Written by Today we have a very open-ended prompt of “casting shadows” that could truly be just about anything you like. I had less than 30 minutes and so I chose one of the things I really like to paint, which is glass. I’m perfectly fascinated by all the weird shapes and lines that appear in glass and though the idea of painting it once frightened me, I now find it really fun! I don’t look at the glass itself when I paint it, but instead, stare at all the lines and shapes inside the glass. This is really all that I end up painting, ignoring everything else, including my perceived notion of what shape a glass ought to take. So, even a quick little doodlewash like this one can appear rather glass-like, and with some fast and admittedly clumsy lunges with a paper towel to lift up running paint, we can sneak a bit of highlights into the shadows. I know that more careful study and extending a painting like this into the wee hours of the morning would produce something more elegant, but I never have the time or patience so I just sort of attack the paper with a paper towel in hand and hope for the best. For me, it’s the most fun. And if it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t come back to it each and every day like I have now for over three years. So I say, find your fun!
When I first started painting, I was bound and determined to learn all of the proper techniques. I tried all of the various approaches presented by all of the various masters and I learned a ton in the process. But, then, I sort of derailed a bit. I began to sketch stuff, not scenes and landscapes, and I splashed my watercolors around in a way that started to feel right for me. I’m not even sure yet if I’ve developed my “style,” that coveted unique approach that artists seek, as I think I’m still happily in search of it. And there are many days, when I have no idea what I’m going to make until the very last moment, like today. I love these days because they’re a complete surprise to even me. I think earlier today, I was planning on painting a piece of fruit of some kind, and then a glass appeared instead when the time came to sit down and sketch. While I do think that planning a large painting is the most important part of the process, when it comes to a bit of little daily practice, I’ve found it’s best to let your mind wander a bit. And that little daily practice is still all I’m actually showing up to share. It’s still all I DO really.
Yet, perhaps, even my daily practice can count as art, as can yours. Making something new is a grand and wonderful thing that deserves to be shared and enjoyed by others. Some days, I might end up with something that’s extraordinary, in spite of my usual reckless approach. Other days, I’ll make something that leaves folks scratching their heads and wondering why on earth that image appeared. Either way, I’m always happy. That’s what art does when it’s at its best. It makes us ask ourselves questions. We aren’t questioning the art so much as our own individual perceptions and the mental journey that begins after that is a fascinating one to me. As humans, we will always seek to find a connection of some kind, a bit of light in the shadow that we can connect with our own experiences. And the artist, serves up life in just a bit of line and paint, forming a piece of the world through their own eyes, blending a palette of their own chosen colors while casting shadows.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Benzimida Orange, Quinacridone Red, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia 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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quarter empty
Or three quarters full… hehe 😉
Your ability to see and paint cast shadows is amazing, Charlie. So many colors and subtleties.
Aww thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 So thrilled you enjoyed this!
Wow, those shadows are really cool, Charlie!!! Well done! 🙂
Aww thanks so much, Carsten! 😃💕 So glad you liked this one!
I’m in love with those shadows. So beautiful
Thanks so much, Eliska! 😃💕 I really appreciate it!
This is excellent! I love your colorful shadows!
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕
Pretty glass. You do such great glass art. I think if you draw something it’s art. Who would have ever thought Picasso would become such a great artist drawing people with uneven eyes. Had he taken classes to straighten those eyes he may never have become so famous. Classes are wonderful but
It’s all the different ways people see things that makes art so interesting. I love it when you have a group of people draw the same thing and they all look different. It’s like handwriting. You can teach someone penmanship but we all have different
styles of writing the letters. I think it’s art too.
Thanks, June! 😃💕I totally agree! The hand of the artist always shines through! It’s such a beautiful thing to behold!
I really truly love the way you paint glass and shadows !It’s amazing. I, personally think people make a mistake when they ‘search’ for a style. I think it is there from the beginning, and the trick is recognizing what it is instead of trying to force it to be something else.
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, I think in the end, it’s not an act of finding our style, because we really can’t ever escape it in the first place. 😉
Amazing glass n really
i liked the shade. thanks
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕
I love the double shadows. That is a beautiful little painting.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this one!
Beautiful glass and Amazing cast shadow.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕
Another gorgeous,shiney doodlewash. What a beautiful, rainbow of a shadow. If more of us saw life in such light, rather than dark shadows, the world would be a much better place. Thank you again Charlie for sharing that perspective.
Thanks, Laura! 😃💕You always make me smile with your comments my friend! Thanks so much for the encouragement to show up each day!
Wow! Are you in my head? I was a little embarassed by my post today on instagram. It was a very simple, non detailed elephant head. I didn’t have much time also. I decided to use a non permanent pen, to get the lines to blur, just for something different to do. Some days we need to play. One of these days, I want to try painting water like this. It always fascinates me to see others do it and make it look real. Awesome!
Thanks so much! 😃💕 hehe… the simplest ones are always the best! And playing and having a blast is what it’s really all about. The moment we stop having fun is the moment it all ceases to make any sense at all. So have FUN! Enjoy and celebrate each little splash of paint. It’s always beautiful!
I really love all the lines and shadows in your piece today! It is so well done. A masterpiece!
Thanks so much, Victoria! 😃💕 What a beautiful comment to receive! I really appreciate it!
More beautiful shadows and reflections. Watercolor is the perfect medium for it too. (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 Yeah, watercolor was just made for shadows!
Glasses are really very fascinating. I love how it bends the light. The painting is so pretty! I’ve never tried using those colours for glasses and their shadows. I learn a little something from each of your posts
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕 I’m so happy you liked this! And I always hope to inspire a bit and share each day. So happy you feel you’re learning a little something from these posts!