Written by For tonight’s doodlewash, I’m back to trying to capture glass in watercolor and an attempt at a challenging subject. What’s more fun than one glass thing, but three in four colors! Would have been three colors, but the rosemary wanted some green. Painting glass is both fun and totally maddening as you have to completely forget what you’re painting and just make the shapes you see, all the while staying light enough that it doesn’t start to resemble chrome. Much more practice is needed, but that’s the fun part. Sketching and painting are a practice and the more you do it, the better you get. There’s no secret sauce, just lots of sweat and tears, until that one amazing day when you get a little magic on paper. That “one amazing day” is why we do this. And on, and on, to the next one after that.
Sometimes, I feel like I’m in rut. Like my sketches are just a bunch of things and not really something particularly intriguing, interesting, or clever. I want to sketch from life more, but can’t always get to the things I want to sketch in the precious little time I have to sketch them. I want to compose something entirely from my imagination, but often fear what the outcome will be. As I quickly type this, I’ve just finished the watercolor above while sitting at my little end of the kitchen counter. This is my art studio. My tiny little silver watercolor tin is closed now and sitting next to my keyboard. I can see my face in its reflection, and giggle at the sight of just how frantic that guy looks. If only there were more time. So many things that could be done with just a few more spare minutes in the day.
But when I look again at that frantic guy reflected in the watercolor tin, I see something else. He’s happy. Even with a horrible feeling of falling behind and way to many things to do and not enough time to do them, his life is pretty great. Each day now, he’s surrounded by the art of a thousand friends new and old. Last year at this time, he was painting alone. Today, no matter when he rushes through his little daily doodlewash, he now knows, that someone, somewhere in the world, is painting right along with him. And that’s probably why he’s smiling now. He’s lucky. And he knows we’re all lucky to have found each other and to spend whatever little time we have making something new to share. And we never have to be afraid to show what we make because we know that someone, somewhere in the world, will always be smiling back at us.
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About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Burnt Sienna, Permanent Pale Green, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.
Glass and reflections and a rosemary sprig – and totally lovely.
Awww thanks, Sharon! 😃💕Glad you liked this!
Awww! I love this post and you sharing your heart with us 🙂 Yes, you are a lucky guy and I feel lucky by knowing you and Doodlewash and all the wonderful people here, I feel encouraged in my art.
Thanks so much, Margaret!! 😃💕Lucky to have met people like you!! And you deserve to feel encouraged…your art is fabulous!!
How sweet and what a lovely event you have created. Such a challenging subject you capture so amazing and Charlie’esque! 🙂
Awww thanks so much, Jodi!! 😃❤️
Amazing, Charlie! 😊🌟❤️ That silly rosemary wanting a little green! Hehe! 💚
Hehe! Thanks Jill!! 😃💕Actually without the green it would have been a bit dull so that was nice of the Rosemary to be persistent!
I love the way you do glass. Time is a problem…we do what we can! (K)
Awww thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕
I know what you mean. It seems like There is never enough time in a day in my opinion. I am glad the guy in your tin was smiling back, no matter how tired, because we are all thrilled to be painting and playing along, and maybe even having a glass of wine. Cheers, and many thanks, Charlie! 🍷😘🎨
That’s such a sweet thing to say, Carol! 😃💕Thanks so much!! So happy you’re enjoying this journey with us!! (And wine is never a “maybe”😉haha!)
I’m smiling back at you!
You captured the glass beautifully – I like the expressiveness of this piece. The red and green are just the right touch.
Yay!! Thanks for the smile, Judy! 😃💕And glad you liked this!
Your art is amazing. I wish I could express myself the way you do, through your art, your style, and the way you see the world is you doodle it. Sometimes the world seems small and like everything is rushing by, but you capture moments in time with your paintings. You make time come to a stand still as you draw or paint. It’s an amazing super power. Thanks for sharing it each day.
Wow! What an amazing compliment!! 😊Thanks so much for that! 😃💕I truly appreciate it!
Wow, not just straight glass, but wiggly bottle glass, well done, a tough one I would think, the end result looks effortless, you are a natural at seeing the reflective properties in the subject. I was painting right with you last night, fighting for more time, but also smiling as I hit that ‘ post button’ yay I did it, I found the time and I achieved, we all achieved, and we did it together, thank you Charlie for bringing us all together. Painting could be lonely, but sharing with the world enlightens each day, as you do for me each and every day 😀
Awww that’s so sweet of you!! 😃💕You’re a gem, Rebecca!! So happy you’re painting with me! Way more fun that way!! And love seeing everything you create!!
Likewise bud 😀
Interesting how I was actually smiling as I read this and you mention it in the end lol. Glass is so tough to paint but you’ve done a great job! Very inspiring, Charlie. 🙂
Yay! Thanks for the smile, Sissh!! 😃💕 I’m so happy you liked this!! Glass is tough, but for some reason I love to paint it! Hehe
A nice post, Charlie. I think you should also see pride in that reflection of yours as well… pride in the fact that you create great paintings, pride in the fact that you have set up World Watercolour Month, and pride in the fact that you have actually got me painting in watercolour! (OK, I’m not very good at it, but I like doing it, and know I’ll get better with time!) And you write well as well. So, hats off to you!
Hehe! Thanks Tom! 😃I actually am pretty proud that I’ve got you painting with watercolour every day!! That’s totally cool!! Love it!
Oh wow! What a post! It went straight to the core of my heart. Thanks, Charlie, for not only dedicating your time to watercolours a year ago but also for letting us participate in the water colouring fun!
Oh my, painting glass in watercolours! Not only can you paint, and write! … But you’re courageous, too! Great glass, indeed!
Awww what a sweet and wonderful comment!! Thanks so much!!💕😃 I was terrified of painting glass at first!! But now find it kind of fun! Best advice is to always just go for it! Hehe
Wonderful glass painting Charlie. A challenge well done.
Thanks so much, Sharon!! 💕😃
Wow, great class painting. So light and fluid.
Thanks so much, Carol! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S!!!!’😍😍😍
Hehe!! Thanks Teri!! 😃💕
Good job, Charlie. What a challenge!
Awww thanks, Kirk! Glad ya liked it! 😃
Somebody is smiling at you, Charlie, your work is tremazingmendous! Yes I had to make a new word to express my feelings. And I can just picture you in your studio and your grin at your reflection. Priceless, thank you Charlie. 💜
That new word needs to be trademarked! Lol Love it!! 😃 hehe… Thanks so much, Laura!!! 😃💕
I had a feeling you would like that one Charlie! I almost deleted it and I was like, nah, he will love this! (((((((C))))))))
haha! Of course I would!! 😃💕
😎😀
Happy reflections in happy reflections! Awesome glass, Charlie – I hear you on the ‘chrome’ woes! And I find it’s so easy to overwork and consequently rob it of all magic. I think it’s safe to say you haven’t done that!! This composition looks as though it’d be a pretty daunting prospect, but what a smashing job! It’s easy to get lost in all those elegant and flowing reflections. So good!
Thanks, Jacob!! 😃Yeah…it’s really tough to know when to stop with all these reflections. Or even remember what the heck you’re actually painting in the first place! Lol Glad ya liked it!
What a wonderful post, very satisfying. Your glass is so sparkly and those shadows! Lots of happiness!
Awww thanks so much, Cathe! 😃💕So happy you liked this post!
This is a beautiful watercolor the glass you painted is lovely! I love your post Charlie and I know what you mean we all need more time and it seems to never be enough for all the things we want to do especially the pleasant ones we love like painting…and like you last year was way different than this year for me too now I am so happy that we are all together sharing what we love and our beautiful friendships! 😉 <3 Keep smiling <3
Awww I’m so glad you’re enjoying all of this, Carolina! 😃💕It’s wonderful to have met you on this journey!!
Yes and it is wonderful to have met you! 😉 <3
Take inspiration from your own work, as we all do! Imagination is fed by everyday things, so how about posting one or two small imaginative studies before the end of July?
Hmmm…I’ll have to try that! If not July, then August…I’m not planning to stop now! Hehe
so amazing paint
Glad you liked this! 😃
Beautiful job of painting glass!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕