Written by Today ended up quite busy, so I made a fast and loose doodlewash of one of my favorite treats when visiting Paris – saucisson sec. Last night we went with our friend to one of my favorite restaurants, Le 14 Juillet, and had an amazing meal that started with this wonderful treat. I’m determined to sketch something other than food while I’m here, but since food is my favorite part of visiting Paris, I need to get it out of my system. Saucisson sec is a type of dried cured sausage that originated in France and it’s difficult to find the exact equivalent in the states. That said, I ended up finding it extremely difficult to sketch, while moving so quickly that I’m not sure if it actually looks like meat or something else entirely. The cutlery looks rather knife and forkish so I guess that’s good at least.
Today, I bought a little black metal tin of 12 Sennelier pans while visiting Couleurs Du Quai on the Seine, but they look like little candies and I wanted to break them in when I had more time to use them properly. The store was so cool and felt like visiting an antique book store more than an art supply store.
There were also a couple sketchbooks I’ve not found in the states, so I bought a small spiral sketchbook filled with Arches watercolor paper as well as a little deck of Arches postcards. The latter, of course, is intended for use here so I can actually mail them to friends, but like all good intentions we’ll see if that’s how things actually play out.
Tonight was spent with our dear friend and one of the earliest guest doodlewashers, Sandrine, so it was a lovely end to a rather perfect day. It’s a blast to live here for a moment, relaxing, shopping and having friends round. Each day we go to the grocery and get that day’s food and, of course, a fresh baguette for the morning. It’s nearly time for bed, and I’m making my doodlewash and writing these words while Philippe is watching television. Currently in the background, I can hear Homer Simpson rambling on about something in French so everything seems rather perfect, if not a little absurd. A travel memory that feels less like travel and more like we’ve just given our regular life a little change of scenery. And that’s probably what I love most of all.
Join us for the September Doodlewash Adventure: Travel Memories,
Click Here to Learn More!
About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Perylene Maroon, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal. |
 |
|
First up, I love that shelf. The meal looks divine. How lucky you are to be able to hang out in Paris. Sounds like you had a fantastic time. Best wishes.
Awww thanks so much! I really appreciate it! 😃💕 It’s been incredibly fun so far! Though I’m exhausted and jet lagged, I’ve also super happy!
I’m SO envious–Paris c’est magnifique dans toute les facons!!! I know I screwed that up, but seriously, can’t wait to see your posts from this trip!!! <3
Hehe… I won’t even try French as I’m totally going to screw thing up, so I’ll just say merci beaucoup, Eric!!😃💕 I’m curious to see what comes out myself! hehe
Very pretty! Loving your food illustrations on this trip. I hope you’re having an amazing time!. The art store looks like a fantastic stop (although incredibly dangerous for my wallet 😛 ).
Thanks so much, Annie! 😃💕hehe… art stores are totaly dangerous anytime! Lol But more so when you’re on vacation and looking for souvenirs.
Yup I am envious. 🙂
hehe…. it’s truly been a fabulous and much needed trip!!😃💕
Definitely meaty and definitely knife and fork-ish (yay for both)! And what a charming shop, full of temptations. It must have been hard not to spend even more in there!
Homer en français is fun. I often watch episodes with French or German audio because it’s like a completely different programme!
Hehe… thanks Jacob! 😃💕 lol… yeah it’s totally like watching a new show when it’s in French. The weirdest part, when it’s an American show, is the that voices change so drastically. I can say I definitely prefer American voices. hehe
fun fun fun! glad you’re having a great time in Paris- food, friends, art shops 🙂 oh, did I forget that one thing… oh yes. A nice glass of wine….. there. perfect!! keep sending us your stories Charlie !
Thanks, Debi! 😃💕Hehe… Oh… there’s plenty of wine to go around! And it’s soooo cheap here in compairson!! It’s like winning a lottery! Lol Loving every minute!
you are making me laugh!! I’m happy for you…. just picturing all that French vino and pleasant company. You guys going out to tour the villages and countryside vineyards?
Probably not… too booked with family and friends to get much time to venture out on our own for too long. But it’s so fun as we love them and they’re awesome and fun people, so it’s a totally perfect trip! hehe
fun is right! 🙂
Spent several days honeymooning in Paris. Didn’t think to check out the art stores but the food was divine! Another nice memory. Thank you Charlie!
Awww… that’s so wonderful that you honeymooned here! Fabulous! Glad this brought back great memories! 😃💕
Love your sketch but I must admit, the trip to the art store looks awesome. Thanks for the photos. Loving your trip.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 hehe… yeah.. it was totally fun! I love that I’m sketching and painting this time when I’m here. I have a mission now… to visit all the art stores I can! lol
How did you get out of that art shop with so little? Well done! Do keep painting food; a trip to Paris is long overdue for me and seeing French food tugs at my sleeve.
Yeah… I’m still have a lot of restraint when it comes to art supplies. Lol I like certain things and that’s what I tend to stick with. I am, however, on the hunt for a new awesome sketchbook. We’ll see what happens. But sounds like you definitely need to get to Paris SOON, Michael! 😃
sounds like another perfect day in paris paradise! YAY! <3
Oui, oui!! hehe… having such a wonderful time here! 😃💕
I bought those postcards!
The tin sounds perfect.
Have fun..
Yay! hehe… yeah… I figured even if I didn’t like the colors, the tin itself is so perfect! But I do actually like the colors. About to post the experiment now! Thanks, Monique! 😃💕
Sounds like a fabulous day!! 💜😃👍 Great (French) food, good friends and an art supply store!! Where’s the wine?! Lol! 😉🍷💕 Cheers Charlie! 😍
Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕 Haha… are you kidding? The wine is there every evening!! Lol Sooooo inexpensive and sooooo good!
Sounds like a fun holiday, and I’m envious of that art shop!
hehe…. thanks, Lindsay! 😃 It was totally cool and now, of course, I’m set on going to several more. Luckily I only paint in one medium or I’d go broke buying new little things everywhere. 😊
Charlie it’s so good to read about your trip with your beautiful illustrations and photos! Great finds about Arches paper cards! Looking forward to your next post! Au Revoir <3 😉
Merci beaucoup, Carolina! 😃💕 It’s just so fun! Love being here now that I’ve started painting and sketching. It’s like a little kid going to a candy store!
I am sure that you’re having wonderful time there, just breathing that Parisienne atmosphere looking around. There is so much to sketch also if you are just seat in a café Bistrot…<3
The saucisson is difficult to paint I can understand with those mixture inside!
The knife and fork are looking even more shimmery then you always do, ready for eating very good; did you use the new Senneliers?
A bit feeling like home sounds very good for me on your stay in Paris.
Keep it that way Charlie, wish you another great day!
Thanks so much, Margriet! 😃💕 Glad you’re enjoying these posts… I have to admit that it’s rather different to try to post remotely as this is the first big trip I’ve taken since I started painting last year! I just used the new Sennelier paints today! Posting the result tonight!
So beautiful painting of desirable meat. We like so much saucisson sec !! Red label of course !! My daughter is crazy about it and as she lives in Montreal for a while, I HAVE to send her saucisson sec with anything I send her in a correct packaging. Once, she returned in Canada with one in her luggage and the custom office take it (but could not eat it, the had to throw it out,!! Shame on them !) She cried !!
Sennelier is a very nice art shop. But it’s really difficult to move as their is so much things here and there ;)) No space free ! Nice Weekend Charlie !
Thanks so much, Laurence! 😃 Oh no!! That’s horrible that they stole her saucisson sec!! I think I would probably cry too! And yes… it’s a super small shop, but thankfully not many people there at the time. It was Sunday today, so everything is closed, but wanting to check out Adam tomorrow!
Google it before(Adam’s shop) to see if it’s open, many shops can be closed on Monday too, allas !!
They were open!! hehe… and I got 3 new half pans for my Sennelier box to replace some colors. Actually… I managed to squeeze in 2 extra so I now have 14! 😃
Looks like a gem of a shop, small and packed with goodies 😀
It was!! So much fun! I’m planning to hit more art stores while I’m here. That’s why I showed so much restraint shopping at this one! Lol 😃💕
Well done, I saw my fav arches pad in one of those photos, I wanted to reach in and grab it 😀
hehe… it might be the one I grabbed! Lol Haven’t tried it yet though.
Ohh eeee, exciting 😀😀😀 I love the orange pad, sealed at each edge so I can use loads of water 😀
Nice watercolor Charlie! Miam miam, I love saucisson too! This with a proper French baguette and all the time in the world to savour (yum yum) 🙂
So good isn’t it?? I love it! Granted… to eat food in Paris you have to commit to walking like a Parisian or it all sits on your hips! Lol 😊
haha, now you’re just teasing me, saucisson sec and a wonderful looking art store! I’m going to have to make a note of that place as it looks just my kind of store!
haha! Yes! just visit the art stores and eat saucisson and all will be beautiful. Of course, a little wine in addition to make thing truly perfect! 😉
thanks for the photos of paris – lovely doodlewash and very interesting article and also the photos – wonderful
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you’re enjoying these!
I want to visit that shop! The treat looks good. Nice job on the silverware.
Thanks!! So many wonderful shops there! 😃💕