Written by Today, we have some sliced onions simply because there were onions on my sandwich at lunch and it made me think of onions. I figured the sliced version would pose more of a challenge, so this little doodlewash was born. It was also a pretty cool day because the fine editors at WordPress.com featured me in their article about food illustration. Being referred to as an illustrator was neat because it’s fits me much better. I’m not really a painter, I just have a crazy obsession with watercolors. Last July, when I started using watercolors for the first time, I wanted to join in with others and started to seek out watercolor groups. I didn’t fit into any one set of “rules” and found it confusing to know which art to post to which group on which day. So, I decided to start my own little community called Doodlewash, that simply celebrated the medium without restricting people on how they could use it. Honestly, it’s just easier that way… if it has some watercolor or gouache in it, then it’s a doodlewash! Post it and be happy!
After I founded World Watercolor Month, I started a Facebook Group based on this same simple principle. And the effect was more incredible than I could ever imagine! It’s an amazing and supportive global community that’s formed, with people happily posting whatever style of watercolor they felt like painting that day. The sheer variety is so inspiring and I love browsing through all the beautiful unique work. I think we are on to something awesome here, so I’m happy to announce that as we head into August, Doodlewash will continue to host the group as World Watercolor Group! So, if you haven’t joined, you should really check it out. Everyone who loves to paint, sketch and play with watercolors is welcome. I lead the group based on the simple little Manifesto I created a year ago today.
I don’t think the Doodlewash mindset is for everyone any more than I believe there’s only one way to paint. But if, like me, you just love watercolor and enjoy the freedom of using it however you like, then you just might be a doodlewasher. Welcome to the family! Can’t wait to see what you’ll make next!
Join us for World Watercolor Month in July! Click here to learn more!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Burnt Sienna, Permanent Pale Green, Quinacridone Gold, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.
Another honor! you are moving up the ranks Charlie…your onions look smashing 🙂
I don’t know what the ranks even are! lol Just always nice when someone likes your work! Like you…just now!! Hehe! Thanks so much, Margaret!! Glad ya liked this one! 😃💕
So clever of you to slice that onion up. Looks great!
Wonderful news also on keeping the World Watercolor group going. It’s so inspiring to see how talented people are.
Thanks Teri!! 😃💕Did it make you cry?! Hehe And yay to the group! It made me actually enjoy Facebook again! Hope people stick around after the month is over!
You do have an eye for the details of food. You caught the skin perfectly! And congrats on the success of this venture. Resounding! (K)
Awww thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 It was nice to be the one featured! And glad you like my onion… my eye for detail comes from my obsession with food. Best to paint it and not eat it all though! 😊hehe
That’s true.
Love the way you have included the onion rings. They provide movement. And there is contrast between the looseness of the rings and the regular stripyness of the onion skin. A lovely portrait of onions. The knife helps to tell a story…I think this is correct – there is a lot said about ‘telling a story’ in a painting. So I think the knife is telling a story? That dinner is on its way. I can smell the onions softening on the stove.
Now you’re just making me hungry!! Hehe… Love that story! It’s true if you read it! Thanks so much! So happy you liked my doodlewash!! 😃
I didn’t read it…your picture told the story.
I am on a hiatus from art, and I am not sure if I am going to do anymore watercolors or not. I love the medium, however, and I love your style. I hope you don’t mind if I stop in and enjoy your art.
Thanks so much for stopping by! 😃 glad you like my work! And hope it will entice you to break your hiatus and get back to watercolors! 😉 hehe It’s so fun!!
I know you speak the truth! I will keep your kind words in mind. I DO want to paint again. Thanks!
Beautiful Charlie, but my eyes are tearing from the onions, hehe. Congratulation on the WordPress article, you deserve the recognition.
Thanks so much, Sharon!! 😃💕 And what a wonderful compliment!! Hehe Glad y liked this one!
Congrats, Charlie! Just think how much good you have created in the last year, and what a wonderful doodlewash family you have blended; I am so happy to be a member! Your onions are sweet and delicious looking, Mr. Illustrator! 🍾🎉🎈💖
Hehe! Thanks, Carol!! 😃💕So glad you liked my onions! And I love our blended family!! Glad you’re a part of it! It’s like the Brady Bunch, only with watercolor artists… and more diversity … and I guess no maid named Alice, so yeah…really nothing like that at all. But still super cool!! Loving it! ❤️
That’s a great news! Congratulations Charlie 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 about today’s illustration it’s fabulous 🎨😍😍
Awww thanks so much, Snehal!! 😃💕 Thrilled you liked this one! Took a little extra time… so I posted late. 😊hehe
Yeah i can see the detail amount of work thats what it took extra time! very well done!
Really really good. You are so talented, I love your onions. One day I will try watercolours, but living on a boat it’s not easy to manage them, so I’ll stick to pencils and ink pen.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 So glad you liked it! And watercolours are perfect for life on a boat! Mess free and compact! You should get a small travel set and try doodlewashing some of those ink sketches! hehe
Wonderful again Charlie. I for one and no doubt many more will agree are thankful for you and your ingenious doodlewash. No need to say more. XX
Awww thanks so much, Susan! I’m just super thrilled you’re part of the family! 😃💕
Oh, tissue please, my eyes are streaming, infact I am crying……crying out, this is onion fantastic, those rings are superb, and the colour on the onion skin. This is in the tops of some of your work for me.
Awww you’re so sweet! Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕I had a tiny bit more time on this one which makes all the difference. Well… for letting a layer actually dry for once! Lol 😊
Time is always good, freedom to choose, rather than rush….my tears have cleared, but I am still crying out ‘ this is fabulous’
Congratulations on being featured! Next the book deal, then the film of the book…..
Awww thanks so much, Liz! 😃💕And lol… I don’t even know what the book would be, but the movie would probably be pretty interesting of it!
Wow, the onions you illustrated 🙂 are great! But the knife is smashing! Love the steel feel 🙂
Thanks so much! 😃 Yeah… just can’t help putting something shiny in there! hehe
wow beautiful watercolors onions! <3 😉
Awww thanks, Carolina! 😃💕 Glad you liked them!
_(”)_(*_*)_(”)____lol
Congratulations Charlie and boy they chose a good one because your food work is smashing stuff. Really mouth-watering, way to go, guy. 💜
Aww thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 You called it early by saying food was my thing! hehe… guess it is!
It’s one of your more obvious things. You have many!!!
good one
Thanks!
Awesome illustration! And congrats on being featured as a food illustrator. Love the way you arranged the slices, the whole onions and the knife. Like Sharon Mann, my eyes are starting to water. I could only attempt to paint onion slices if they were at least a day old. I don’t usually use Facebook, but as a member of the WWM FB group I get e-mails now and then about new paintings posted. Really neat to see all the different paintings. So many styles! 🙂
Awww thanks so much, Myriam! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one… I was pleased with how it turned out! And Yay to WWM FB group… it’s soooo cool! So thrilled you’re part of it!
Sweet! Onions and feature, Charlie!! YAYZA for you! Congrats my friend!! Well-deserved too! ❤️🎨😄🌟🌈😂
Awww thanks so much Jill! 😃💕So sorry I missed Weird Bird Wednesday (caught it today though!! hehe)… been crazy this month! Glad ya liked my onions… I liked how these turned out! 😍
No worries, Charlie! 😍
Layers of joy! So much so, I’m sure I ought to be welling up! 😉 This is fantastic – the texture of skin and the extra crisp details… it’s like you’ve gone to the next level here (another level up!?!) in precision. Mind-blowing.
And how fabulous to see you on the WordPress article, commanding the header too! Go you!
Awww thanks so much, Jacob! 😃💕It’s really just all that cheering me on that you all do. lol Without it I’d probably just sit in the corner eating food instead of painting it. Which would not be very pretty! haha
A Doodlewash is about the only way I can take raw onions. The scent makes me choke and the flavor makes me gag. Well cooked in soup or stew, the occasional fried ring, if done correctly, are perfectly palatable, but raw – ugh!
So, on this lovely note, I continue my comments:
Your painting is, once more, extraordinary. The lovely shine on the onion skin, the bit of sienna (?) reflected on the knife blade, the translucent slices create a charming painting.
And now you’ve been honored as an illustrator by WordPress. Well deserved, Charlie. I hope it brings you more attention as you bring such visual joy to so many.
This site is such a pleasure to open every day. Always a surprise, always some insight into ordinary worlds made special with a dab of paint, a dash of line, a soft shadow. What better use of paper has mankind?
OK, getting a bit mushy here – really, I do like this blog.
Awww Sharon! You always make my day with your comments!! And make me blush! hehe! Thanks so much my friend! 😊😃💕It really means a lot to me that you like my little passion project so much. It’s been tough to keep up with everything this month. Thrilled you’re enjoying it!!
loving your food watercolor illustrations, very nice!
Thanks! 😃💕I really love painting food… and well… totally love eating food so that’s probably part of it! lol
YAY !!! I couldn’t be happier!!!! So grateful you started this!
Awwww Karin, I couldn’t be happier that you’re part of this and part of the family!! So thrilled to have met you! 😃💕
i never know that there’s world watercolor month 🙁 what a shame 🙁 love you illustration and color scheme! i also illustrate some foods in https://andietafoodjourney.wordpress.com/2016/10/15/indonesian-food-fun-fact-2-bacang-kwecang-and-caicang/ 😀
This was the first year for it! But it will be back again next July! There’s a World Watercolor Group that spun off from it as well. We still do monthly art challenges. Your illustrations are delicious!! Really nice work!! 😃💕
It’s fun to go back and read your older posts – congrats on the feature in WordPress. Your onions are so well done, that I’ve almost got tears in my eyes!
hehe… thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 You know… even I haven’t gone back to read my older posts. It will be fun to go back and look at them one day.
I really enjoy your style.
Thanks so much, Crystal! 😃💕