Written by I’ve made it to lovely Paris, spent the morning with family and just got home from spending a fabulous evening with a dear friend. Once we arrived at our apartment for the next two weeks, the lovely owner treated us to espresso and a pain au chocolat so I made a quick doodlewash of it to share. What makes it all so remarkable is that I’ve somehow managed to do all of this on just 2 hours of sleep. This is because I find it impossible to sleep on planes and only managed a short nap today. I’ve absolutely no understanding of what time it actually is right now, but am attempting to speed type this before my battery runs out entirely. But as tired as I am, it feels great to be here enjoying a lovely break and getting my first taste of french pastry, while drinking more espresso than I probably should in order to keep moving through it all.
What I love about this trip is that it’s simply a new place to escape and sketch. There are no firm plans and no rush to see anything in particular as I’ve hit the major tourist sites plenty of times. This trip is simply about living in Paris for a bit and enjoying the simple things around me. Sure, I’m definitely going to hit the nearby Sennelier store as soon as I get a chance (tomorrow!), and I packed nearly nothing in anticipation of visiting my favorite clothing store, Jules, so I’ll definitely have to shop there soon to find something to wear. But everything else will just happen as it happens. To me, that’s the best way to spend a little bit of time off. Just letting the next thing you do choose you instead of the other way around.
So this post and future posts while I’m here will show up a bit earlier than usual, but I’m still going to try to make a post each day because I enjoy the challenge. Even though I didn’t have a plan for how things would be had they gone right, I can definitely say that everything so far has been perfect. The weather is lovely and I’m happier than ever. Just one confession, this is actually Philippe’s pastry because there was only one and he loves chocolate more than I do so I chose the plainer version. Sketching someone else’s food is the only way I could possibly do it live as I don’t have the restraint to wait that long when it comes to my own. Philippe’s mother has requested that I speak more French, so for the remainder of my trip the post titles, at least, will be entirely in French. Eventually, I know I’ll learn to speak the language properly, but for now, I’m just happy to be in my other home, having a little taste of pastry.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Azo Orange, Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal. |
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Perfect drawing ! Merci pour le titre français 😉
Sennelier is a lovely place for art supplies but I can tell you that the best prices and choice (so many brand) is “Le Géant des Beaux Arts”. 2 adresses in Paris
-166 Rue de la Roquette 11ème
– 15 rue Verginaud 13ème.
I always order on the website (huge) and don’t know if those shops are little or tall, but I think for 2 weeks you can have time…
An other nice shop is “Adam” around Montparnasse (perhaps rue Edgar Quinet (or not far from) if I remember when I lived there…)
Enjoy your trip !
Merci beaucoup, Laurence!! 😃 Appreciate the info! I’ll definitely check out some of those shops! I’ve no plans other than a bit of shopping and exploring so should be plenty of time to check them out!
Have fun. I use Sennelier paints and love them. 😊
Have a good day. Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks so much, Janet! 😃 I have several colors and love them as well, so I wanted to see one of their stores. Hehe
Soo excited to now see Paris through Doodlewash. Hope you both have a wonderful trip. Bring me back something tres chic!! Xo (and you know that pain au chocolat avec espresso would have immediately in my tummy had we been at cafe Phineas…)
Hehe… thanks Courtney!!😃💕💕 And most definitely!! Going to lunch with family now and then off to shop! I could get used to this! 😉
Charlie have fun and speak that French!
hehe… I know!! I need speak French more!! 😊Thanks, Margaret! 😃💕
Oh Charlie. So great to hear from you in Paris. So looking forward to sharing your time there. Enjoy!!!!
Thanks so much, Jodi!!! It’s such a blast so far!! 😃💕
Why are you doing this to me Charlie? So yummy looking. I’m feeling like making something chocolatey for breakfast. I’m not supposed to have coffee either but … aaaahhhhh…
Oh no!! hehe!! I’m so bad to do that to you!! 😊 Sorry… but thanks!!💕😃 Glad the doodlewash looked tempting though! lol
Bon séjour et amuse toi bien! There, that will get you started😋😋😋
Merci!! 💕😃hehe… I would have studied French instead of Spanish if I had any idea I’d marry someone from France. 😊lol
Hindsight is a tricky thing… But it’s never too late!💕
Oh, the cravings! Sorry Philippe’s mum, les cravings, I’m sure that’s how it works. The perfect doodlewash to kick the journey off, Charlie – now, back to that French dictionary with you. 😉 Here’s to having fun and having the naps wait their turn!
Thanks so much, Jacob!!😃 I’m exhausted still but having fun. Too tired to crack open a French dictionary today, but I’m sure I’ll be doing so throughout the trip and beyond. hehe
Sennelier was my favorite place in June..whatever your ♥ likes and you can afford..bring it home.
I have regrets..we arrived at lunchtime(they close) but a lovely gentleman let us look and shop for a bit anyway.
I regret not buying a few Sennelier pans..etc..
I love that place.
Enjoy.
Great watercolor.
Thanks so much, Monique! 😃💕 I saw they were closed at lunch. I’ll be there later this afternoon so should be fine. Can’t wait to explore!!
Pain au chocolat..yum yum…gorgeous illustration Charlie! Have a nice stay in Paris and lots of fun! oh and lots of French speaking 😉
Merci Beaucoup! 😃💕 And many other French words I’ve yet to learn. Lol Appreciate it!!
What a great welcome, yummy, fab doodlewash, a pleasant surprise considering your journey. Happy shopping 😀
Thanks so much, Rebecca!! 😃💕 I’m determined to sneak in a post daily still. hehe… Mainly because I’m determined to paint daily still! Lol Having a blast though!
What an entirely delicious start to your trip. I love it! I also love that Phillipe’s mother is bossing you to speak more French. I hope you get more sleep tonight so you are energized for splurging in those stores.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 hehe… yeah… I need to speak more French for sure. I’m going to make a concerted effort to do so while I’m here!
Good food, good company, what more can one ask for? Rest well; we look forward to more art and stories! <3
p.s. you're making me hungry, darn it.
Thanks so much, Teresa! 😃💕 Hehe… I can’t promise that won’t keep happening. Food is one of my favorite things to sketch and one of my favorite things about coming to Paris! lol
Yum! Have a great time!
Thanks so much, Annie! 😃💕
They look so yummy! Btw, have a nice trip :))
Thanks so much, Mimi! 😃💕
Bonjour Charlie! J’espere tu as dormi bien!
Well Sennelier never see this branch in the art Supplies store where I always buy my stuff for painting but I will asked around. I am curious to see and practice new brands, now using DS paints and I love the smootness.
Looks and sounds tastefull espresso et pain au chocolat, marvellous painted by you!
See forwards for the next Doodlewash and your adventures in Paris.
Bon sejour a Paris!💕
Merci beaucoup, Margiet! 😃💕 It’s been a wonderful trip so far. Though, finding the first bit here a little busy catching up with family and friends! So fun though! Did visit the art store today… photos to follow in my next post!
Votre dessin du pain au chocolat est parfait. Amusez-vous à Paris! (Had to used google translate…)
And here I thought you were just showing off!! Lol Though I did understand it and I’m rather good at reading French. I just stink at speaking it! 😊 hehe Merci beaucoup! 😃💕
Bienvenue à Paris, Charlie ! C’est merveilleux d’avoir tes nouvelles, et de savoir que t’es bien arrivé. Je te souhaite un séjour magnifique, et j’ai hâte de suiver tes aventures à travers de tes beux peintures. Bonne chance aussi avec ton français, mais souviens-toi : personne n’arrive jamais a le parler parfaitement ; c’est plus important de le faire avec panache. 🙂
hehe… Merci beaucoup, Heather! 😃💕 Of course my French is too terrible to answer you correctly, but I will indeed try to speak more and learn more and do it all with plenty of panache! hehe
Sounds like your time in Paris is off to a wonderful start. It sounds pretty dreamy to just “live it”.
Thanks so much! It is! Loving it so far! 😃💕
Sounds like a perfect vacation. Love the pastry and Senneliers! FUN!
Thanks so much, Teri!! 😃💕 It’s a blast living here for a bit!
How exciting! Enjoy your stay in Paris Charlie! I will envy that trip to the Sennelier’s shop.
hehe… Thanks Susan! 😃💕 Went there today… more to follow in my next post!
pain au chocolat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mi pastele favorito en TODO del mundo!
Lol… bien, Judy! 😃💕Nice way to really confuse me by mixing the only other language I do speak in. At least I understood it though! Lol Gracias!
Παρακαλώ (Parakaló)
I was wondering how you could be painting something that looks so yummy! 😉 And chocolate too! 🍫❤️ So kind of you to restrain yourself and paint it! 😄 Lol! Looks like you are off to a fabulous vacation, Charlie!! YAY!! 🌟🌟🌟
Haha… yeah… I can seriously never urban sketch food if it’s my own! lol This was lucky in that Philippe didn’t want it yet and I just wanted a plain croissant. Definitely a perfect start to the trip though! 😃💕
Oh Merci Charlie! Your watercolor of that delicious pastry with espresso coffee is very inviting! I love your plan of no plans in Paris 😉 and just take the days how they come and enjoy your French home! <3 And of course a trip to Sennelier is mandatory! 😉 Have funt!
Thanks so much, Carolina! 😃💕 It’s been such a wonderful trip so far. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
That’s great Charlie we are all here behind the window from overseas, waiting to see what comes next during your French journey! 😉 <3 Hugs and say hi to Philippe he must be happy to be in his homeland! 🙂
LOL I mean Fun!
Tres bien!
JP
Merci beaucoup! 😃💕
Bien sur!