Written by For Day 18 of World Watercolor Month and our optional prompt of “Resistance,” I sketched a little kitten tugging on a piece of fabric. I’m not sure if there’s a human owner at the other end or instead, it’s just a piece of something larger that the human wishes the kitten had avoided entirely. But, either way, it’s difficult to get truly angry at a baby animal. They’re just answering their instincts. Unlike babies, as grown-ups, we often try to avoid things we enjoy on purpose. This seems perfectly counterintuitive on the surface, but it’s often referred to as self-control. Like avoiding those donuts at work no matter how good they look, because they will totally wreck that diet. Or, limiting your screen time on the phone in order to reclaim just a bit more peace and sanity in life. There’s usually always a sensible reason to avoid doing certain things you find enjoyable. But sometimes, I find myself feeling like I’m not in the mood to sketch stuff. This type of resistance, of course, is perfectly ridiculous.
In truth, making something in my sketchbook is certainly the one thing I should insist on doing each day. It makes me feel happy and fulfilled in a way that almost nothing else can. Yet, unlike gobbling through that last donut I found in the conference room at work, it can feel difficult to do on some days. This is actually why, outside of World Watercolor Month, I shifted to weekly posts. That gave me time and space to not only work on more books, but to make doodles that I’ve no intention of sharing with the rest of the world. Little silly doodles and ideas that I don’t have to quickly form into a presentable piece of words and art roughly matching my current look and style. It’s very freeing and allows me to use my sketchbook as a true playground with no pre-conceived expectations. Mindless doodling is a very productive approach and can help get my hand moving and my brain working so that I feel inspired to create even more!
That said, if I ever do share any of those super secret doodles and ideas, it would be via my newsletter over at Sketching Stuff (if you’re curious and haven’t yet, I hope you’ll sign up for it by clicking here!). In that newsletter, I’m currently offering up a bi-weekly personal letter and a bit of creative inspiration for sketching and writing. It’s my sincere hope to inspire people to push past any sort of resistance they feel when it comes to making stuff. We’re all born creative makers, and there’s really no good reason to stop as we grow older. Often, I’ll often look over and see Philippe doodling on his iPad while we’re watching something on television, and it always makes me smile. Sometimes, he shows me what he makes and sometimes he doesn’t. And, that’s totally fine! I just really enjoy being in a relationship with someone who also enjoys staying creative in life. It makes life richer and much more fun. Also, I’ve found that when someone is being their true creative self, it makes them rather hard to resist!
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Opus (Vivid Pink), Leaf Green, Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise, Ultramarine (Green Shade), and Indigo. ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Click Here! |
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I know the feeling of resistance very well – one of the reasons I paint a postcard for my husband’s lunchbag each day. It’s for someone else, so I feel like I need to do it even when I don’t wanna.
You are a genius!
That’s a wonderful approach indeed! Way better when it’s for someone you love! 😃💕
Sweet Doodle tonight, Charlie! I have no problem resisting that resistance band but resisting my paintbrush and paints is a whole other story. Even if it’s only 15 or 20 minutes a day after supper it’s my gift of time to me. And if I can sneak in a little extra time during the day….I won’t be able to resist that either. 😊
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yay for sneaking in that little bit of time. A little bit of painting time goes a long way when it comes to making happy happen!
Lovely work
Thanks so much, Wendy! 😃💕
Nice doodle, Charlie
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
Hola, mi amigo, Charlie! Such a cute kitty and a great write up. I just signed up for your newsletter. How did I not know about it? 😂😂😂 I really do need to try more to improve my watercoloring skills. Of course, I haven’t made a card in a long time. Did you know that my gorgeous love Johnny Depp creates with watercolors sometimes?? 😍😍😍 He’s very talented, too. You know, outside of being gorgeous. 😂😂😂
Hola, mi amiga! 😃💕 Yeah, I keep mentioning the newsletter when I can so folks know about it! Oh wow… that’s awesome. I did not know that. Too fun! And yes, you should definitely keep watercoloring!! Hugs to you!!
Charlie, you look so cute in your kid picture. Awww, Charlie. Cutie-patootie!
Aww… thanks! hehe 😊
Just so adorable like your other cheeky critters 🥰
Thanks so much, Eila! 😃💕
Another adorable character!! Love your work.
Thanks so much, Karen!! 😃💕
Hello Charlie,
That kitten is trying desperately to pull at a tablecloth to the tiny mountain of donuts placed out of its reach. 😉 I know I would’ve tried. Your post reminded me of a story about the illustrator Maurice Sendak who had once said that he got his greatest compliment when a boy’s mother told him that her son loved Mr. Sendak’s sketch so much, he ate it! That was what propmpted him to sketch anew everyday till he was alive! So keep sketching Charlie, even if you feel resistance… there is a little boy or girl out there waiting to eat the ice creams you paint. 🙂
Love,
Mugdha
Oh wow! I love that Maurice Sendak story! I hadn’t heard that. That’s so inspiring! Thanks for that, Mugdha. Much love to you! 😃💕