Day 1: #WorldWatercolorMonth

Quick Doodlewash and watercolor sketch of Lightbulb

Today was amazingly awesome and super busy as an incredible amount of artists from around the world joined in for the very first day of World Watercolor Month! I’m so thrilled that so many people have come together to paint the world with watercolors in July (as I type this there are almost 2,300 members in our Facebook Group and more coming all the time!). In my incredible excitement and enthusiasm I didn’t know what to doodlewash for today. I’m not working with a theme, so I realized the thrill of the day was overwhelming me and I didn’t even know what to start with. I didn’t have an idea. No light bulb over my head… hey… a lightbulb! Yeah… that’s pretty much how my mind works.

I did this one very quickly in the less than 30 minutes that I had today and I have to say it felt good to just play! Lightning quick pencil contour and then jumping in with a fast ink sketch followed by a watercolor attack, while drinking a glass of champagne! No waiting for anything to dry properly, just going for it and having a blast! This is the joy that made me become addicted to watercolor in the first place last July. I love splashing color down and wondering what the heck you’ll get when it dries. If I had the time I could have made this more realistic. I’d normally try. But not today. Today, I stopped and was just happy in the doing.

That’s the spirit of this fabulous month of watercolors. Just play, post, and enjoy! Nothing has to masterful, but when it happens, and it will, yay you! I can’t think of a better way to spend July. And I’m thrilled to be spending it with all you! 

Join us for World Watercolor Month in July! Click here to learn more! 


About the Doodlewash

M. Graham watercolors: Cobalt Teal, Azo Orange, Quinacridone Gold, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.

Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in By Charlie
53 Comments
  1. debiriley 7 years ago

    “I stopped and was just Happy In The Doing.” ……… Charlie, what magical words those are!! and Empowering!
    your lightbulb mind runs a lot like mine seems to, apparently.lol. love the doodlewash.
    And, I was magnetized – by its reflection you created!!! the soft hints, and inferences, delicacy, Superb lead in…. were WOW! A question Charlie. I may not be ‘tagging’ right? please check. Am I suppose to TITLE these world watercolor month !? or can i create my own titles? thank you.

    • Author

      Thanks so much, Debi!! 😃💕 Almost wasn’t able to make a post, which would be weird when you just challenged the world to join you! 😊lol Just put #WorldWatercolorMonth in your tags for the post! That’s all I’m linking to. I actually can’t search it if it’s just in the title! I’m just putting it in my titles to keep spreading the word! 😉

      • debiriley 7 years ago

        that Would have been sad Charlie!!
        so, I think I did the tag thing right then.

  2. Teri C 7 years ago

    That reflection is awesome! I wondered how you would find time to sketch on this busy crazy day. It’s been fun.

    • Author

      Aww thanks, Teri! 😃💕I barely had time! 😊Such a cool day though… it’s amazing to see the wonderful reaction and all the awesome art!!

  3. Jessica Seacrest 7 years ago

    It’s been a super fun day, everyone’s enthusiasm has been amazing! It’s been so wonderful seeing all the images coming in! Enjoy your champagne, well deserved Charlie! What a light you are!

    • Author

      Awww thanks, Jessica! 😃💕It’s soooo cool isn’t it? We’ve got something wonderful here! Thanks so much for your help in moderating the FB group!

  4. memadtwo 7 years ago

    These lightbulbs may be antiques soon…but so much prettier than the energy saving ones. Great reflection! (K)

  5. Teresa Robeson 7 years ago

    Painting with champagne in hand is the best way to paint! Awesome depiction of glass, by the way. <3 Why do I want to shout Eureka when I look at it? I'm mixing metaphors and stories, I think. LOL!

    • Author

      Hehe! Eureka works fine! Thanks so much, Teresa! 😃💕It was fun to celebrate and yeah… definitely a fun way to paint! lol

  6. Cathe 7 years ago

    What a brilliant light you are Charlie! I’m so excited for July and water coloring! Here we go!

  7. anniedrawsthings 7 years ago

    Love the sketch and the sentiment behind it. So ready to play with watercolor this month and see everyone’s work!

    • Author

      Thanks Annie! 😃💕It’s been so cool to see everyone’s work! Some overwhelming talent… even folks who say they’re trying watercolors for the first time!

  8. zuzala 7 years ago

    Perfect C, just perfect.

  9. Jacob 7 years ago

    It’s the light you’re switching on in the minds of over two thousand people (that really is an army, you can’t be modest about this anymore! Think of that number actually in front of you – wow!) Awesome stuff and in a ridiculously short amount of time, as well. I too am enjoying the reflection very much!

    • Author

      Awww thanks, Jacob! 😃Glad ya liked this! It is cool to see how excited everything is and how the movement is growing! Centering around the medium instead of how to paint is cool because the work is so diverse! It’s awesome to click through the various social sites and see everything. Which is what I keep doing…. but I should actually be painting myself now! 😊

      • Jacob 7 years ago

        Haha, indeed you should! Think of the scandal if the king of Watercolour Month was found not painting! 😉

        • Author

          Yeah… I think the outcry would definitely involve torches and pitchforks! 😊

          • Jacob 7 years ago

            Haha! Or at the very least, angrily expressive doodlewashes of such things!

  10. artandmoondreams 7 years ago

    Wonderful way to start the July adventure, a beautiful painting of a glass light bulb and drinking champagne…I knew I forgot something from my painting supplies…the champagne! Cheers Charlie ;D

    • Author

      Awww thanks so much, Haunani! 😃💕Yeah… that’s another little mentioned but very wonderful painting supply! Lol I highly recommend it!

  11. Jill Kuhn 7 years ago

    Sounds like you had a lightbulb moment to me! 😉 Such JOY in creating is what art is all about! YAY Charlie! 🌟😍🎨💕✨

  12. GeorgieMoon 7 years ago

    Oh my goodness, you are so clever to make something like a lightbulb into a beautiful Doodlewash. I love it.

  13. Snehal Kank 7 years ago

    Woow! I was waiting for your post, thinking what will be Charlie’s sketch today and here you go! Just in 30 mints! Awesome, loved the transparency and reflection too👍🏼

    • Author

      Thanks so much, Snehal! 😃💕Lol… I was really wondering how I was going to sneak in my post with all the frenzy. So glad you liked it!

  14. M. L. Kappa 7 years ago

    It all started with a bang! You’re so good at inspiring people. Nice lightbulb, fireworks next!!!

    • Author

      Aww thanks so much, Marina! 😃💕 Yeah… the reaction has been wonderful! So thrilled people are as excited as I am!! I thought of fireworks, but still haven’t figured out how I’d paint that. Maybe by Day 31! Lol

  15. vrushali21 7 years ago

    Awesome! The reflection is just perfect!

  16. […] Also take a look at Charlie O’Shields Day 1 here. […]

  17. Genius, light bulb moment, you bright shining light to the world 😀

  18. Tom Merriman 7 years ago

    Nice reflection, Charlie! Pity it wasn’t last month now, though, as that was my monthly theme; ‘Reflection’! And here’s to many more lightbulb moments this month! 😀

    • Author

      Thanks so much Tom! 😃Yeah… I missed it by a day! I actually how no idea I’d end up painting this, so there was nothing to plan! Lol

  19. […] excitement of people all over the world participating in Charlie of Doodlewash‘s #WorldWatercolorMonth is so contagious. I am happy to be part of this. Thank you […]

  20. Jui 7 years ago

    this is impeccable! simply awesome!

  21. Beautifully done, and Congratulations, my friend! All your hard work is paying off! Really impressed with this beautiful painting, my friend! 😘🙇🎨😍❤️

    • Author

      awww thanks, Laura! 😃💕I kind of enjoyed the slap dash rush approach… or maybe it was just the champagne. 😊Either way… super fun to doodlewash! So excited for this month!!!

  22. Jodi 7 years ago

    Love it. Champagne light bulb!

  23. grlie 7 years ago

    I really love that it’s a bit wonky 😁. Charming!

  24. maurosalgado 7 years ago

    Gorgeus!

  25. Sophia Stevenson 7 years ago

    Reblogged this on Four frames art & photography and commented:
    Ooooh, so fun!!!!

  26. JB 7 years ago

    Reblogged this on Just a Little Magic and commented:
    Damn I wish I have this kind of talent. I obviously love all your sketches!

  27. Sharon Bonin-Pratt 7 years ago

    Fabulous attitude about art, Charlie, one to carry over to everything in life. An attractive light bulb as well.

  28. Toad | A Certain Line 7 years ago

    […] I know many of you have been busily producing daily watercolours for World Watercolour Month, a wonderful initiative by the tireless Charlie O’Shields. […]

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