Written by And now for something completely different. I mentioned in a comment recently that I had never tried to draw a frog. So today’s doodlewash was an effort to meet that challenge head on, while still keeping in my French theme for August, of course. So meet the Corsican Painted Frog.
I decided to go with a very limited palette as the superhero color, Quinacridone Gold, can make most of the colors in this little guy. After that, I used Burnt Sienna and French Ultramarine Blue. Since he was scaly, I finished him off with a few dots of white goache and voila! Corsican Doodlewashed Frog!
This colorful dude is endemic to Corsica, France, where it is found mainly in the central part of the island. He’s also listed as “near threatened” since his species has been declining over the years. So it seems fitting that he should be the subject of a doodlewash while he’s still around. Poor little guy. Hope he and his friends manage to stick around for awhile. I think I’ll name him Doodle.
Excellent! Very nice. But please: you started with the gold, then how do you make the other colors? Do you take dabs of gold and then mix in the other bits in different trays? Is that your process? Sorry for such an elementary question! I studied philosophy not art so I don’t know nothing–and that I’m sure of.
Lol…thanks Kirk! And no worries at all, I should probably take the time to be more descriptive in my posts! So I’m not sure if this is how you’re supposed to use Quin Gold, but I water it down to get a bright yellow wash for the base, then don’t add much water to get a darker brown gold from it. Basically it moves from a reddish deep brown gold to bright saturated yellow depending on how much water you add.
I then went back with dabs of Ultramarine in the shadows and spots (when you overlay it on the Quin Gold you get a greenish tint which this frog had). I use different areas of a palette to mix the washes and often just “sort of” mix them so the colors change as I apply them. Burnt sienna and blue made the rocks around the frog in different mixes to get both brown and grayish blue. I also have a paper towel in the non-brush hand to dab up color or pull it up mostly if I don’t like what just happened. Hehe
Charlie–thanks. That’s helpful. I’m constantly trying to figure out how to mix and apply color.
I think it’s a constant learning process… I still don’t feel like I know what I’m doing, but just keep trying things anyway! 😉
Fantastic-LOVE it. You continue to surprise and delight me with this “hidden” talent! Good stuff.
Ahhh thank you so much for saying that Eric!! It means a lot to me!! 😊😃
Such a show stopper! This is a lovely “Doodle”. ;D
Thank you, Haunani!! Awwww… and Doodle the frog thanks you for using his name! Hehe 🙂
He looks like a Prince in disguise! Well done! 😊
Hehe..thanks so much Jill!!
He’s brilliant!
Awww thanks so much Nicola! I’m really glad you like him! He was really fun to doodlewash! 🙂
Do I hear a croak of happiness coming from the page? What a bright and happy drawing. Thanks for posting and the smile it brought my way.
Aww thank you Sharon!! Love to hear that it made you smile!! Mission accomplished! 🙂
This is beautiful, Charlie! How did I miss so many of your posts? I totally love this one. Wow, I hope we see some more living creatures from you. Wonderful!
Thanks Laura! Keep looking…there’s a goat! Lol…I actually do want to try more animals so there will be more! 🙂
Amazing shadow work!
Thanks Beverly!! That means a lot! I see all these great shadows out there in watercolors and keep practicing to get mine to look good! 😊hehe
He is great!
Thanks so much Yolanda! Glad you like him!
Really love this one!
Thanks Michael!! I’m really happy you do! Appreciate the feedback! 😃😃