Written by Today’s wonderful doodlewashes come from the skillful hand of Lindsay Baker in Sydney, Australia. (Be sure to follow him on Instagram and check out his website for more!) He says, “Until my 30’s I didn’t consider myself to have any artistic ability at all – as a computer programmer I’d come from a very ‘maths and sciences’ background and thought that was all I could do.”
One day while flicking around TV channels Lindsay happened across the TV show “Simply Painting with Frank Clarke” where he was showing how easy it was to paint watercolor landscapes. His interest was piqued and he wanted to try it, so he bought the supplies and painted landscapes in Frank’s style for a while, but then moved on to other hobbies.
“I didn’t start painting again until I was 40.” he says. “Since then I’ve painted every kind of subject using every kind of paint, and really enjoy the variety. I don’t have a favourite – I’m easily bored so sticking to one type of paint or subject is never going to happen!”
Having spent the happiest years of his childhood in the country, but now living in a city of 5 million people (Sydney, Australia), he was frustrated by having no opportunity to travel to “beautiful” places that he could paint. Then he discovered the “urban sketching” idea, and realized that “if you’re willing to really look, you can find beautiful, or at least interesting, subjects on just about any street.”
“It has really helped me to learn to like living in the city, and has given me a huge pool of potential paintings to create without having to venture far from home. I usually photograph subjects I’m interested in and then paint from the photos later.”
The other “really enjoyable thing” Lindsay got involved with is the “postcard art group” on Instagram. “It’s just a bunch of artists sending each other handmade (drawn, painted, collaged, etc.) postcards. No deadlines, no minimums, just painting and sharing for the fun of it. I’ve met some really great new friends (pity they’re in other countries!) and have a collection of original art I’d never have accumulated any other way. New members are always welcome, whether you’re on Instagram or not!”
For “doodlewash” type paintings that Lindsay plans to send to people, he takes a full sheet of 450gsm watercolor paper and cuts it up into 25 6×4” postcards, which leaves some offcuts that are good for testing colors on. He says it’s much cheaper to do this than to buy the pre-made watercolor postcards!
Lindsay usually starts by drawing large shapes with light pencil lines, just to establish the composition, then he’ll ink using Copic Multiliner pens (usually the 0.1). “For painting,” he says, “I have a full set of Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolours – even though they’re ‘student’ grade I find them perfectly fine for this sort of work. I usually try to only use 5 or 6 colours in a single painting to keep it harmonious.”
After painting, he’ll often go back in and add more pen work where he feels some extra detail would be helpful. He also sometimes uses a white gel pen if he wants to add a highlight or accentuate an edge.
Once the paintings are finished and fully dry, he gives them a coat of “Matt Spray” which seals in the watercolor and prevents it from running if it gets wet. “I’ve sent these painted postcards all around the world,” he says, “and they travel just fine without needing any further protection. But recently I’ve been sending them in clear plastic sleeves because the post office has an annoying habit of stamping things on the painted side!”
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome doodlewashes, Lindsay, and giving us a glimpse inside your processes! Be sure to take a moment now to follow him on Instagram and check out his website! It’s fun to watch and see where Lindsay will take you next, and if you join the postcard art group, you just might also find a Postcard from Australia in your mailbox!
Wow, inspiring to anyone who thinks they don’t have any artistic ability or talent. Lindsay is a wonderful inspiration. Thanks for featuring and introducing. Pleased to me meet Lindsay!
Yay! Glad you like this Cynthia! Lindsay is wonderful and just a wonderful person in general as well! 😃
Lovely scenes. I like the tip about using the white gel markers for highlighting.
Yeah…that’s a good tip Nancy! Especially when painting plein air. So much easier than lugging around a tube of white gouache! Hehe… glad you liked this! Thanks so much for commenting! 😃
I was just checking out your IG feed and noticed Erik Davis’ art! I’ve gotten his postcard also! I was also a math and science major in college! I will be following on Instagram!
Yay, Kari! Love connecting artists!! 😃👍🏻
Thanks for inviting Lindsay to share his inspiring art. It’s so much fun to learn about everyone’s methods and thoughts about their art. Thanks again and wonderful post.
You’re quite welcome!! I’ve been working on getting Lindsay to be featured for awhile! Hehe… so happy to do so! 😃
Wow! Love that Lindsay does postcard art – something I’d like to do more of! Thanks for introducing another really AMAZING artist, Charlie! :-))
You’re quite welcome Jill! He’s been asking me to do the postcard thing as well, and I think it’s a wonderful idea! Just haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but it’s on the list! You should DO it!! 😉😃👍🏻
Love,love LOVE!!!
Yay!! Lindsay is incredible right?! Follow him everywhere, Eric! Hehe
Wow! Another incredible artist! You are so good at sharing and connecting everyone. Kudos to you Charlie O!!!
Thanks Jody my friend!! Lindsay is fantastic! Glad you like his work! Another awesome artist tomorrow! Though you might already know her! 😉😃
Oh Charlie … I’m nervous. 😨
My dear new friend…don’t be!! I’m determined to make you realize you’re an amazing artist. And all I ask in return is well… a cookie?! I’d really, really love one of your cookies!! Hehe 😊
Well – cookies – they are easy! Thank you sweet friend!
This: “if you’re willing to really look, you can find beautiful, or at least interesting, subjects on just about any street.” YES! So true. Thanks for bringing us Lindsay’s art today! I like that idea of exchanging art postcards…will have to do that one day when I’m not pulled in 400 different directions. 🙂
I know…I fee the same about everything you mentioned! Love the quote and feel like I just don’t have time for postcards. And yet…if I’d just do it, I’d see that it’s fun and no big deal! 😊
You’re welcome to join the #postcardartgroup any time!
Thanks for the invite, Lindsay! I’ll work up the courage..and the time. 🙂
There’s no pressure at all – no deadlines, no minimums (entire months pass where I don’t send a single card), no requirement to send one back to someone you receive one from …etc. I see you just followed me on Instagram – hello! – look up the user @mmfxrofe, he started the group and is a great watercolourist 🙂
((Strange voice in the background says…”DO it Teresa…DOOOOO it!…….))
Will do! I enjoy following other artists. 🙂
I love postcards, and these are special. And I always enjoy the way you tell the story that goes with the art.
Awww thank you so much! I can’t take a lot of credit for this one as Lindsay is a pretty amazing storyteller himself! It’s fun to learn new stories directly from the source!
Journalist as well as artist.
I love Lindsay’s style. Each image is so inviting and playful. What a great story! Thanks Lindsay! Thanks Charlie!
It’s really cool isn’t it?! Be sure to check out the rest of his work! 😃👍🏻
Oh this is wonderful! So nice to meet someone who found his artistic abilities along the path of life.
I know! Isn’t it great…I always love hearing that!
Again a beautifully written portrait! Thanks for sharing some of Lindsay´s process too – it was interesting to read that he´s only using a couple of colors to keep it harmonious. I think that´s what “ruined” some of my pictures – I was using to many different colors. But I wasn´t aware of it until now. Sounds exciting to start a painting by choosing the colors first… Thanks for this lesson, Charlie and Lindsay! 😊
I’ll give all the credit to Lindsay! He’s a great writer and a great artist! I just put things in order and hit publish! 😊
Another great introduction to more wonderful art and inspiration. Love reading the process and the background. Beauty is where you find it and as Lindsay has shown, it can be right outside the front door. Great presentation, fabulous creative journey. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Thanks friend! Lindsay is a wonderful guy and fantastic artist. Glad you liked the feature! 😃
Thanks for introducing this artist, Charlie. I love his idea of painting postcards and his sketches are very appealing.