Written by Today’s prompt of “bones” was another one that seemed naturally beautiful and wonderful in theory, but rather difficult to decide what to sketch for it. Bare bones, though perfectly natural, can be rather macabre in a painting, so I added a bit more orange to brighten things up a bit. Adding to this, I had the least amount of time yet today to make a post, and so you have some random bones I found, sketched furiously fast in nearly a single contour line drawing and then lots of splashing around of four colors. Yet, I did manage to fill the page once more, so that’s definitely something. As I continue to experiment, this doodlewash was sort of freeing in that I literally just attacked the page and didn’t hold up until my time ran out, much like the subject matter. On the other hand, I do find bones rather fascinating as they represent the foundation of so many living creatures. They’re the building blocks that make us who we are, and hold that something together. But yeah, when laid bare like this, they’re also the signal of things to come. Best not to dwell on that bit too much though.
I initially considered sketching a dinosaur skeleton, but given my time constraints, opted out. But seeing a giant T-Rex reassembled at a natural history museum has always thrilled me. It’s incredible to think that something so gigantic once roamed this planet we call home. It’s equally comforting to think that birds are the only living dinosaurs we need to worry about these days and that they’ve shrunk to a less terrifying size. That said, when served a chicken for dinner, I truly prefer it to be decoupled from its carcass first. I’ve never much enjoyed the idea of eating meat directly off the bone, which is probably why, as an adult, most of my meals are largely vegetarian. But looking at bones, sans meat, is a rather interesting lesson in life. Though solid and strong, there’s a certain fragility to them that makes it incredible that we’re able to exist at all. So, I don’t know if I’ve done them justice in this blazingly fast rendition, but I do have an admiration for everything they represent.
I’m enjoying the freedom of these recent paintings. I’ve no idea whatsoever what I’m doing and approaching each one with no plan at all. Grab for an idea, and then jump in and see what happens next. Just a bunch of shapes and things in front of me that I attempt to put down on paper. In the middle of making these recent doodlewashes, I’ve gotten sort of lost in a good way. Each one is wonderfully random and not at all what I anticipated when I started. After to spending a year and half studiously sketching daily, I hope that I’ve laid some sort of foundation. Something I can use to help me jump forward and attempt things I haven’t tried before. Each scratch of the fountain pen and each flick of the brush takes me to something new. Though it’s been rather daunting, I just take a deep breath and remember it’s all just a little joyful exercise. All I have to do is have fun in the process, and always focus on getting a good start for each sketch by simply laying down the bones.
Join us for the February Doodlewash Adventure: Natural Beauty,
Click Here to Learn More!
About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Indian Yellow, Red Orange, Perylene Maroon, and Phthalocyanine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink and second pen with sepia ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
 |
|
Great picture. What I will look like if we don’t get rain tonight to break our drought.
Chris
Thanks, Chris! 😃 Lol… yikes… lets hope for some rain soon then!
Wonderful colors! I like to draw from bones but haven’t done it for a while. When I spot skulls or bones around here, I grab them! to some people it might be odd but they are great for drawing or just because. I am mostly vegetarian as well. I used to call myself one but since I do eat fish now and then, that disqualifies me.
Thanks so much, Margaret! 😃💕 I remember drawing bones years ago, but haven’t really done it much since. And I do love fish as well! hehe… I think that’s pescatarian… there’s a word for everything. 😉Lol
yep…..I choose not to use that word, makes me feel like something that crawled out of the sea! lol
Great picture.
Thanks so much! 😃💕
Love your loose lines and the play with your colors!
Thanks so much, Carmel! 😃💕 This one was the loosest I’ve done I think. Glad you liked it!
It isn’t easy for me to got outside my comfort zone but when I do, I learn so much!! 🎨👍😃 Awesome Doodlewash, Charlie!! 🌟 And adding orange always makes things better IMO! Lol! ✨😉
Thanks, Jill! 😃💕 Glad ya liked it! And you seem comfortable doing almost anything! It helps when your comfort zone is super broad! hehe
Well, I do like experimenting this is true but sometimes it would be good if I could focus more! 😳
Great bones I like the way you managed this! Great colors done well Charlie! 😉 <3
Thanks so much, Carolina! 😃💕 This was not a subject matter I would normally choose. Glad ya liked it!
Dem bones dem bones them dried bones……great work, the early fossil stage, we’ll it’s dead! So interesting and amazing the things that can be discovered from just a few bones. Congrats on the full page, and time control 😀
Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, bones are fascinating. As is trying to fill a page quickly. It’s been fun to see what happens as I have to give up control a bit.
Awesome job. The orange was the perfect choice.
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 Thought it would help the bones pop a bit more. hehe
It surely dod
This has a wonderful freedom to the lines. I find bones endlessly interesting too. The little touches of color for the shadows work well too. (K)
Aww thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕 I felt really free on this one… glad it showed. It was fun to just let my fountain pen squiggle around and hope something bone-like popped out! hehe
You already started out with talent but have grown by leaps and bounds due to your dedication to the craft! Terrific bones painting! <3
What sweet thing to say!! Thanks, Teresa!! 😃💕 I just keep painting each day and can’t tell if I’m getting better at all. hehe Glad you think so!
What a wonderful, non-macabre take on “bones,” Charlie! Although I hope that someday when you have more time you will still tackle a T-Rex, this beautiful little painting really does capture the freedom and joy you describe in your post. Also, it looks like it’s smiling just a little bit! I hope my skull also looks like it’s smiling when I’m done with it. 🙂
Thanks so much, H.! 😃💕 I’m so happy you liked this one! It was definitely an unusual subject matter for me so I didn’t know how to approach it. But yeah… I think we all deserve a smiling skull in the end! hehe
fabulous design! loved the touch of ink work you used as well Charlie, very lovely painting you have done !! 🙂 cheers, Debi
Thanks so much, Debi! 😃💕 It was fun to get fast and loose with my beloved fountain pen! hehe
fun and free! 🙂
Made me think of Camille Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre – all those bones having a wonderful time at the party since no one has to worry about how they’ll feel the next morning. I know you get it because look at the grin on this character.
Again, your writing is as entertaining and thought provoking as your art – two creative ends on the edges of a brilliant mind.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 hehe… this was definitely not a subject matter I would normally choose, so it was really fun to see where it might take me. I’m enjoying the truly unexpected this month! Glad you are as well! 😉