Written by For our Doodlewash prompt of “Shoes,” combined with the Inktober prompt of “Tread,” I ended up with a fast and furious doodle featuring the bottom of my shoes. As many of you know, I’m trying new things this month, so this was an exercise in speed and not belaboring lines and worry over precision, but just letting whatever happens happen. And, well, this is what happened. I don’t enjoy sketching people as much as I do animals, so I figured I should push myself there as well. I actually noticed there was a tiny bit of gum or something gross stuck in between one of the treads of my shoe. No idea how long it had been there, but I’m not in the habit of looking at the bottom of my shoes that often. So, this experience also taught me that I should do that more often. Whatever it was has now been cleaned off properly. And this is pretty much how I like to spend my weekend, especially lately. I’ve just been taking more time to relax a bit and practice the fine art of doing nothing much at all. It’s really quite wonderful and I’m always reminded how I should do this more often each time I allow myself the pleasure.
Philippe actually bought me a little gift in the form of a Nintendo Switch Lite in a lovely Doodlewash blue that was supposed to arrive yesterday, but was rescheduled for some time today. I’m quickly trying to get everything I have to complete finished so I can give it my full undivided attention when it arrives like any kid would do. The biggest difference, of course, is that this particular kid sports a size 11 shoe and a few more wrinkles that aren’t visible at this distance.
In truth, I technically already own a Nintendo Switch that Philippe bought for me on a birthday a couple of years ago. Before I could really start playing it, however, he commandeered it and it’s been his ever since. At the time, there weren’t that many games out that I wanted, but now there’s a ton, so I asked for a replacement. It will likely only be played at the very end of the day before I go to sleep, but I’m excited to geek out like I did when I was younger.
I’ve always loved video games, but never the kind with blood and gore and lots of shooting. I like the cute games with beautiful art and interesting storytelling that contain a wonderful narrative. What I’m most excited about are a few indie games that employ unique and wonderful art direction. There’s one that looks perfectly spooky in time for Halloween that’s all done in a pen and ink style! So, as odd as it seems, the games I’ve chosen are a sort of art class of various styles that will hopefully give me some good direction and ideas for my own art. All while I’m solving mysteries and puzzles before I get too tired to continue and drift off to sleep. When I was very young, I once thought I might grow up and make video games one day. Life didn’t work out in that direction, but I’ve always had a fondness for the story-driven games that I adored back then. Even if it means my mind is still going a mile a minute trying to solve something, it’s definitely a wonderful way of kicking back to relax.
Want To Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My Activity Book!
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Bezimida Orange, Ultramarine (Green Shade), and Cobalt Turquoise. 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! |
 |
|
Loving your doodles this month! Glad you’re taking a day to relax and enjoy life!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 I’m so happy you’re liking these… it’s quite a leap for me this month!
Great selfie, Charlie! I had a brief fling with video games in the 1990’s along the time of Doom and Myst. I quickly determined they were bad for me – isolating me from my friends, making me feel stupid about myself – the whole magilla. Fortunately, I was smart enough to kick them out of my life. I’ve never regretted it, though I do like watching the trailers for the artwork.
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 Glad you liked my selfie! hehe And yeah, video games are only something I dabble in. I’m no pro, like Philippe is… we tried to play Dr. Mario which I did with my best friend in high school and Philippe was too good at it. I said… “Nope!” going back to my own game now! lol
This is fantastic, Charlie. Yes, looking at the bottom of shows can be kinda gross sometimes. I do try not to track unwanted stuff into my house. My Berks stay inside and some shoes stay by the door at least in wet weather. I try to cut down on housework as I’d rather paint.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Glad you liked this! Yeah, Philippe has a closet upstairs for shoes, but they are now all downstairs near the front door in a shoe nest. lol
Love the selfie sketch!
Thanks so much, Zertab! 😃💕
Love that you are finding time to “do nothing” – so important! Love the perspective of the shoes. Very fun doodle!
Thanks so much, Bonnie! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one!
Fabulousssss!!!! Its awesome that you are trying things you would not usually. high five my friend!!!
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕 I really appreciate the encouragement. It’s been a touch daunting jumping entirely out of my comfort zone this month, but so much fun!
Love the perspective and the detail on the shoe bottoms!
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
I have four nephews and one young family friend that I can still see as young boys playing video games. I don’t know if they were in to the story kind, or the shoot em up kind, but now you have me curious. I guess I can kind of relate that to reading, which I did so much of as a kid. Stories are so powerful. And that’s to some degree what we do as artists.
Yeah, I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid. I always thought it was fun to interact with the story. So, that’s why I like those types of games. I don’t like shooting things though… hehe… just unraveling mysteries and wandering through lovely virtual environments. 😉
What a remarkable view of yourself: feet up and relaxing, just as you should. It’s part oft he balance of life that we must maintain. And have fun with your own Ninendo Switch; my daughter and her youngest son have a blast with their system, playing against each other. They are using the game to be tool to unite them. You and Philippe will have to find game that will challenge each other!
Thanks so much, Bob! 😃💕 Actually, Philippe and I tried to play together last night, but it was an old competitive game and he’s tooooo good! haha… later this month there’s a co-op game coming out where I can just be his little helper. That will work out much better! 😉
So many people lately, cool! Have fun with the Switch, lets hope Phineas doesn’t commandeer this one. And, knowing you, I wouldn’t rule out a video game at some point!
Thanks, Jacob! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, lots of humans are cropping up in my sketches… it’s my personal dare month! Still prefer sketching animals. lol Yeah, I’m keeping this Switch hidden so nobody in the family steals it. 😉 And actually there’s a game that’s just pen and ink art with only light animation that’s awesome. If I just knew how to code it, I would probably try! lol
I’m sure that’d be fun! It’d be hard to top Emu Lander, though 😉 Games are so inventive these days. One I saw footage of a few years back sticks out, called Puppeteer. It was a platform game presented like a puppet show – sets popping up, narrators and all that carry-on, and I think the audience reaction affected play. Quite clever!
Oh wow!! That sounds awesome!! Love the sounds of that game. Yeah… it’s nice to see there’s still a lot of cleverness happening and not just mainstream step and repeat! 😉
You did a fine job of inking and painting those size 11s.
I love the facial expression too. It lives and breathes.
Thanks, Sarah! 😃💕 I’m still not loving making self-portraits, except for the bit were I get to make myself look younger.