Remy's Ratatouille - Doodlewash and watercolor sketch inspired by Pixar movie tomatoes zucchini eggplant spoon sauce
By Charlie

Remy’s Ratatouille

Written by Charlie O'Shields

One of my all-time favorite Pixar movies if not my favorite movie of all time, if I could ever play favorites, is Ratatouille. For tonight’s #DoodlewashDinner I’m bringing the dish the little rat named Remy prepares, albeit in a more realistic style. Though Philippe and I eat this dish a lot, we’ve not yet tried it with quite the level of fancy presentation illustrated here. But since this dinner has so many talented guests coming, I figured I’d spruce it up for the party by taking a little tip from an animated rodent. Though the repeated mantra in the movie is “anyone can cook” I’ve failed to do so after many repeated attempts, so I figured I could doodlewash a dinner into existence instead.

I’ve also had this movie on the brain because Philippe and I just booked our trip to Paris this year in late September. Though visiting friends and family is the primary purpose, of course, we are going to sneak away to Disneyland Paris so we can ride Ratatouille – The Adventure. You get to shrink down to the size of a rat and scurry across a giant kitchen, so what’s not cool about that?! I like roller coasters, but give me a ride where I can catapult myself into a story and you’ve actually given me a real thrill. I can’t wait to try it and I’m sure Philippe is already dreading the time and money it will take to get me out of the gift shop after the ride ends.

But there’s just something so magical about the story of an underdog like Remy. He’s a rat who dreams of becoming a chef, so it’s a long shot to be sure. But through creativity and sheer determination, he makes his dream come true. Life never seems as easy as it does in films where everything is deftly engineered to work out perfectly. That’s what makes movies so wonderful. For a little bit of time, anything is possible, and if we just imagine hard enough, we can even see our own dreams coming true. So tonight, I made the dinner I wished I could make in real life. Even if I didn’t cook it, I still managed to make a little bit of a dream come true. Thanks Remy.

You’re all invited to a Doodlewash Dinner Party during the month of May! Just tag your food or drink image #doodlewashdinner and I’ll feature you and your culinary creations in a delicious Doodlewash Gallery at the end of the month! 

About the Doodlewash

M. Graham watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Azo Orange, Azo Yellow, Quinacridone Gold, Dioxazine Purple, Ultramarine Blue, Sap Green, Permanent Green Pale, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal

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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61 thoughts on “Remy’s Ratatouille”

  1. Oh Charlie – what a lovely post! I love that sweet movie too! And YAY for you to get to go to Paris and enjoy that ride! Your doodlewash is EXQUISITE and so sophisticated. Your talent just goes on and on buddy! Drawing, painting, writing, insiring!!! Thank you Charlie O!

    Reply

    1. Yay! A fan! Hehe…that’s awesome! It’s such a good movie! Paris is wonderful! You definitely need to go to the EU again! We were hoping to sneak an extra weekend trip in, but lots of friends and family to see, so might just be Disneyland only this trip. Hehe

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  7. You must have some little “doodle elves” working overtime for you, because you seem to doodle these up with zest and yumminess. I am drooling over your doodle …..again! I adore that movie, I am a Disney fan. Keep them elves working overtime! 🙂 lol oh I had so much fun writing all that….but I must go.

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    1. Awww thanks so much Sharon! 😃💕 We were going to go every year since Philippe’s family is there, but it’s costly so it’s slid to every 2 years. I wasn’t even sketching and doodlewash didn’t exist last time I was there, so I’m excited to sketch!! 😃

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  9. I’m charmed by your story, Charlie, and enchanted by your doodlewash. I also loved Ratatouille, the movie, and the dish if someone else makes it. I’m not as hopeless in the kitchen as you claim to be, but my ratatouille comes out mushy – every time. More like a sauce. I can’t figure out how to keep the veggies cooked but still crisp.
    Oh well, I can make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Remy would be appalled by me. Both my sons learned to cook much better than I. As a friend said, “Guess they had to.”

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    1. Thanks Sharon!! 😃💕 Lol… Love that last line. Too funny! Great story!! I actually did attempt ratatouille once…Philippe was still in Paris and coached me through it via video chat. It came out great, but when I tried to do it solo it was a flop. 😊 Luckily I was alone and nobody was injured in the serving of that version. I think I’ll stick to doodlewashing it!

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  10. What a marvelous creation! It won’t dazzle my tongue, but it does dazzle my eyes and I can totally imagine that it would dazzle my tongue. Loved that movie! And the ride sounds super fun! And so cool that you and Philippe are going to Paris… 🙂

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  11. Oh have fun in Paris, Charlie! Wow, what another gorgeous dish. I really think this is your most awesome subject matter ever!!! I can’t get over these beautiful dishes. You two will have such an amazing time, and I hope we get to see lots of pics!

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    1. Thanks!! You’re so sweet, Laura!! 😃💕 I’m really enjoying food doodlewashes! And we’re just excited to have set a date for Paris finally. Hehe… it’s been a little too long since we’ve been back. Looking forward to sketching to record the journey!!

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  12. Fabulous – that sauce is awesomesauce! I would never normally use that word, you understand, but if ever there were an appropriate usage! Such a perfectly saucy consistency to it. I agree with Laura, you’re really knocking it out of the park this time around.

    I’ve only seen at most bits of Ratatouille (of course), so my knowledge is shady. But even so, the idea of you getting dangerously overexcited (of course) inside a giant Ratatouille attraction is making me very happy. Do go and have fun! Not that long to wait!

    Reply

    1. Thanks Jacob!! 😃 Glad you liked this and I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear that you haven’t sat down to watch Ratatouille properly. This one is required viewing so you may remove another of your choice from the list I’m building for you. 😉 And I can’t wait for the ride!! Weeeeeeee!!

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      1. OK. I’ll cross out Star Wars. 😉 And I wish I could go – it looks such fun! Ride the Dodgems for me, won’t you (there must be some in there somewhere, surely!)

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          1. Haha, I didn’t think that’d go without a reaction! Hmm, all I can remember off the top of my head is Benji and Dirty Dancing. And I’ve seen both of those since you berated me 😉

  13. YAY Charlie!! I’m so excited about your trip to Paris! 🗼 And I LoVe Disneyland as it brings back such wonderful memories of being a kid and everything feeling magical. Your painting feels very magical to me tonight. Maybe it’s the wine but you certainly can create an AMAZING painting with food and about any subject I believe! ✨🎨💕🌟

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  14. Little factoid….The word Ratatouille actually comes from the french term “touiller,” which means to toss food. Ratatouille originated in the area around present day Nice… Looks soo good. and I think you have fallen over a new diet fad. Don’t eat it, Doodle it! Bon Voyage!

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