By Charlie

Reflections On Pears

Written by Charlie O'Shields

One of the fun parts of these daily doodlewashes is that while the prompts can help me figure out what to paint, I never have a clue what I’m going to write in response to whatever happens next. Since today’s prompt is pears, I guess I’m meant to reflect on fruit. It’s the end of an extremely busy week and I’ve really no idea what comes to mind when thinking of pears other than that they’re delicious and I adore them. But only when they’re perfectly ripe and can be eaten in a way that barely requires any chewing at all. That’s when they’re perfection in both texture and taste. I’m actually no expert on pears, but that’s the way that I prefer them, at least. Weirdly, I’ve always struggled with painting pears, and this one seemed a bit more successful. Philippe actually said he liked it and described it as a punk Anna Mason. The punk part is because mine was made in 45 minutes and not given any of the time and attention to detail that Anna’s amazing works are given. One day, when I have the time, I’d love to try that style! So awesome! But today, I’m satisfied with just being a watercolor punk.

I’m truly not a punk or a rabble-rouser when it comes to art or anything else at all. I’m not really attempting to buck the system so much as trying to find my place in it all. And to help others find their place as well. I often talk about rules and how I don’t like them, but it’s mostly because I feel like most of those rules simply weren’t written with me in mind. This isn’t surprising, really, as I’m not remotely famous, just a guy with a blog who adores watercolor. There’s no way they could have known about me when they decided that things should be this way and not that way. Those people who decide such things, at least. And I figure, I’m not really alone in this. As we each approach our art, in our own unique ways, it’s strange to be told there’s anything remotely approaching a “right way” or a “wrong way.” Okay, I get it, when it comes to rewiring an electrical outlet, the wrong way is not a happy experience at all. But with art, when someone does something the “wrong way,” it can make hundreds and sometimes thousands and thousands of people really, really happy.

I’ve never figured out what constitutes right and wrong in art. I just keep taking a little moment each and every day to make something new. Since I barely have time to sit down to paint, I can’t possibly waste an extra minute fretting about whether or not what I’m doing is actually art. What I DO know, is that I love what I’m DOing! And that’s all that really matters in the end. If I love it, then it’s twice as possible someone else out there might just love it as well. And that’s what makes me happy. I’ve never been interested in fame. It just seems like a lot of work. I’m more interested in making a difference in the world. And I don’t mind at all if in doing so, people forget my name. I’d rather instead that they remember a name like Doodlewash. A fun idea that simply means, make what you love, and love what you make. Whether you’re taking weeks to make a masterpiece or stealing a few minutes out of your day for reflections on pears.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Leaf Green, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Quinacridone Red, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.
 #WorldWateroclorGroup - Day 20 - Reflections On Pears - Doodlewash

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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46 thoughts on “Reflections On Pears”

  2. I LOVE your pear. While I’m only so-so about eating them, I love painting them (on paper, not actually painting the pear itself, lol) and I’d have been proud any day to have painted something like this. When it comes to something as subjective as art, the rules are always more the opinion of those who like to make rules than true value. That said, they do provide a structure with which to start out. After that, the fun is breaking those rules and making it work!

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    2. Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 So true! The rules are important so you know when you’re breaking them! hehe And I do like learning the structure… I just never appreciate when someone says that structure is the only way. To heck with that! hehe… it’s art!!

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  3. This pear and its reflection is a really gorgeous painting, Charlie O’Shields of Doodlewash fame. The colors are as delicate yet vibrant as the fruit, and I like the way you left some of the white paper to show through. And of course, pears have freckles, making them even more special. This painting must accompany Phillipe’s pear compote recipe in the forthcoming cookbook – right? (Maybe I’ll learn to cook.)

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    1. Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Aww you’re too sweet… I really love Anna’s style and super impressed when she can teach others to do it as well. But yeah, mine will always remain a bit looser and faster! I don’t have the patience! lol

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  6. Cool pear, Charlie! 🍐👍 I posted one on my blog today that I did in pastels – it is of the rainbow variety…hehe🌈💕 Sometimes I like that I don’t have much time to create art as then I don’t fuss over it and try to make it PEAR-fect! 😍

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  15. Hehehe, ok, you made me choke with laughter about the wrong way to rewire an outlet. YES that has a wrong and right way. My dad was a civil engineer, building houses, mom and dad were house flippers before that was a “thing”. so YES I know all about the fact you CAN rewire something and blow yourself off the ladder, lol. Your pear is awesome and isn’t it lovely to have your guy know so much about art that he can compare you favorably to Anna Mason? How about I meet you in class in a couple months? She’s on my list of courses to take SOON. By January at the latest. Perfectionism here I come, then I can decide just how painterly I want to go, after I learn her amazing skills. Hugs Charlie.

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    1. Hehe… thanks, Jennifer!! 😃💕 That’s so awesome you’re going to take Anna’s class! Yay! Yeah, I think I’ve already crossed over and decided perfectionism isn’t quite for me! LOL It’s mostly my painfully short attention span. I literally can’t paint more than an hour or I get antsy and want to start something new!

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      1. I know after I learn her techniques I’ll dial back the perfectionism, I want the artist’s hand to show in my work. But I want to learn her techniques so I can then DECIDE how I want to paint something, not have the painting decide for me. LOL. You’re a nuclear reactor of ideas, it’s good that you get bored easily, it keeps you moving forward and doing new things.

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        1. Lol… nuclear reactor… I love that! Makes me sound so cool! But I totally agree! I definitely recommend learning Anna’s techniques… then dial back as you say. For me, it’s just a question of time and attention span. I have to start something new every day! hehe

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  20. Yep, I totally agree. Rules were not written with me in mind. Those rule writers had no idea we were coming along to do our own thing or that we would all be part of a like minded community. I do believe we are all a quite lovely surprise that the rule writers didn’t know they wanted and needed.

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  21. Love your pear, Charlie! I don’t think it looks punky nor funky – I seriously like it and the reflection. ❤️

    Pears are my all-time fave fruit but I like them crunchy green unripened … no mushy stuff here! lol

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