Today’s prompt is slippers, but the ones I actually own are a dark blue and nothing particularly special. When looking for more interesting slippers to sketch, I found these elaborately designed nordic knitted mukluk slippers, and initially got cold feet, so to speak, due to their complexity, and kept searching. Then I decided, what the heck? Why not tackle something ridiculously complex and see if some quick scribbles and a bit of loose watercolor can manage to make it look like the intended reference. The thing I love most about watercolor sketching is how even the most elaborate objects can be quickly “faked” in a way that makes them magically passable as the real thing. I won’t be picking up furry slippers like these any time soon, however, as in reality I rarely ever get actual cold feet and would sweat right through them. Which is just gross.
My body temperature always runs extremely warm and although this seems like a blessing in winter, I actually feel robbed of being able to properly enjoy winter slipper fashion. Beyond the normal, everyday slippers, you can get perfectly ridiculous ones that look like cute stuffed animals. You can step right into the belly of a little kitty cat or shove your foot right up the butt of a koala. Sure it’s super weird, but the idea of having a little plush friend with you at all times is kind of endearing. Rather than slip on my boring navy blue slippers, I could be enjoying the fabulous experience of stepping into a platypus! Sadly, due to my incovenient tendency to overheat, I’ve never had the pleasure of this doing this. Thinking about it now though, it seems like it might be hard to walk about with platypus feet. But, the point is, I’d love to have the opportunity to find out.
My mother bought me a pair of slipper socks for Christmas one year and I still wear them occasionally when it gets cold enough for me. This is that somber gift that lets you clearly know you’re no longer a child and it’s time to get sensible. I also love that if you’re still wearing slippers past lunchtime, you’re sending a firm message to the world that it can get by without you today. Of course, there are people who still hop in the car while wearing slippers. Once, in a Walmart, I saw an entire family shopping in their pajamas. This was disconcerting, to be sure, but I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. It was clearly a life or death decision between staying home, lazy and starving, or getting those Pizza Poppers. Ultimately, I guess I’ll just have to dream of what it might be like to wear cozy slippers and be a bit daring myself by sketching the most complex pair I can find. Sometimes, it’s great when you don’t have to be constrained by the silly bother of getting cold feet.
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Walmart brings them out, doesn’t it? What is it about that store that people figure anything goes? Doesn’t happen much where I live, but the pictures of Walmart shoppers elsewhere – my oh my. If they were wearing your shoes,
we’d all think it was this side of closer to normal.
So did you discover, as I think you did, that a quick swipe of gray wash along the edge of a shape creates shadow without any complex brush work at all? Fun, right? You got it all – the fuzzies, the pom poms, the bright knit patterns, and the foot shape of the sole. Yeah I’d wear those slippers even to Walmart! Good job, Charlie.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yep… there’s something amazing about Walmart! Lol And yes! I love that plop of shadow, and usually am too timid with the color at first and have to go back in and darken it. But these fuzzy things were super fun to doodlewash!
🍷🎊🎈🎉🍸🍻🎆💃
Thanks so much, Cindy! Happy New Year! 😃💕
Fantastic Charlie! Happy New Year! 🎉
Thanks so much, Eileen! A very Happy New Year to you my friend! 😃💕
And to you Charlie! Looking forward to seeing what you create in 2017 🎉
You always bring a smile on my face when I read your posts! Today too with the family in pj’s actually I came across several people shopping this season ln pj pants and sleepers, late night at Target now that they close at 11pm. In Italy we will never go out in pajama or sleepers it’s a rolling eyes lol! And now that I live here in US still I will never go around in pj unless is a pajama party between friends! LOL ;-D <3 But I love the sleepers you painted they looks like a ethnic pair of boots beautiful work. I will wear them with an appropriate outfit, the one I painted are quite similar style just more furry you should see what I painted, then we both can go shopping together in our sleepers :-)) <3
Haha! That would be fun! Thanks so much, Carolina! 😃💕 Yeah… I still roll my eyes to see people out in sleep clothes, but am secretly impressed by their “who cares” attitude. hehe Instead, you can just invite me to your next pajama party! 😉
LOL yes Charlie! Happy New Year!!! <3 🙂
To you as well!! 😃💕
Thank You!
These are awesome. Do you ever get a cold nose? That is my problem. Lol.
Thanks Jodi! 😃💕 Hehe… actually, no… I just run warm all over! Not sure what that means, but it’s probably because my mind never shuts off and is overheating me. 😊
oh charlie – I am having a hard time smiling these days, but you are such a bright spot I cannot help but smile. thank you
You’re too sweet… I’m glad I can still make you smile. If I lived closer, I’d hug you! 💕(But, I’d also demand cookies, so I could become a bother😊)
never!
LMAO….absolutely love your reference to “faking it”….I do that all the time with my watercolor efforts…guess the medium brings that out….due to lack of much control. I don’t wear slippers either and never have. Growing up in Montana; it was more appropriate to sleep with your boots on. Not sure if that was because the winters were so cold (often -40 or more) or we were simply afraid someone would steal our boots (not unheard of). Happy New Year to you and yours and please continue to entertain us in 2017.
Thanks so much, Glen! 😃 hehe… faking it is what makes watercolor SO fun!! Lol Happy New Year to you as well and here’s to a 2017 with lots of fabulous faking it, and fervent hope that nobody steals your boots!
I personally think you could rock these, Charlie. 😛 It is so cool to see how you can represent something so complex with such ease. Beautiful work! Have a very happy New Year’s Eve!
Aww thanks so much, Annie! 😃💕 These were super fun to doodlewash! And I hope you have a fantastic New Year my friend!!
Great job “faking it” Charlie! I love them! Walmart is notorious for pajama shoppers! 😳
Thanks, Annie! 😃💕 hehe… appreciate that! And yep… Walmart hosts some of the best light night shopping fashion on the planet! Happy New Year!
Wonderful! A very happy New Year to you both.
Thanks so much, Michael! A Very Happy New Year to you and yours my friend!! 😃💕
Delightful and festive painting! Your slippers look like they are ready for a party. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Haunani! 😃💕 Glad you liked these and I hope you have a very Happy New Year!
Thank you Charlie, I hope you and the family have a wonderful New Year!
Thanks so much! Here’s to an incredible year ahead! 😃💕
I love this. Another oldie but goodie.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕