Written by This is the doodlewash version of a crazy complex sketch I tried for #DrawingAugust of the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. Apparently, this is what I get for saying I love hard lines, as there are about 1 million lines in this particular structure. I sketched this from a photo I took in Paris, the first time Philippe and I were there together. Also, per the request of Kirk over at Dumb Sketch Daily, I included people this time for scale. Very, very tiny people.
It was actually a much uglier day, and had just rained, but I opted for a happier sky. The Pompidou Center is gigantic and extremely complex. It’s nearly looks out of place, but if you turn around from this view, you can see a fountain with giant red lips spitting water, so perhaps it fits in just fine.
Philippe was working for much of the weeks I was there so I would often wander around Paris by myself. I wish I had been sketching at the time, as it would have been a fun way to spend the afternoon. As it was, I was taking lots of photos instead. I love photography, but now that I’ve discovered doodlewashing, I don’t think I could go back to photos as a primary medium. Though I’ll need to get looser and faster if I want to capture life as it happens.
This terrific, Charlie. I like the intricate lines as well. It’s hard to look away. And great job with the people. Wouldn’t you agree those people really set of the size of the structure. And that structure–it’s kinda unbelievable looking! Really good.
This “is” terrific. This was the year I would make no typos. Oops.
Really? You challenged yourself to that?! You are brace my friend. Hehe
Nah. I didn’t make that resolution. I was just trying to cover for being such a sloppy typist. So, no, I’m far from “brace,” which sounds like a cool thing to be.
Haha! Yeah, that what all the cool kids are saying today. (Wow…your typos are catching!)
Thanks so much Kirk!! You’re just trying to get me to say “you were right.” Lol Which, of course you WERE! Yes…people definitely add a lot to the sketch. This building is huge and wouldn’t have looked like it without them! Glad you like it! 🙂
Sounds like it was a blast to sketch.
You’re gifted, but I don’t need to tell you. You hear it every day. Beautiful sketch. Very brace x 1 million. x
Thank you so much! That’s really sweet of you to say. And you used “brace”! Yay… I was going to correct it, but I didn’t because I knew it would catch on! You’re pretty brace yourself. 😉
Thank you, and I’m holding that wonderful compliment to my heart. Enjoy your evening. x
Hehe! You as well my friend! 🙂
I love this! You did a great job on the perspective of this complex subject!
Thanks Tracy!! Appreciate that! It was crazy complex! Lol…I must be a glutton for punishment. Just wanted to see if I could do it, but part way in it got a little frustrating. Hehe…really glad you like it! 🙂
Those types of projects can definitely be tedious. I’m glad you persevered. I enjoyed seeing the results of your efforts. 🙂
Thanks!! That makes me happy 😊
I am in awe. You are so brave to choose such a complex subject and so talented to render it in such a beautiful way. Adding the figures has brought it to life. Lovely work!
Aww thanks so much Haunani! I’m glad you like it! 🙂 I have a feeling I’ll be sticking to simpler subjects for awhile. This was crazy!! Hehe (or I was crazy? Yeah, that’s probably it)
I’m so amazed at your work Charlie, you are the brace! Is that the proper injection for “brace”?
I’m so thrilled to see Paris through your eyes, you made this building so intriguing. Its so not Paris, but an eye catcher which truly is the theme of Paris!
I have a favor to ask, would you consider showing your work in stages of development? I’d love to see your process and the beautiful final painting.
I’m just so impressed with your paintings!
Thanks so much Cathe!!!😃 I meant to start showing stages….sometimes I do them so quickly I forget to take pictures. The ones this month were all sketches first that I sort just of splashed with color. All the sketches can be seen on my Twitter feed (doodlewash). But I’ll try to take some shots showing progress in the future!
As for “brace”, I’m still not sure how it’s used, but I think it’s interchangeable with brave (but bringing to mind “brace yourself, I’m going for it” and used like “She’s soooo brace!!” Or “He’s a brace one, that one.”)
For the full story you’d have to ask my iPhone autocorrect, which I’ve named Sheila. Sheila is very insistent and we’ve had a love/hate relationship over the years. For example, she used to insist that I refer to Haunani at Art & Moondreams as Haunini, but I think she was just jealous. I won’t recommend you ask my Siri, which I named Babs, as we split up weeks ago after fighting over the correct pronunciation of “thoroughly” which made me thoroughly upset, so we have parted ways. I’ve left her for male Siri who seems slightly less informed, but infinitely more patient. 😉
Siri and I broke up over a year ago, it was bad!
So instead of brace I need to replace with ace?! Charlie your are the Ace…hum you are an ace but I’m not sure I’ve worked this one out yet!
Now you’re just being as confusing as Siri!! She’s had an effect on you still! She’s evil I tell you! But cool! I’ll be the Ace! 😉
So complex, Charlie! Wow, you’re not afraid of tough subjects, are you? Love the perspective and movement in this. I don’t know why your posts sometimes miss my WP feed. I’m finding it very distressing. Doodlewash 911!!! :)))) Have a great weekend, Charlie. Hopefully another abstract will post this weekend!
Thanks so much Laura!! Yeah…I had no idea why I tackle such complex subjects. Guess I’m living part of the Doodlewash Manifesto – “Do try the hard stuff before you think you’re ready” LOL And bummer! You’re the second person who mentioned that I wasn’t showing up in their feed. Weird. Must be some sort of Anti-Doodlewash conspiracy!! Or the work of hackers! Nah…I’m not that popular yet to attract such attention. 😉
Lol I think it’s a glitchy wp thing sometimes, should resolve on its own. Wp is glitchy!! Do you have a theme set for September?
I’m going to be “Fast and Loose” in September!! This will also apply to my sketching. 😉
Lol sounds like a good goal!! Freewheeling subjects too?
Hmmm…I was also going to sketch people…sooo…that would mean? Lol
Fast, loose and just any type of subject? Kinda anything goes?
But I was thinking of portraits. So I was just imagining “fast and loose people” and wondering where I might have to go to find them! 😳
Oh lol! Are you gonna do portraits all month? Have you heard about the Sketchy app? Good for you for conquering that issue with drawing people. You really attack your goals!! I think that’s really cool.
Oh no!! I didn’t sign up for that! Lol…I just meant that portraits will be in the mix! I’m not that crazy!! I have looked at the Sketchy app…thinking of trying it!
Looking forward to your portraits! I was thinking about Sketchy too. I enjoy drawing portraits but painting them, just the thought bugs me.
I don’t enjoy either yet, so you’re one step ahead of me! Lol
Wow, this looks great!!!
Thanks so much Ann! It was a crazy one! Hehe Glad you like it! 🙂
I bet it was. So much detail! But it was worth it!!! 😊
Charlie, Somehow you’ve ‘simplified’ the place, yet rendered detail very well, with rich colours. It’s an ugly building, yet your doodle makes it an intriguing-looking place. Liked.
PS: Perhaps you could use all those photos you took to spark some doodling, especially of that red lips fountain — I’d like to see that!
Aww thanks Janina! Yeah I agree, it’s kind of an eye sore of a building so I thought it would be a fun challenge. I may try the red lips fountain if I have a shot I like! Hehe…would be another fun challenge!
Fantastic line work on a very complex subject. Ah, to be in Paris!
Thanks, Sharon!! 😃💕 This was one of my early ones! I do love Paris!