Dog Portrait Happy New Year 2020 Watercolor Illustration
By Charlie

Happy New Year!

Written by Charlie O'Shields

For our final prompt this month of “Drinks,” I just really wanted to sketch a dog, so this is what we ended up with. Though, yes, I will indeed be having champagne later this evening to toast and welcome in the New Year. And I hope that all of you are celebrating in whatever way you enjoy most as we herald in both a shiny new year and a brand new decade. Happy New Year to all! Also, a huge hug to everyone who’s participated in the December challenge! Thanks for giving us all inspiration to show up and make something each day. And I hope you’ll keep right on sketching with me in January for our “Colorful Things” challenge which is up next! Yeah, it’s my secret hope that you all become just as hooked on daily sketching as I am and never, ever stop. It’s just too much fun, and way more fun when we DO it together. It’s always exciting starting a new year, fresh with possibilities. And though I still haven’t quite figured out what’s on my own list of things I hope to accomplish, I’m sure it will be something cool. One thing is always certain. It’s going to be a very wonderful journey ahead.

Tonight, Philippe and I will enjoy our annual tradition of having a bottle of champagne along with caviar and blinis. That’s really the main thing that repeats itself, though, we will also be having an actual dinner, of course. Philippe said he was going to bake a cake, but informed me that he’s missing some ingredients, so it might be a crème brûlée instead. He first said that he was out of cream and I told him that’s simply not possible and then magically produced a fresh carton. I always make sure there’s one hidden in the refrigerator at all times. You just never know when you’ll need whipped cream. All of these festivities will begin shortly and we’ll both be in bed before midnight. Sometimes, we’re actually still awake when the coming year arrives. In many ways, for us, it’s more about celebrating another fun year that we just had together and our final little annual holiday tradition. It’s the last evening for our sparkling holiday lights, though we still keep the candles around to light up the dark winter nights. And, best of all, we’re both off work tomorrow so we’ll get to sleep in.

And as I look back on this past year, I want to thank you, dear reader, for stopping by to peruse my daily writing and illustration. Though my daily sketching habit couldn’t be stopped if I tried, your encouragement to keep on writing has meant the world to me. When I started this blog I never really expected anyone would be interested in what I had to sketch, much less what I had to say. But, like that earnest and persistent little kid I’ve always been, I just defiantly kept on showing up anyway. That’s the greatest lesson that I’ve learned on this journey. If you have something you’d like to share with the world, by all means share it. As the years come and go, the only thing I’ll ever truly regret are the things I didn’t DO in this life. So, I’m determined to keep on trying and chasing all of those new ideas that keep popping into my head. Yet, as the final hours of the year come to a close, I’m simply focusing on these last happy minutes and wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Staedtler Pigment Liners in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. 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!
 Dog Portrait Happy New Year 2020 Watercolor Illustration Sketchbook Detail

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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67 thoughts on “Happy New Year!”

  9. Charlie says, “As the years come and go, the only thing I’ll ever truly regret are the things I didn’t DO in this life”

    two thumbs up for what you DO!

    Happy New Year to you and Philippe and to Phineas…

    (and of course to Michael, and Bob and Cindy)

    wishing you peace and love and joy the whole year through

    Reply

  10. Happy New Year to you, Philippe, and Phineas! Thanks to you that I’ve been able to do one sketch every day. You and all the members have been a huge source of inspiration. Here’s to a new decade of more and better watercolors!

    Reply

  11. and that puppy dog looks as if somebody might have spiked his kibble.
    He is preciously huggable even if, as I suspect, he has over-imbibed
    just a bit. I love everything about him from the reflection in his eyes
    to his reporter’s hat. Super!!

    Reply

  12. Just watched a performance by the New York Philharmonic – Live from Lincoln Center. Fantastic. It’s true – you never know when you will need some whipping cream. Always keep some stashed in the fridge. Happy New year Charlie O’Shields.

    Reply

  16. May it be a healthy, happy, adventurous New Year for all of you and may there be peace and justice in the world. Oh, and plenty of fresh water. This darling little doggie can’t get along without it – neither can the rest of us.

    Reply

  19. Happy New Year! I came across someone’s comment that this is the year of clarity and vision because 20/20. I love that! We had friends for prime rib dinner tonight. I cooked it perfectly this year which always makes me happy. Plus leftovers! Yay! And your pup is wonderful. !

    Reply

  20. Happy New Year Charlie. Where you get all those fabulous ideas for painting every day is a wonder to me! Each time I see your post in my emails, I know it will be something worth seeing and reading. Thank you!

    Reply

  22. Happy New Year, Charlie! And you are genius for always having cream on hand – as well as for painting this wonderful puppy ready to celebrate! All the best in the coming year!

    Reply

  23. Happy New Year friend! Here’s to a glorious 2020! Your pup is darling with those big eyes. Off to start my first sketch of the new year!

    Reply

  24. Happy New year Charlie… You know, I celebrate New year twice… I did it in the Jewish feast of Yom Teruaj back in Sept-Oct when our year started (Year 5780) and today Jan 01 with 2020. So I do both… I hope this new year will be special, we just started a new decade.

    Reply

  26. Love your dog with his water…and yes I am becoming addicted to painting sketching drawing daily and the support and encouragement of you and this group is absolutely amazing…thanks so much for all you do and A very happy new year to you and yours!

    Reply

  28. I love your work and have bought out my water colours, your work is inspiring, May the New Year see your needs met and your amazing talent continue to bring delight to people like me!

    Reply

  29. Happy new year to you all too!
    Blini with caviar sounds delicious. I think. I never had that.
    My cat was very afraid from all the loud bangs from the firework. For the first time in his life I was not at home (10 years) and celebrated new years eve with some friends. Luckily the next day he was okay again.
    I love the expression on the dogs face. It’s great.
    Is there a group where you can post the prompt, if you made / painted… one? I’ll just upload mine ( my fav. drink) in my profile 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Heidi! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this! And yeah, our dog Phineas is not a fan of the fireworks either. You can simply upload your challenge images on Doodlewash… or also you can upload to an Instagram account and then use and follow the hashtag #doodlewashJanuary2020 this month. Prompts are always optional, so there isn’t a prompt-only group, but most folks including myself follow them because it’s fun! 😉 Here’s the latest prompts for January just in case you need them – https://doodlewash.com/january-2020-art-challenge-colorful-things/

      Reply

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