Written by By rather popular demand and beating out a Gazelle, today’s doodlewash is a giraffe. In this case, a younger giraffe and and not quite all of the him as he didn’t want to fit in my sketchbook. Also, I admittedly didn’t have time for the bottom half. But this should be all one needs to get across the idea of a giraffe so this is where we landed. The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world, with even new-born babies being taller than most humans.
Giraffes spend most of their lives standing up, much like nurses, and continue standing even to sleep and give birth, unlike most nurses, of course. The spot pattern is as unique as a fingerprint or a snowflake and no two are exactly alike. Though they’re generally peaceful animals, the males perform something called “necking” which isn’t a sign of romance between the two, but a way to win the female. Apparently, to female giraffes, size does matter and longer necked males are preferred.
Once a baby is succesfully made and born, it grows up almost instantly. A baby giraffe can stand within half an hour after being born and after only 10 hours, it can actually run alongside its family. Just hours after that, I’m sure he begins hoping that when he grows up he’ll have a long neck like his father. Next up is “H” so if you have a living thing that fits the bill, please leave a suggestion in the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Burnt Sienna, Quinacridone Gold, Ultramarine Blue, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
O M G!!! as in Oh My Giraffe!!!!!!!!!! This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! This is now my new favorite charlie o doodlewash E V E R! As in F O R E V E R (aka Sandlot!). Now that I am over the shock of your amazing artistic talents (and PLEASE do not tell us this was a quick one…), I loved how you threw in the comparison to nurses! LOL! So unexpected and yet so appropriate. ROCKSTAR charlie o! Complete and utter doodlewash rockstar. the end. <3 <3 <3
Oh wow…now you’ve made me blush so much I can’t type!! 😳😊😊😊😊hehe… Thank you so much Jodi!! ❤️❤️ I’ve been wanting to try a giraffe for quite some time so it was fun to finally have a go. I stopped using the word quick just for you! Lol But seriously…thanks so much for your wonderful enthusiasm and encouragement my friend!!! I really appreciate it!! ❤️😃😃😃
Well – I really meant it – but you know I love to make you blush too! Okay – tell me how long it took you…… I’m ready….. 🙂
Ok then… I never have more than an hour from sketch to final doodlewash. sometimes I can sneak in an extra 15 minutes, but it’s super rare. Average lately is 45-50 minutes. 😊
you are an amazing one Charlie O! That is all I can say! You are a special, fortunate, talented guy!
You’re doing it again….just trying to make my face turn all pink and stuff😊😊😊hehe… Thanks Jodi! ❤️
teeheehee
You did it! My parents used to take my girls to a private zoo near their house where there was a platform you could climb up and feed the giraffes. This reminds me of that eye-to-eye experience. Nature is full of wonders.
Horse. That’s my suggestion for H. (K)
Oh wow!! That sounds like so much fun!! I’ve never fed one, but would love that! Hehe… Thanks so much Kerfe! I was intimidated by all the spots at first, but this was fun to doodlewash. And I completely forgot about Horse! Oh yeah! 😊hehe
That giraffe is gorgeous.
Thanks Sabiscuit!! 💕😃Hehe…glad you liked him or her…seriously no clue here. 😊
Going with a her. She is so graceful and elegant. I love her. Think I’m going to adopt her.
Hehe…I think I would too. Unfortunately they grow up to be too tall for my home. 😊
Gorgeous painting. You make giraffes proud!
Awww thanks Teri!! 💕😃hehe! That’s so awesome of you to say!
What a wonderful little fellow! The colors are so rich and I love his spikey hair!
Thanks Nancy!! 💕😃This was really fun to doodlewash. Glad you liked it!!
What a sweet-faced giraffe. I remember the first time I fed a giraffe at the Cincinnati Zoo. I was so excited as the giraffe gracefully sauntered over my way, and I held out a peanut in my little hand, reaching as far as I could. I was thrilled as the giraffe took the peanut from my hand, then immediately horrified at the amount of saliva deposited on my palm. My poor parents; it’s a wonder that we ever went to the zoo again 🙂 Maybe my reaction is the reason why the public can’t get that close to the zoo animals anymore! Again, Charlie, thanks for the memories!
Are you saying you’re the one who ruined it for the rest of us?!! Lol Just kidding…that’s an awesome story, Carol!! Love it!! ❤️😃 And glad you liked this tall little giraffe! I had fun with this one!
Oof, I’ve seen footage of giraffes necking – it’s really quite scary! But your doodlewash is of a charming and tranquil character. Brilliantly done, as I’ve come to expect by now 😉 basically, I echo Jodi’s sentiments but just in a more tired and characteristically grumpy manner.
H is for (Hungry Hungry!) Hippo. Hawk. Hyena. I’m struggling with this one!
Haha! Thanks Mr. Grumpy!! 😉 You’d be far less grumpy if you had this giraffe as a pet. He’d be sure to always make you smile. Though would require getting a different home I’m sure, but a small price to pay for love. Lol And yay! Thanks for the H list… I love having lists of options as I never know what will inspire when I go to make that doodlewash. Hehe
Hahaha! I did happen to get not one but two items for my birthday emblazoned with ‘Mr. Grumpy’, so I’ve accepted that it must be the truth. Humbug! (At first I thought, ‘that’s an odd way of spelling Perfect!’)
Also Honeybee! I love bees. Indeed, I now regret not offering bumblebee for B 🙁
Haha…then I guess if the grumpy shoe fits then wear it with pride! And bee did come up but I got all distracted by that baby bear. It happens 😊
Maybe a Hoopoe bird? Nice patterning and great headgear
Thanks Bill!! Wow…I have to google that one…that’s one cool bird!! I never heard of that before!
Oh my God! I want him. He’s gorgeous!
Hehe…Awww thanks so much Cindy!! 💕😃Glad you like him!
Beautiful and soulful work, Charlie!! Really love him. And I think you ended the painting perfectly at that spot (bottom of the book or not)…..I’m with Kerfe! HORSE!!!!💜💜💜💜💜
Thanks so much Laura!! ❤️😃 I thoroughly enjoyed this one… Was a bit “spot-phobic” at first, but just went for it and was pleased with the result! Yep…Horse is definitely on the list. 😉👍🏻
Woot! Beautiful work, Charlie. <3
“…much like nurses…” Hahaha! You always crack me up! <3 It is freakin' adorable, your little giraffe! Who needs the legs when you have a cute face?
Haha…I never really know what the heck will come out when I type that fast! 😊😊lol Glad you liked it!
Havanese or Harrier dogs… don’t have one but a Horse also comes to mind for H.
Thanks!! Yeah….I can’t believe Horse didn’t come to mind for me first thing. 😊hehe… Definitely considering that one!
Oh my, this giraffe looks so silky soft. I agree with what everything that has been said, wonderful Charlie! How about a Hornbill.
Thanks Sharon!! 💕😃Glad you like him too. I think this is one of my favorites so far after the emu. Hehe And Hornbill…hmmm…off to google that! 😉
Gosh, you’d think I could have thought of a Giraffe! I only studied them for a whole year!!! 🤔 LoVe how you painted its face and all those spots, Charlie! ❤️ How about a hippo for “H”? 😍
Hehe…me too!! Lol it’s funny how I don’t immediately think of the most popular animal on these! Like I’m making it too hard or something. Thanks so much Jill!! 💕😃 And yeah…hippo is definitely in consideration!! 😉
He is simply gorgeous! Love his face! And you did it again with the texture! I have seen a documentary about the necking and it just looks strange. What boys do to get attention! Ha! I would love to see horned frog for H.. 😁
Thanks Kari!! 💕😃Yeah it made me wonder if actual human boys did that for attention….lol…doubt it would work as well! 😉 I’ll have google horned frog to see what one looks like! Lol 😊
She’s a beauty 🙂
Thanks!! 💕😃Glad you liked my giraffe!! Hugs!
This sketch is great! It’s almost as if the baby giraffe is going to reach of the page for a snack from a nearby tree. Well done.
I think you should sketch of a horse next, particularly one including the neck and shoulders. The muscular structure of horses is amazing and beautiful, and I believe you would draw it wonderfully.
Thanks so much!! I really appreciate that!! 😃 Yeah…horses are deceptively hard to do…I’ve only ever tried a sculpture in a fountain of one. I’ll have to challenge myself to try a real one. There are lots of great H suggestions…so I haven’t chosen yet! 😊hehe
Great artwork! 🙂
Thanks so much!!
No worries! 🙂
This little giraffe is so cute! The twisting neck is awesome. A good contrast in size would be hummingbird (fitting on to the page), but someone suggested hornbill – I would love to see it as well.
Thanks Kathi!! 💕😃 Yeah..there are sooo many good suggestions I’m having trouble deciding!! 😳lol
Ow wow, he/ she is so adorable. Great doodle wash and choice for ‘g’……it would be silly if I did not suggest a hare or a horse for the letter ‘H'( my fav go to paint)…..but you could also have hamster, herring, heron, hedgehog, honeybee, hippo, and highland cow.
Thanks Rebecca!! 💕😃Glad you liked his one!! And what a great list!!! Thanks for that too!! Still haven’t decided. Always last minute. 😊
What a charmer this is. Absolutely gorgeous and a bit demure with its gaze. Your talent shines here. Thank you for this sweet art.
Awww thanks Haunani!! ❤️😃What a sweet thing to say!! I really appreciate your kind words!!
5 stars And a massive WOOHOO!
this is my favorite image I’ve seen so far! love it. big cheers, Debi
Wow! Thanks so much Debi!! 💕😃I have to admit this is one of my faves that I’ve doodlewashed. I love giraffes!! 😊
that was SO good… I’d flog the dickens out it! lol postcards, mugs, hats, you name it 🙂 cheers, Debi
Hehe…I need to find time to scan things and add to my store. I’m the worst shopkeeper ever! Lol
no you’re not Charlie!! I might be, as I haven’t even GOT a Shop! I need to find time to do one.
Yes!! You definitely do!! 😉👍🏻
Nicely done Charlie. Your talent and ability is blossoming before us everyday.
Thanks so much Wayne for the encouraging words!! I just keep doodlewashing and don’t really stop to notice if there’s been any improvement. 😊hehe… Truly appreciate your comment friend!
What a sweet giraffe. I agree with Sharon, your giraffe looks very silky and soft. Most handsome giraffe portrait! I’ve been stuck on hedgehogs lately, maybe even slightly obsessed but a hummingbird, hornbill, horse all sound rather nice too or a hen…helicopter…hamburger…yikes!
Awww thanks!! 💕😃yeah I just wish I knew how I got the silky soft look…lol…so I could repeat it. 😊 hehe And awesome suggestions. I think I’m going to stick with animals though…they’re kind of fun. Though technically a hamburger was at one time I a guess! 😉
Great expression on your giraffe.
Thanks so much Diane!! 💕😃
This is sublime! How do you find the time to do such wonderful paintings each and every day? Hats off to you, Charlie.
Thanks so much Michael!! I just have an hour a day from sketch to doodlewash. Sometimes I just get a little luckier on the result! 😊hehe… glad you liked this one!!
Astonishing!
Your giraffe is adorable Charlie! What a great face. I think anyone would have trouble fitting an entire giraffe onto a sketch book page. 🙂 Perfect job spot-phobic and all. 😉
Thanks Susan!! 💕😃I really enjoyed this one once I started to get into it and over my spot phobia! Lol
Oh this is adorable.
Thanks so much Corinne!! 💕😃
Gorgeous portrait! Itcaptures the gentle beauty of this animal.
Thanks so much!