’ve learned about myself on this art journey is that I love stories and ideas most! I adore coming up with crazy new concepts and then chasing them through to completion. Creativity is where I find my home and my comfort, however that manifests itself. And, as many of you know, when my inner child comes out to play, just about anything at all can happen!
Our dog Phineas used to play fetch with a tennis ball when he was younger, but these days he’s just not interested. The transition was rather humorous as Philippe and I had to start fetching the ball instead in order to keep the game going. Once Phineas had us properly trained, he seemed satisfied with that and the tennis ball never made another appearance. Now we have a treat ball, which is of course, way more interesting as most things are when they come paired with immediate gratification. And though I have a ton of projects I’m currently working on at the moment, I’m taking my usual breather in August and building in more time for pure relaxation. By this, I mean doing the unthinkable and letting my brain rest for a bit while focusing on pure play. And, though this doesn’t mean I’ll be signing up for any sports programs anytime soon, it does mean that I’m thoroughly enjoying this game of life. There are wonderful things coming in the future and lots of challenges I plan to throw at myself, but in this moment, I’m just happy to be catching the ball.
Wanna Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My New Interactive Picture Book Series!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Leaf Green, Opus (Vivid Pink), Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise, Phthalo Blue, and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black 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! |
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What an adorable sketch! Good for you Charlie for taking a little down time. I believe we would have a happier, healthier world if more people followed that example. Enjoy!
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Yay for down time… it’s a secret ingredient of every creative process!
Looks like Phineas enjoyed those games of catch as a younger pup, as we all did when we were younger! You’ve captured him well. And it’s a great idea to take some time for holiday – we could learn a lot from our European friends on the proper use of time in August. Chill out, brother!
Thanks so much, Bob! 😃💕 My sketches end up with a Phineas face and beagle ears, because they’re longer and I think they’re super fun! lol And yay for chilling out in August!!
Wonderful! Love this one, Charlie!
OMG I absolutely love that thought that the sketchbook is my playground. What a super awesome way to think about it. Have fun and love everything I do just like a kid right Charlie?! Just have fun. Now that’s something I can work with 😉 LOL This is the safest and best community ever and I can’t wait to get back here 😉
I love Charlie’s sketchbook is my playground announcement too!
Yay! Let’s all go to the sketchbook playground every day! 🙂
Aww yay! I’m so happy to hear that, Zoie! 😃💕 And yep… a sketchbook is a playground! Just let your inner child out to play and open that next page on a new adventure! Results may vary, as mine always do, but it’s so much FUN!!!
Great winning atty-tude Charlie!!! Make sure the inner kiddo has lots of fun.
Hola, Linda! I hope you’re enjoying the last of your Summer. 💜 We are finally toasty after a wonderfully cool and rainy May-July. Warm hugs.
Hi Marisela, We had first peek of fall a couple days ago where the trees look to say we’re done. Yesterday too on a walk I felt the stillness only new fall can bring, and the mellowness. However we have another heat wave but reaching only 37C instead of 47.9 (118 F), and lots of fires burning. Firefighters came from Mexico to help out, bless them. Fall peeks in and then naps for a few weeks so we have summer but it’s broken. Stay well and enjoy the toasty!
Thanks so much! 😃💕 I never go anywhere without my inner child! hehe
Charlie, mi amigo! I thought of you today. I hope you guys are keeping cool with that heat wave you have going. 💜 Now, you KNOW who I thought of when I saw your super cute painting. MY GORDO! He’s even naked like him! Shamelessly naked and playing ball. 😂😂😂 Those flying ears reminded me of when he would “fly” through the air when we would play catch. We always got him those super bouncy balls. It was so funny, Charlie. We would play for up to an hour. Just before he passed (at 14 years old), we played one last time. I was surprised that he wanted to play. It was like a last hoorah. 💕 Such a sweet painting because it comes with sweet memories of who I still love so much. MY GORDO! My Monster, my love, my nudist. Thanks, Charlie. 💕
I miss you every day, but so happy that you sound so happy and excited. You sound like you’re enjoying the last of Summer, which also means someone is turning another year older soon! NOOOO! Why, God, why? 😂😂😂
Sending you hugs. One for every day missed. 💜💜💜
Aww Yay! This one is dedicated to your lovely little nudist! lol 😃💕 Dogs are only with us for a brief moment in time, but they leave the most wonderful memories that last forever! And yes, it’s hot as heck here, but we’re hiding indoors so it’s not too bad! hehe
Marisela, Another year older means God is letting us have that. He doesn’t have to do that so CELEBRATE!!
I’ve never been interested in sports either, and I think I would have enjoyed them more if people didn’t get so uptight about winning!
Hehe! I agree! I’ve never really cared about winning… it’s a fleeting thing. Once you win, what’s next anyway? I far prefer to simply play the game! 😃💕
Great action doodle, Charlie.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
Hello Charlie,
It’s SO good to see your post! 🙂 🙂 The puppy looks completely happy to be playing ball. I’ve never been into sports either and no matter how many people went out of their way to make me feel lesser over it, I somehow couldn’t bring myself to care. I was too happy in my world of books, papers, glue, scissors and crayons. And it remains the same today. So I agree that play is play regardless of whether on a court or sketchbook. 🙂
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 Yeah, I far prefer a world filled with those things. I’ll leave sports to those more inclined. And, I just adore making new things, without rules… that’s where I always find the most fun!
This sketch is great! It has the feel of a stop-action sports photograph.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 This was cobbled together from lots of references so I sort of just hoped it looked like a dog in the end. hehe… glad you enjoyed it!
It does!
By the way, my 3 year old granddaughter adores “One Little Mouse.” The week I gave it to her, she asked me to read it (and draw in the pictures) at least three times.
Oh my goodness!! You just made my day!! 😃💕 That makes so happy to hear!! I’m not one to follow rules or methods, but I hoped my not-playing-by-the-rulebook idea would be super fun. I’m thrilled she enjoyed it!! So, shameless plug, book 2 is One Little Dog if she runs out of pages. hehe 😉 ❤️
I was surprised that you wrote the book in rhyme. But in the end, it was the rhyming narrative that made your story soothing bedtime reading.
Aww that’s wonderful to hear! 😃Yeah, I wanted to try something different and rhyme seemed to fit this particular idea best! Glad you enjoyed it!
Just discovered your blog and website. Love it! Mind if I share/reblog sometime?
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Thrilled you enjoy it! You’re welcome to share by linking to any story you like here!
Thanks so much!
Clicking the share link today. Thanks again!