Written by For today’s Doodlewash prompt of “Ice,” paired with the Inktober prompt of “Freeze” I ended up with some penguins. I happened to see a video scroll by that was showing penguins jumping out of the water, across the ice, and sometimes just jumping in place. I don’t know what it was, but it sucked me in and more minutes later than I’m willing to admit, I had watched quite a few penguin videos. They are just the cutest creatures! So, I imagined a couple of them leaving the colony behind to embrace their individuality by leaping across the icy water together. Sort of like the movie Thelma & Louise, but with a much happier ending. It’s fun to try new things! I’m having a blast sketching my own made up scenes this month with a bit more ink and much more imagination. And, to top things off, the temperatures here have finally dropped and the chill of autumn has arrived! I may be part penguin as I adore cold weather, but I’m tragically less athletic. Still, I’m very gleeful about heading into a lovely fall weekend and I hope all of you have a fabulous weekend as well!
This was my first full scene this month in my inky new style, so I’m still trying to determine my favorite balance between ink and watercolor. My goal this month is to make sure that all of my ink sketches can stand on their own. My typical sketches are simple contours, letting watercolor rule the show, so this is something totally different for me. And I have lots of lots more practice to go before I’m feeling confident in my approach.
Yet, the fact that I actually started with a human rather than an animal this month shows just how committed I am to jumping out from my own personal norm. It’s wildly fun! I really do hope you’re enjoying these, of course, but I’m having so much fun it feels like I’m back at the beginning of my art journey. I’m learning bits about pen and ink drawing as I go, and hopping online to find a bit of a tutorial when I get stuck. I say a bit, because, yep, super short attention span, unless penguins are involved, but I can still learn quite a lot in five minutes. Today, though, I just played around with everything I’ve learned so far to see what might happen. And then some penguins appeared.
Tomorrow, Philippe and I are headed to the wedding of one of my best friends. She’s creative and awesome and I’m so thrilled to be there to celebrate. But, there will also be a crowd, which is something I typically avoid, much like these penguins. Thankfully, they’ll be lots of people I already know as I’m only good at rambling, not actually drumming up what those who know how to do it call “chit chat.” So, I hope to find someone in the midst that might like a real one-on-one conversation instead as I usually do. That said, I also think that in my current state of branching out, I should mingle a bit more than usual. Comfort zones are there to protect us, but sometimes that keep us from actually enjoying life to its fullest. Still, I don’t have any good opening lines for total strangers, so I’m completely at a disadvantage. Many choose sports as a commonality, but I don’t like them at all, so I’m already the uncommon one. Yet, I vow to not fly away this time, but stay and try some chit chat. Though, do let know in the comments if you happen to know any good icebreakers.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Vermilion, Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen (Broad Nib) with black ink 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! |
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Great penguins Charlie! Have fun at your friends wedding!. It’s out for breakfast for us than a flu shot for me. Not sure what else is on our agenda but checking out soon fall colors will likely be on the list.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕Yay to checking out fall colors! That sounds like a perfect day indeed!
Love the motion of the penguins in the foreground! Lol, I’m a complete failure when striking up a conversation with people. I forced myself to go to my husband’s colleague’s wedding last night and ended up exchanging pleasantries with some people I was already familiar with. Going to such places is definitely getting out of the comfort zone for me!
Thanks so much, Zertab! 😃💕 hehe… glad I’m no alone. I’m sure I’ll do fine, but won’t stay late…. those things exhaust me! 😊
Beautiful penguins and blue water. Ink and color are both great.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one!
Cuteeee!!! I hope you guys have a lot of fun at the wedding. 🙂
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕 I’m sure we’ll have fun! And yeah… escape early! hehe
Yeah, where’s a good penguin when you need to break this ice? Enjoy the wedding party, Charlie!
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, maybe they’ll be someone there who enjoys watercolor! hehe
I’m sure you’ll do just fine at the wedding Charlie. You can always talk about the beautiful bride!
I like that your penguins are leaping into the unknown. (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 Yeah, hoping the bride will be available. She’s my favorite!
Great painting. I’ve seen videos of penguins doing that.
Thanks, Gary! 😃💕 yeah, penguins are just the cutest when they jump around!
Hi, I’m Charlie, friend of the bride. How do you know ______ ? Questions, it’s all about questions. People love to talk about themselves. What do you do for a living? Where do you live? Where did you grow up? That’s so interesting, tell me more. I used to be quite introverted then I learned the key was to ask people about themselves and listen hard to the answers. Then feed off what they tell you to ask the next question. People will tell you quite intimate details about themselves if you show interest. Not creepy stuff, but stuff that’s important to them. They are just waiting for someone to ask, then show delight, or compassion, or whatever emotion fits. It’s almost like flirting. Toss in a compliment or two and you’ll be the life of the party. And if you get stuck with a bore, a slight flick of your eyes over their shoulder and say, oh, it was lovely talking to you, but I must excuse myself to catch up with ____. I hope we bump into each other again.
Great penguin scene!
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Glad you liked the penguins! And thanks for the advice! That’s so wise and so true! hehe… I’ll definitely be trying that!
Wonderful Doodlewash!! It’s difficult to NOT be mesmerized by videos of penguins; they’re just amazing creatures to watch.
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, penguins are just awesome creatures!
Lisa nailed it on how to do “ice breakers.” Just keep asking questions and listen to answers. Sooner or later you will discover someone with common ground.
Thanks, Laura! 😃💕 Yep, that’s great advice. That I can DO! hehe
You won’t be alone. No doubt there will be others thinking the same thing. I also agree with Lisa, ask questions. If you run out of questions, ask them, ” Hey did you see the show on the guy with the octopus?!” Either they will want to learn more or they will walk away. Problem solved! Hahaha!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 haha… if they watched the show on the guy with the octopus then I know they’re my people! lol 😉
Lovely penquins, they’re so cool, Charlie 🥰.
Thanks so much, Loan! 😃💕Glad you liked them!
Hey Charlie, Lisa had a lot of great input, and so did LoriCtoo. There is a short book called “How to Win Friends and Influence People” that has been around for awhile, but still applies. It is along the lines of what Lisa and LoriCtoo said. When you are finished reading it, you will be much more comfortable around people. It helped me understand too.
Thanks so much, Gwen! 😃💕 I remember that book! Yeah, I really do enjoy people, I’m just rather selective. 😊hehe If they love watercolor, we’ll be fast friends! lol
Love the penguins…have fun at the party,
and don’t forget Joey’s line (Friends) “how you doin’? (ok, maybe not)
Thanks! 😃💕 Haha! Yeah, I would seriously resort to Joey’s line in a pinch. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that and we had a lovely time at the party.