Written by Today’s prompt was sparkling and since I’ve doodlewashed sparkling drinks more times than I can count, I decided to look around for new inspiration. As I was looking at things in the kitchen, I realized that nearly everything has a sparkling quality to it, so my options for this one were pretty limitless. I spotted a metal colander that was definitely sparkling with reflections and light and then noticed the tomatoes sitting next to it also seemed to sparkle in their own tomato sort of way. Suddenly, the rather ordinary scene before me was transformed and seemed almost magical, waiting to be sketched. I often find myself staring at common objects around me, studying them, wondering how I might bring them to life on paper. Even without a pen or a brush in my hand, I’m mentally picturing the lines I might choose and the color I could combine to recreate that particular hue of whatever is sitting in front of me. The world just gets so much more interesting when you start painting bits of it.
My painting habit is fueled by this wonderful additional hobby of simple observation. Learning to see the world as an artist might, is endlessly engaging. Noticing colors that you never realized were there before and shapes that seem to appear out of nowhere. As much as I love jumping to entirely new subjects, I’ve noticed that when I repeat the same subject a few times, I get a bit better at illustrating it. Of course, this is what people refer to as “practice,” but I’ve always struggled with that. I have every intention of wanting to learn something, but I really get bored with the repetitive tasks it takes to do so. The way I’ve been able to make sketching work for me is to simply paint something new each and every day. I so admire people who can spend several days on the same painting, but my approach has also become part of my style. My messy layers that barely had time to dry before I attacked them again with paint. I’m doing it “wrong” but it’s equally right, because it works well for me and makes me happy.
And, it also means that I can suddenly become intoxicated by the beauty of a colander, innocently reflecting some tomatoes. It’s a difficult subject, to be sure, but I just happily start hitting it with paint until something happens on paper. I’m not trying to paint a colander, I’m just trying to share the magical flecks of light that captured my eye. And then write whatever little story hopped into my head at that moment. With no grand plan in mind, I simply dive in, just to see what happens next. It occurs to me that I’m writing and illustrating the world’s longest and weirdest memoir by doing this each day. But even the most mundane thoughts are worth preserving, much like the objects that inspired them. Perhaps, one day, I’ll look back and wonder why on earth I choose to sketch and ramble on about the things that I do. But today, as the sun shines through the window onto the bits and pieces of my life, I’m content. Thinking of nothing more than the happy fact that if you manage to look at the world in just the right way, everything sparkles.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Pyrrol Red, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al-Star Fountain Pen – Extra Fine,
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with Platinum Carbon black ink in an A6 
Charlie, this is a beautiful depiction of a colander and tomatoes, sparkling and reflecting. You mention what I think is the most important task for an artist – to learn to see. After that is a whole lot of experimentation and personal discovery because even if you “copy” something, it will always be your interpretation.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 It’s so true, right? No matter how hard you try to “copy” something you will always end up with something only you could have made.
It’s ok to be weird charlie! I like your results. Today’s is really bright and sparkly. 👌🌟
Yay to being weird!! lol Thanks so much, Janina! 😃💕
Nice reflections. (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕
That’s awesome, dude. I love it.
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕
Beautiful doodlewash! Charlie, I look so forward to your daily paintings and stories. With all the complexities of our world, your blog is a breath of fresh air each evening. Thanks for that! 💖
That’s such a wonderful thing to hear, Carol! 😃💕 Thanks so much for that! Sometimes I have no idea if my ramblings are of any importance whatsoever. I’m thrilled you enjoy them!!
Charlie – I try to paint (watercolor) the fruit & vegetables that my husband raises. But most times I eat the fruit or vegetables before I take the time to paint them. 🙁
LOVE the shiny colander. I have such trouble with capturing the sparkle or shine of something. Need to practice, practice …
Thanks for sharing your “shiny side of life!”
Thanks so much, Nancy!! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this! I love painting shiny things! The trick I’ve found is to add in as many of the “weird shapes” you see that you can and then boost the contrast farther than you feel comfortable! Yeah, I’m not an art instructor, but that’s what works for me!
Thanks Charlie! Love all the shine and sheen!! Everything about this painting is just right. Your reflections in the pan and all the shine are awesome!
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕 You’re so sweet to say that! I’m thrilled you liked how this turned out!
Reblogged this on The Magic Moments of Watercolor and commented:
Forgive me for not being original. However, writing is truly hard work for me and here Charlie has said everything i, myself, would like to say or nearly so. i might add that working and reworking a motif remains important to me and part of what I do but otherwise this post pretty well sums up my day. I hope yours will be “Sparkly ” too.
Holly
(Angel in the dust)
I tend to look at the world with an artistic eye too. I pick out compositions and negative/positive space in scenes around me. Usually this occurs when I’m waiting for something or just sitting quietly alone. If you look at something hard enough and close enough it becomes something else entirely, know what I mean? Anyway, I love your sparkly Doodlewash. It turned out great however, your shiny tomatoes are making me crave a juicey Jersey tomato sandwich!! I have months to wait for those!!
thanks so much, Nancy! 😃💕 I know exactly what you mean! I’m always seeing things a bit differently when I really take the time to look. Or squint at them until they blur into just the important bits. hehe
Definitely, squinting is a great tool! It’s how I decide if the lights on the Christmas tree are evenly spaced too!😊
Wow! That pan is amazing!
aww thanks so much! 😃💕