Kitten Cat Reaching Into Goldfish Bowl Watercolor Illustration Painting
By Charlie

Playful Curiosity

Written by Charlie O'Shields

Thinking about “Playful” for today, our optional World Watercolor Month prompt, I immediately thought of a little kitten. I was going to doodle one playing with a ball of yarn and or hanging from a ball on a string, but instead we have one trying to play with a goldfish. I’m rather sure the goldfish is not an enthusiastic playmate, but I just have to admire a kitten’s curiosity. The very first website I ever created was when I would post a photo a day and I did that for a little over three years. At the time, I named the site “Always Curious” and I still rather love that idea. I think it’s just a healthy and fun way to live a full creative life. And if you’re one of my awesome friends who shows up here to see what the heck I’m going to make next, then you’re always curious as well. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by! I’m always a bit behind on commenting at the start of this month, but please know I’m watching every post appear and thrilled to see your beautiful watercolors scroll by each day!

Every year when this month starts my curiosity always gets the best of me and I get totally lost in watching the watercolors scroll by. It’s a wonderful and beautiful thing to DO! And, I have to admit that I’m quite humbled that so many wonderful people have joined our fabulous event. But, then I have to remind myself that I need to break away and make my own little entry for the day as well. My favorite part of this journey is that I’m always surprised by what actually appears in my little sketchbook. Even if I’m rather sure I have something specific in mind, it bends and morphs as I’m sketching it and the next thing you know you have a sexy llama or kitten pestering a goldfish. I was going to come up with a personal theme this month, but I sort of like the randomness of it all, so I’m just gonna keep on going with that and see what happens. So, I hope you’ll keep checking in to see what happens as well!

And, as many of you may remember from last year’s World Watercolor Month, I have a few extra goodies to give away in my posts during July! These are only open to US/Canada, but not to fear as there are tons of international giveaways coming which you can always find by bookmarking and checking our World Watercolor Month Official Giveaways page throughout the month! (more are coming tomorrow there! Yay!) If you happen to live in US/Canada and would like a chance to get a free Cotman Watercolor Gift Set from Official World Watercolor Month Sponsor Winsor & Newton, I have 5 to give away! Simply add the phrase “I love Winsor & Newton” to your comment below to let me know you’re interested. I’ll draw 5 winning names from everyone who comments with the phrase tomorrow evening, just before I post! (be sure to look for my reply to you in this post so I can let you know if you’ve won, and you can then send me your name and address for shipping). It’s an exciting month and I’m thrilled to spend it with a healthy dose of playful curiosity!

NOTE: Giveaway has now ended and winner’s names have been drawn. Thanks! 

Want To Sketch Stuff With Me? Check Out My NEW Activity Book!

About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Hansa Yellow Medium, Opus (Vivid Pink), Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink  in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop!
 Kitten Cat Reaching Into Goldfish Bowl Watercolor Illustration Painting Sketchbook Detail

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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63 thoughts on “Playful Curiosity”

  8. “I love Winsor & Newton” and am always fascinated by what artists can create using their vision, imagination, and some good basic materials!
    My college graphic design & advertising art classes being transitioned to online, and students and I will all miss the spontaneous interactions and happy accidents of illustrating together in a shared studio space.
    So nice to find something similar here.

    Reply

  9. I just started following you recently and I’m so inspired by your posts. You’re helping to fuel my creativity and the kitten is just adorable! Oh! And, I love Winsor & Newton!

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  14. My cat gets to go in the garage in the evening where she hunts mice. She’s very good at it. A week ago she brought one in. It was still alive. Joe was sleeping. The cats chased the very fast mouse into the bathroom. I went in after them. The cats lost the mouse and gave up. I had to get my long grabber and hunt the little guy down. I found him in the folds of the shower curtain. I picked him up and tossed him out. I would much prefer they hunted goldfish😀😀!

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  15. I love Windsor & Newton..and I love the sense of curiosity..it keeps us growing and seeking and hopefully learning…Thanks for your curiosity, it keeps us going here…and btw the painting is so adorable..love the kitten and the expression of the goldfish LOL 😊

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  18. I love Winsor & Newton!!! Such a cute kitty. It reminds me of my childhood kitty (male cat that I named Nancy– hey, I was a toddler!) , who DID eat my goldfish. Maybe it was revenge for giving him a girl’s name. haha haha

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  21. Hello Charlie,

    That sketch is playful curiosity personified! I agree with you – kittens are probably the most curious of us all. 🙂 I have been making a small watercolor painting everyday but Im too shy to upload any of it. But I just want you to know that there are also those of us whose life you’ve touched, but who are shy to upload anything. So yes, there are many many people participating in WWM.

    Love,
    Mugdha

    Reply

  26. I DO love Winsor and Newton! This is my first year of World Watercolor Month but have long loved watercolor. Your illustrations are so much fun. I love your style.

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  27. What a cute kitty, but that fishy! He is so cute! It is just a darling picture! Off to actually sketch this morning. 😉
    And of course I love Winsor & Newton!

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