Written by When faced with a prompt of “kitten” I was going to attempt something with a bowl of milk, but as ever, got distracted by seeing an actual kitten. He’s still patiently waiting for that milk, since this is all I had time to make, so I hope you’ll be kind enough to give him some. I’ve always struggled with sketching cats, though that’s a bit of an overstatement as this is only the fifth time I’ve ever attempted one. So, I wanted to give it another go. I’ve never actually owned a cat, preferring dogs instead, but I find them adorable and still enjoy watching their antics on those videos that get passed around. But the baby version of any animal always makes my heart melt. I love those innocent eyes that seem a bit too large, waiting for the body to grow and catch up to them. The look of complete wonder that comes with seeing things for the very first time. That blissful time before any judgements can be made and everything is just beautifully new and wonderful. I think that’s why I like to approach my paintings with the eyes of a child. Pretending, just for a moment, that I’ve never before encountered what’s in front of me.
It’s fun to look back through all of the various sketches that I’ve made. Even though it hasn’t quite been two years since I first picked up a pen and brush, my daily painting habit has generated over 650 paintings. The originals are mostly small, and trapped inside a little tower of sketchbooks in the corner. People have asked me what I’m going to do with all of them, but I haven’t a clue. I actually consider this blog my real sketchbook. It’s where you’ll find my little rambles and thoughts I had the day I was making whatever little bit of stuff I decided to doodlewash that day. Yeah, you’re totally reading my diary that I forgot to lock you cheeky devil you! But that’s the fun part about blogging. It’s like having an art journal with endless pages and a search function. And since I can’t remember all that I’ve painted at this point, that’s rather helpful. But no matter how much I paint the same or similar subject, I always force myself to pretend I’ve stumbled across for the very first time.
This childlike feeling that comes from looking at things this way is what keeps me motivated to sketch, paint, and write. Without it, I’d likely get bored. Looking at things this way always keeps things fresh and exciting, and helps me to not repeat the same mistakes. That’s part of the reason why I’m primarily focusing on edibles this month. I want to try things I’ve done before to see what new things I can discover. I’ve doodlewashed lots of beverages in various glasses, but each one teaches me something that I didn’t realize before. A new thing that I can enjoy as though I were a small child finding it for the very first time. And it’s equally possible with this mindset that you’ll get a bit distracted. That’s also part of the fun. After sketching a bit of hummingbird cake during your edibles series, your inner child might just scream out and simply demand that you stop what you’re doing and take a little kitten break!
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Indian Yellow, Red Orange, Sennelier Red, Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalo. Green Pale, Burnt Sienna, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al-Star Fountain Pen – Extra Fine,
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with Platinum Carbon black ink in an A6 
Such a sweet and adorable portrait. You’ve captured the quality of the wee beasties that is the reason why I cannot go near a pet store any time they are running an adoption event.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 I’m the same, not with cats, but with dogs… I can’t go near events like that! I want them all! lol
Oh I am a sucker for dogs too. Any animals actually. It is just that we already have cats so it would be all too easy to think “just one more” every time.
Lol.. gotcha! Yeah… I never got to that point with dogs. They’re high maintenance… I can’t even imagine having two! hehe
Well..yours is adorable.Mine looked like an EWOK.:(
Thanks, Monique!!😃💕 What? Ewoks are soooo adorable, that’s a good thing!! hehe
Charlie your kitten is adorable. All wide eyed and full of mischief. I am waiting to see what you discover next. Salad?
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, it’s back to food for a bit. I just couldn’t resist painting a little kitten.
Any time is a good time for a kitten break! <3 It's a cutie!
It is, right? hehe… thanks so much, Teresa! Glad you liked this little critter. 😃💕
He is lovely and so sweet! <3 😉
Thanks so much, Carolina! Happy you liked him! 😃💕
Those eyes! 650! That’s impressive. Good on you for sticking with a daily sketch/paint habit.
Thanks, Kayla! 😃💕 Hehe… at that number I guess it qualifies as a full on addiction, but it’s sooooo fun!! hehe
I immediately laughed seeing the kitten…so darn cunnin’….that’s a Maine expressive word for God Loving Cute..and your words usually make me smile or even get teary..
Aww thanks so much! 😃💕 I’m so happy you like my writing as well. And hehe… yeah there’s nothing like a tiny kitten expression. I knew I had to try to sketch it!
Your kitten painting is really beautiful – the soft fur, the huge eyes, the pink ears, and everything baby out of proportion. I think you’ve grasped the truth of being a great artist or at least one in the making – it’s finding the fresh wonderment of your subject. Great artists do this no matter how many times they’ve painted a similar or even the same object. They find the newness and excitement at its core and paint it with an approach only meant for that one painting. This is true even of artists who paint non-objective art.
As ever, as much as I’m enchanted by your art every day, Charlie, it’s your story that really makes Doodlewash so compelling.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Had to take my kitten break! hehe But yeah, it’s always approaching things with fresh eyes that makes art amazing. It’s the most wonderful feeling to look at something and think, “are you kidding me… I never saw that before!” hehe
It’s perfect. I acquired a kitten almost a year ago when I helped out a friend who took in a stray that ended up being pregnant. So I’ve seen a lot of kitten over this past year. You nailed it. Adorable.
Awww thanks! 😃💕 I’m a dog person and never owned a cat, so I was hoping I captured it for cat lovers! Yay!
adorbs!!!!!
Thanks so much, Jodi!! 😃💕
I agree, any baby animals melt my heart too! ❤ I think your kitten turned out wonderful Charlie! 🐈🐾
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 The sketch started out a little crazy looking, but I was happy with the final result! hehe… cats are so tough! Glad you liked him! (her? hard to tell)
I have 3 little kittens, but my mom throw them away. And it’s sad
Oh no! So sorry to hear that! 😟
Mr Midnight, Sir Winston and myself love your work. Mr Midnight and Sir Winston especially like it because you painted their favourite animal – namely the cat. Thank you for posting. Meow, purr purr and kind regards from our blog “Gilmours Nice Place”. 🙂
Why thank you so much!! That’s brilliant to have two paws up from Mr Midnight and Sir Winston! Appreciate it! 😃💕
We all think you´re a very talented young man! 🙂 Thank you for the reply. My “two lads” were purring very loud when they received your reply. 🙂
hehe! Aww… you’re too sweet to say that! Particularly the “young” part… hehe… And glad I got a purrr as well!
Love it!
Thanks so much, Jackie! 😃💕
Thanks for the smiles this morning Charlie! We’re back (sort of). (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 And yay! Welcome back… I took an unexpected break from visiting blogs lately. Too much adult life stuff to take care of. Yucky!! hehe
It’s overwhelming.
That is very nice painting, the eyes are captivating!
Aww thanks so much! Glad you liked it! 😃💕
Nicest thing ever
Thanks so much! 😃💕
oh my god thats so cute 🙂
Thanks so much! 😃💕