Written by Today we have one of my favorite vegetables to consume this time of year. Last night, we had leek soup and it was delicious! I’m always amazed at how a few simple ingredients put together in just the right way can come out tasting so brilliantly good. At least, when someone, unlike myself, who can actually cook manages to do it. And the leek has a long history of cultivation. So far back in time, in fact, that the guys who built the Egyptian pyramids were very likely eating them as well. It’s also one of the national symbols of Wales, and even got a mention by Shakespeare in his play, Henry V. So, perhaps it’s fitting as we near the end of our Celebration of Food that we take a little moment and honor this ancient veggie. And if you’re curious about what’s up next for December, just jump to the bottom of this post!
Seriously, you can jump past this bit. I honestly don’t have much more to say about leeks. Sometimes I find with these prompts that, although I always enjoy painting the subject matter, a story about said subject matter doesn’t always leap forward. I can say that one thing this and several other vegetables share in common is that my love for them only came as an adult. In fact, I’m sure leeks made an appearance at some point when I was a kid, but they were probably buried deep in a recipe of some kind and nearly indistinguishable. To enjoy them nearly on their own today is a brand new thing for me. With the holidays around the corner, I’m rapidly turning into a kid again, but I’m so glad that my taste in food has become rather grown up.
Tomorrow is the last day of this month’s adventure. It’s been a deliciously fun month and so wonderful to see everyone’s culinary work! On paper at least! I’m sure if you were sketching from life, the real thing was equally delicious. Thanks to everyone who joined in on this month’s adventure and I hope you’ll join in December as well. Next up, it’s time to celebrate the season and take a trip through a winter wonderland, filled with colder weather and even warmer moments with friends and family. Join me as we take a little tour through some of the key icons of the season. There are always lots of memories made this time of year so what better way to preserve them than with a lovely bit of watercolor. Throughout December, let’s share in some wonderful memories and paint some new ones together!
Join us for the December Doodlewash Adventure: Winter Wonderland,
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About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Indian Yellow, Phthalo. Green Light, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Deep. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
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Charlie, your leeks are beautiful! Regarding cooking them, I have no idea…I’ll just enjoy your Doodlewash!
hehe… I’ve no idea how to cook them either. Philippe does that! But I do love to eat them! Glad you enjoyed the doodlewash, Cathe! 😃💕
Charlie, you made this humble vegetable look like royalty – such a lovely shade of green. A friend made leek and potato soup yesterday so I got a delicious bowl of it as well. Must have been something in the air!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 And yay!! Thrilled you got to indulge in some soup! It’s my favorite I think… so delicious!!
I love your drawing, and leeks are one of my favourite vegetables too. They are plentiful in the UK at this time of year. I like them stir fried In a little olive oil, or sautéed with a little creme fraiche stirred in. Yesterday I made leek and potato soup for lunch.
Thanks, Georgie! 😃💕 Your description just made me hungry!! YUM!!
Charlie, if your ears are ringing (again), I was just writing about you in my final November prompt post. Thank you so much for the push to paint food everyday. I really learned a lot and will be a lot less intimidated and possibly inspired by a plate of vegetables. 😂 I’ll definitely be painting a bunch of your December prompts. I’m already thinking about the sweater one. Hmm maybe an ugly sweater? Here is my recap if you want to read it https://mycreativeresolution.com/2016/11/30/30-days-of-food-in-watercolor/ Thanks again! Eileen
Awww thanks for the lovely note, Eileen! 😃💕And Yay!! I’ll check out the post! Congrats on completing the challenge!! And yes to Ugly Sweater!! I originally had that as the prompt, but I have to be careful now that we’re global… wasn’t sure if everyone would get the joke!
You are welcome! I like that your prompts are open to interpretation, that it just says sweater and then I see “ugly sweater.” Makes it interesting. Thanks again for the motivation. Btw technical question. I notice you are really good at making things shiny. Any tips? Does leaving white areas do it? Do you leave areas white from the beginning or use frisket to protect those areas?
Sorry for the delay…I’m traveling again…now in Texas! Hehe For shiny I just use the paper white, but mostly because I’m too busy and lazy to bother with masking fluid. Hehe That said, it’s all about pushing the contrast. I sketch every little shape I see in the reflections and then paint them, pushing the darks as much as possible to make the whites seem whiter. Any chance to put nearly black next to white also increases the contrast. With glass you have to be a little subtler or it will start to look like metal, but if you’re painting metal…just go for it! The more contrast the better! And many of the shapes are not intuitive…draw exactly what you see, not what you’d expect it to be. I’m always surprised by the result that way. Not sure if that’s helpful, but that’s how I approach it! Hehe
Thanks Charlie, that is extremely helpful – drawing the shapes of the reflections. I’m trying to be better about highlights and shadows, but I often add them at the end. I’m realizing I need to think about them from the start. Enjoy your travels and thanks for the advice!