Written by Hello again my friends! I haven’t been posting daily lately, but a prompt of “Chick” was just too cute to pass up! I’ve still been sketching every single day, but my current approach is lots and lots of pencil sketches as I explore different characters for my upcoming book series. Many of my sketches were perfectly wretched and for just a moment I felt like I was in over my head. But then my inner child told me to just keep right on playing and trying, and yesterday, everything clicked and I created an entire set of characters in a similar style that I actually rather loved. And so, now it’s back to finessing and practicing, but with lots of renewed energy and hope. Though I have to admit that after five and a half years, I still feel just like a baby chick when it comes to art. Even if I’ve learned a ton along the way, there’s always a ton more to learn! But, that’s what makes this journey so incredible. Hatching new ideas isn’t always easy, but it’s easily the most incredibly fun thing to DO!
Philippe and I took down almost all all of our holiday decorations, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to take the tree down yet. We’ll be saying goodbye to it tomorrow, but we thought an extra week of sparkle could never really hurt, especially after the year we’ve just had. Though we still have a bit of festive tradition left since each January Philippe makes a galette des rois, a French king cake. It’s so delicious and I look forward to it every year. Indeed, I remind him of it incessantly so he doesn’t forget. I always begin each year with lots of enthusiasm since my inner child is still buzzing with energy after my favorite month of all. This year, with my new books, I’ve set the biggest goal for myself yet, but I know that if I diligently keep on sketching and practicing as I’ve always done, that even the toughest goals will happen.
And, it’s Friday, so that means pizza night returns! Last week, we had a big snow and nobody was delivering. A few days after that, we had rain and now all of the snow has been washed away. So, that will make this week’s pizza night extra special. I still got a fun treat last week, as Philippe make chicken fingers instead, which are normally called chicken tenders when served to adults, but I prefer to stick with the name I used when I was a kid. It’s just more fun that way. Last night, our dog Phineas was hobbling a bit and we didn’t know why, but this morning he was just fine again. We think he might have simply landed funny when he slid off the couch with a plop while sleeping. He didn’t seem bothered at all, but did seem to enjoy the extra bit of attention as we cooed over. Today when offered a treat he rushed over like nothing had ever happened. So, he’s just fine and also confirmed the restorative power of a good treat. As for me, I’m thrilled for the days ahead as I continue my new art exploration, and will certainly be excited to share more once things are freshly hatched.
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Hansa Yellow Medium, Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Vermilion, Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise, Pthalo Blue, and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an Hahnemühle D&S Sketchbook. 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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So glad that your characters have coalesced (how often do I get to use that word?!), that Phineas is fine, and that Pizza is sure to be on the plate! Life doesn’t get much better. This year, I have GOT to find a king cake to try. I’ve never had one.
Rosca de Reyes in Spanish. Try your local Mexican bakery, if you have one. It may not be a perfect match to a French one, but yummy good.😀
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 Aww I never get to use coalesced… hehe… And king cake is wonderful if it’s the French pastry version. If it comes in wild colors… not so much! lol 😉
Too Cute! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕
Heureuse de vous re lire – car vous dessinez bien – mais, vous devriez aussi être écrivain- c’est comme un feuilleton – et j’adore vous lire – de plus étant française, et Philippe vous apportant un peu de la France, parfois vous me faites “sourire” – en effet c’était l’Epiphanie, pour la religion chrétienne, ce mercredi, et c’est la période en France des galettes des rois mages, il y en a de toutes sortes selon les régions, mais la plus célèbre est celle en pâte feuilletée, et dedans de la pâte d’amande, puis à l’intérieur il y a une fève, là aussi, de toutes sortes, certaines sont très chères, car de collections. Philippe met il une fève ? à vous suivre …
Merci beaucoup, Cathy! 😃💕 Yes! We include a fève in the galette des rois! We have several that Philippe’s mom gave to us that we select from each year.
Hey Charlie, strange way you have of taking time off — you pop in every five minutes! As for the tree I just read a lot of folk are leaving theirs up for awhile,keep the joy going. I had a dream that showed me a painting on a stand which I am expected to paint. Egad. I don’t know how to paint water. I don’t know how to paint dogs. The divine answer came when I did like Julia Cameron says and seek divine guidance. The answer came: Atmospheric. Oh yes. That sort of takes care of definition after the first telling part of subject. Now I have to make myself get the lead I mean paints out and practise.
Ten weeks to spring. Yayyy.
Hehe! Every five days, but it seems like five minutes sometimes! lol 😉 Yay for getting the paints out to practice. And yeah… I’m having to sort of figure out the style that works best for me and characters. And that might end up a bit looser style as well.
Sweet chick, Charlie!! So nice to hear from you this evening and very happy that your characters are coming together!!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m having fun with the process… even if it’s a very long process! hehe
I found out that base no is one if the oldest dog breeds in the world. Pretty cool fact for the day. I also finally got out the alcohol inks that I purchased ages ago and decided to figure out how to use them. Fun stuff!
Fun indeed! Yay! 😃💕 I’ve been discovering all sorts of art supplies I haven’t played with yet as well. It’s a joy!
Hi, Charlie! It’s always a joy to hear your voice and even happier that you don’t stay away so long. 🎉🎉🎉 They said on the news that it was snowing in Missouri or it was supposed to snow so I thought for sure that you were rolling around in the snow, making snow angels and snowmen with Philippe. haha haha It’s supposed to get “cold” and rainy here for the weekend (upper 50’s during the day), but in true Texas style, we’ll be warm and sunny soon enough. So, time to hibernate for the weekend.
So happy to hear that your book and characters are coming together. Believe it or not, just last night, I prayed for you and asked the Lord to help you with your book so yay! I am sure that it’s going to be awesome, Charlie. Pan comido! Eaten bread!
Poor Phineas. It’s so stressful when your child is hurt. I used to worry when my Gordo wasn’t feeling well. Sometimes it was just “flojera.” Laziness. haha haha I am so glad that he recovered quickly. Or maybe he did it for some extra love and snacks. 😂😂😂 I used to give Monster a snack as a reward for letting us know that he needed to go potty. My mother used to say, “You even reward him for pooping!?” haha haha
Have a great pizza night, Charlie! And a wonderful weekend. Stay warm and cozy. We’re cheering for you, my friend! Go, Charlie, Go! Go, Charlie, Go! Go, Charlie, Go! 💜💜💜
Thanks so much, Marisela! 😃💕 It was a fabulous pizza night, and everything is going great here. Phineas is definitely in those mature years so we no anything can happen moving forward, but he’s doing great right now! And yeah, I guess we reward him for poop as well! lol
This post sounds promising. Do you have a story line?
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Yes! Actually the first book is completely written and I have storylines for four more in the series. Weirdly that came easily, but it’s the illustrations that are my biggest challenge. So much to learn about drawing characters! 😉
That’s good news. I’m not surprised that the illustrations are more difficult than the words. You have to make a lot of decisions before even starting to paint.
That’s a cute chick, Charlie. I thought you were going to do a book featuring your Doodlewash characters. I’m looking forward to seeing your new creations.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Each time I draw characters, though, they all look a bit different. Not quite the same recognizable character. So I wanted to create that, and then make sure my future characters would work in the same style so there’s more a constant look.
Hello hello Charlie,
How have you been? The Doodlewash is as cute as always. 🙂 It’s so lovely to see your post again and better still to know that you found all those characters that have always been waiting for you! Yaaay for that! I envy you the cake and the pizza even more. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Lots of love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 Doing great here, and I hope you’re doing great as well my friend! Yeah, cake and pizza are just about the best things in the world! hehe Have a fantastic week ahead!
Baby chicks are one of my favorite Spring creatures! He’s so cute. I love the added touch of the brown egg.
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this little one!
Your chick is adorable and I am glad that you are sticking with your book despite the challenges.That coincides with my word for the year perseverance. Hang in it will all be worth it!!
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 Yay for that word! Best one for this year indeed! Let’s all hang in there and make our dreams come true!
Aw, this little chick is so sweet and you painted it well. Good to know your book plans are coming along. Remember this when you face the next little glitch, which you will, of course. And if you don’t mind, please ask Philippe to save me slice of cake – I’ve never had King’s cake but feel I must try it.
Sharon, I’m so sorry I don’t know how I missed this comment! Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s been quite a learning experience for me over this past few weeks on this new book. But it’s fun! And yeah… Philippe’s cake is amazing. I managed to talk him into making a second one, but it’s rather impossible to share! lol It’s soooo good. I’ve told him he needs to make his version of the Mardi Gras kind… but when I showed him a picture he made that face. 😉
Hi, Charlie,
This is just a note to say that I’m missing your doodles. I hope your project is going well.
Aww thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 It’s been like I’m going back to school! hehe Lots to learn and tons of tiny pencil sketches while I figure it all out, but it’s fun! I’m going to try to pop in a bit more, but needed to take a couple weeks off! 😉 Hope all is well with you!
And here we are in 2021! I miss “seeing” you everyday but sheesh! I’m just selfish😆 I’m anticipating the new books too (will you name the mousies after us and immortalize the Doodlewash community? I can see a Marisela, a Mugdah and a Middi mousie.😆) Don’t give anything away but I really want signed copies💁♀️
We left our tree up for a week longer this year, but we are employing every candle we own to make up for all the lights. Happy Hopeful New Year to you, Philippe and of course the slightly magical Phineas. He could be his own series😄!
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕 Hope you’re have a fabulous and hopeful New Year so far. The book is coming along slowly but surely… it’s a bit of an usual approach in concept, which shouldn’t shock anyone, of course… hehe