Written by These imaginative doodlewashes come from Fiona Rose, who grew up in a creative family in New York City (follow her blog by clicking here!). Her father was an avid photographer so they had a black & white darkroom in the basement, and she was hooked. Fiona went on to receive a BFA in fine art photography but never did anything with it as a profession. She says, “This was all pre-digital, and when things shifted to computers in the art world I just never really paid attention, so eventually was very much out of the loop.”
Subject-wise, she’s very interested in what she imagines to be “the unseen worlds around us. I draw solely from my imagination, with some photo reference to check anatomy of animals.” (Love this! This is one of the clear distinctions of doodlewashing vs. urban sketching… sometimes you can just explore what’s inside your own imagination rather than only what you can see in front of you!)
Of course she is also inspired by the work of other artists, and finds Twitter to be a great resource for that (you can follow her there @Fiona_and_Co). Currently she’s writing and illustrating a children’s picture book, a bedtime story, for which she hopes to find representation in the near future.
Fiona says, “Last year I started drawing in colored pencil, which was so exciting until I went to upload my work online – and discovered how much scanners dislike colored pencil. It was frustrating, so I tried a set of Prismacolor watercolor pencils I’d been given as a gift. I added water and wow! I’m in love!”
That was literally only a few weeks ago, so Fiona is still exploring her process. Right now she’s trying out different papers, and currently prefers Fabriano Acquarello hot press cotton paper and Canson’s cold press paper.
She says, “Both are great but as I work with a lot of water I need to start stretching the paper with tape. I always sketch then go over with pen & ink, erase and start with a wash. I’ve graduated to using – wait for it – a $10 Prang pan set of 16 colors, which are amazing. If you read the reviews on Amazon you wouldn’t believe it. Maybe I’ll invest in some Winsor & Newton soon but for now I couldn’t be happier.”
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful imagination with us Fiona and we can’t wait to see more doodlewashes of your unseen worlds! Also, be sure to check out her portfolio and the link to her shop by clicking here!
So fun and whimsical! I’ll have to remember about the Prang pan set when I finally run out of my 20 year old W&N watercolors. 🙂
Glad you liked this Teresa! And what?! How have they lasted so long?! You need to doodlewash more my friend! Hehe
Yes, I do! I went for years without doing much, if any, art. I’m making up for that now. Partly, too, it’s because I also have pastels, tempera, acrylics, and colored pencils to use. I’m an art supplies hog. And I really like using just charcoal or ink. 😀
Yay! So happy you’re making up for it now! Hehe….love your art!
Awww, you’re so sweet, Charlie! There should be a TV show called Everyone Loves Charlie! x
Hehe… Thanks Teresa! 😊 My own show? That’s awesome! But I’d have to get someone to play me as I’d want to spend my extra time doodlewashing. 😉
LOL! Who would you pick to play you?
Haha…I’m not sure… not sure if I look like any particular celebrity or not!
From the small profile pic that I can see, I’d say you look like Rock Hudson (alas, he is not alive to portray you)! 🙂
No…I think “living” is probably an important prerequisite to actor selection. But thanks for the compliment! 😉hehe
Thank you so much Teresa! :^D
Fiona’s paintings and blog are so charming! I love her world! Thank you for sharing her with us Charlie!
It’s it fun, Cathe?! Fiona’s imagination is such a wonderful trip!! 😃
Thanks Charlie, for your lovely comments and for asking me to be a part of this wonderful blog and community you’ve created 😀
Thank YOU Fiona! It was so awesome to be able to feature you here! So glad you’re part of the doodlewash family! 😃❤️
Thanks Cathe! Very kind of you 🙂
I’m a new followers of this amazing artist and adore the soft style. I’m a big fan of cheap art supplies. ; ))) So I can totally relate to the Prang thing. Great work, Fiona. I look forward to seeing more.
Hehe…that’s awesome! Glad you like her work! And yeah…it’s not the price of the supplies it’s how you use that brush that counts! 😉
Thank you Sand Salt Moon 😀
I like Fiona’s style – soft color palette and imaginative art. Look forward to following her blog and seeing more of her art! Thanks Charlie for introducing her! 💜🎨😊
You’re so welcome Jill! Fiona is great! She’s definitely one to follow!! 😃
Thanks very much Jill 🙂
Fabulous–sheer watercolor whimsey–makes me think of “Le Petit Prince”.
Yes! Pretty cool, eh? Love her little worlds…so pretty and beautiful!
Thank you Eric! I have heard that comparison before and it is very nice to hear :^D
Delightful expression of imagination and storytelling through art. Unseen worlds are rich with inspiration, looks like she found it. Thank you for sharing.
Fiona definitely found something special…it’s awesome to visit her works. Glad you like them too, Haunani!
Art and Moondreams, thank you for your kind words 🙂
I really love the whimsical nature of your art! I began my art journey just doodling and I love my Prismacolors! Watercolor is something fairly new to me. And I also have a set of Prangs that I love!
Much appreciated Kari! :^D
These are wonderful – so delicate and dreamy.