Written by Today, we have a quick little doodlewash of this Velocifero Scooter, because I’ve always wanted a scooter and happened to be thinking of them. Saying, “I’ve always wanted one” means that I like the idea of them and think they look cool. It’s most likely a side effect of all those people you see in movies, riding them down some narrow street in Italy, effortlessly zooming past ancient fountains and making the entire experience seem magical. That said, the idea of actually being exposed to the elements for any length of time while moving at a speed any faster than walking isn’t super enticing for me. So, as is the case with many dreams, I’ll simply leave them in my sketchbook.
When I was in college, one of my good friends owned a motorcycle. I thought it would be cool to ride with her and so one day I hopped on the back and we took a little drive. It was absolutely wonderful. An early morning trip that was met with watching the sun rise. Not because we were “morning people” but because, like most college students, we simply hadn’t slept all night and were bored with studying. Later though, when my car broke down 30 minutes from my home, she came to rescue me on that same motorcycle. This time, we were zooming down the freeway at a much less leisurely speed and the lack of windshield meant my face was being pelted with bugs, who had somehow transformed themselves into tiny bullets. All of the magic disappeared.
I love to fantasize about things, and I realize as I get older than oftentimes the fantasy is much better than the reality. It’s fun to put the idea of something on paper as though you’ve just made a major purchase. For the price of just a little paint and some ink, I can finally have my little scooter. And all without the danger of being caught out in the rain on it. I often work from photo references because of this. I don’t want to simply paint what’s within reach. Sometimes I just want to explore what’s on my mind. Walking through a world of ideas and images that I may never meet in person, but can at least capture in the pages of my trusty little sketchbook.
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About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Cobalt Teal, Permanent Green Pale, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, and Azo Orange. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.
safer to fantasize with a painting, right? love the color and that shadow is very, very cool 🙂
Yes! Paintings are always safest! Hehe…so glad you liked this Margaret! Decided to play a bit more with colors in my shadows. 😃💕
I used to like riding my sister’s motorcycle until I fell in gravel going very slowly and ripped a brand new pair of jeans. That was enough for me! 😉 I love the colors on your scooter, Charlie and it does look like it would be fun to drive! ❤️😄🎨
Awww thanks so much Jill! 😃💕And yikes on the jeans! Yeah, that wouldn’t leave a very positive impression! Lol They look cool, but I think I’d rip more than jeans if I had one. 😊hehe
So cool!! I can visualize riding a Vespa. Some romantic idea from the movies too. Since I don’t even drive it is definitely just a dream. All fun. 🙂
Hehe! Yeah…dreams are the coolest aren’t they? 😉So glad you liked this one, Susan! 😃💕
Wonderful,little painting and yes, much safer on this one.
Thanks so much, Teri! 😃💕
a fun painting dream/fantasy – and an amazing doodlewash!!! I’m with you – more adventurous with the paint brush than in real life 🙂
Nothing wrong with that I think! That’s why I call these little months of painting adventures! It’s as close to a real one as il get. I’m not as daring when my life is at stake! Lol Thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕
That’s what imagination is for–you can’t be disappointed! I was just noting the other day how boring car colors are these days…this would spice up the roads! (K)
So true Kerfe! 😃💕On all of it…car colors have gotten really dull. Every once in awhile I see a different one…but it’s just a weird color and not super cool. Hehe
I love your scooter, Charlie and you picked the perfect color. Have fun rides in your dreams!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕It was almost Cobalt Teal, but then it decided it wanted so green. Hehe
Another great work Charlie! Yeah I’ve one back in India, I used to go to office by my two wheeler 😀 I always wanted to ride Vespa! I love it’s style 😍
awww thanks Snehal! 😃💕And cool that you had one! They look like a lot of fun!
This looks so much like Italy I can almost smell the exhaust fumes from several scooters in hot summer air:-]]] I’ve been riding a scooter once (in Italy) and didn’t like it so much, a motorcycle is much more fun… to me;-)
Yeah… they seem super cool but I’ve just never gotten into riding them. Cool you’re into motorcycles though! I didn’t know that! 😉
Ah, what dreams we may paint, we may own.
I’m not a motorcycle or scooter fan, but my own college experience was also a bit scary. Started with me being a bit un-sober and taking a ride on the back of a big machine. When I felt like flying and stuck my arms out to feel the wind, the driver slowed to nearly a halt. I guess he thought I’d take off. Or fall off. I always remember that night as one of elation and fearlessness. A bit of reckless stupidity as well.
Your Doodlewash is wonderful.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 And wow… that was a memorable night. Good thing you survived it! But I do prefer the term “un-sober” rather than the others to describe a lot of evenings during my college years. 😊Lol
Like Susan and Snehal, I also call this a Vespa. Cool color! And now even Italians have to wear helmets, I suppose, so it looks a loss less romantic when they whizz past the ancient fountains…
Yeah it totally looks likes one… the reference photo I used had “Velocifero” on the hub and I looked it up and appeared to be a different brand. Though shockingly similar! Hehe… and helmets made everything more safe, but less cool. Even bicycling. 😉
Nothing looks cooler than someone zipping around the back streets of Rome in a 1960s film on something like this. Another great painting, Charlie.
I know, right?? Hehe… thanks so much Michael! Glad ya liked this one! 😃
I like the idea of no buy, just paint, that reminds me of the story, a lady bird book ‘ read it yourself’ called ‘the magic paintbrush’ I used to love that book. Great little fantasy scooter Charlie, and I agree the idea of riding one is better than the reality, I would be scared to control such a cute beast of mechanical power, lol
Thanks, Rebecca!😃💕 Yeah… I’m always just a bit terrified on these so it’s really hard to look cool! Lol Imagination is definitely safer. hehe
Nicely said and superbly sketched.
Aww thanks so much, Cheryl!! 😃💕
Wow, another great sketch and your colors have become even more shazam!!! Gorgeous !
Thanks Laura! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m trying to play with color more this month. So I’m glad you’re liking it!
I really am liking it, very much, Charlie. <3
Love this one. Always wanted one.
JP
Aww thanks JP! 😃Yeah… I still think about getting one but I know I’d just be scared of it all the time. Lol
This is so cool! Fantasy or not, you charging around the city on this spearmint beast – so much love for that colour! – would turn some envious heads, I’m sure! With Phineas on the back, perhaps, in helmet and goggles? 😛 Adorable. I would like one just to show off to the neighbours, but I doubt it’d get ridden much. I wouldn’t trust myself on much more than a push scooter!
Thanks Jacob! Haha! Now I’m just imagining Phineas in a helmet and goggles and it’s pretty cute. One day I’ll have to paint him like that to see. But yeah… he’d probably be better at riding it than either of us! Lol
Eee… please please do! <3
You’re right, Charlie, fantasy is far better than reality in a lot of things. I spend half of my time in an imaginary world, and the other half goodness knows where! It’s all good! 😀 Fab scooter, by the way.
Hehe… goodness knows where is where I spend a lot of time as well! Lol Thanks so much, Tom! Glad you liked this! 😃
Great looking scooter, love the color and the detail. Delightful how a single image can conjure all sorts of thoughts filled with Italian movies, Roman fountains, and…pasta! Your paintings are doorways to all sorts of journeys…thank you for sharing.
Awww what a wonderful thing to say!! 😊😃💕Thanks so much for that, Haunani!
Yay, Charlie…your first Vespa!! Love the glowing green. My one and only ride on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle was with my late brother. I also had no helmet, just my sunglasses. No bugs, but my eyes were streaming! :bemused:
Awww thanks, Janina! 😃💕 Sounds like a fun memory, even with steaming eyes! Definitely worth trying at least once.