Written by So, today’s prompt is a rare repeat as it was five days after posting the prompts for this month before anyone noticed and it was too late to change them. I guess I was really into being a kid this month! But, really, can we ever have too many games? This has been a month all about fun, but I think sketching should always be a ton of fun. If it’s not, or feels like work or hard practice, we tend to avoid it and end up not sketching on a regular basis. For my bit of fun today, I thought about games and remembered a velvet tapestry I won in a game of bingo as a kid, which featured dogs playing poker, so I wondered what it would be like if it were cats instead. Yeah, that’s literally the entire story behind this odd sketch. Well, that and I wish I still had that velvet tapestry since prior to that I’d only ever won car wax. But, this sketch was super fun to make! And heading into a weekend after a super busy week, I’m ready to play some more! I’ve nothing extravagant planned, but I’m sure something cool will happen with a bit of luck.
I thought about going to the zoo this weekend as I think the weather will be nice and not rainy for at least one of the days. But, I can’t remember which now, and it’s also likely to change quickly as that’s usually how things work with weather this time of year here. I live in a row home and so I have many lovely neighbors, but many of them have cats so they don’t have to go walking around outside during the harsh winter months. So as I take my dog Phineas out for a walk, I see many of them walking about for the first time in months and it’s like meeting old friends. There’s a community garden behind our home and this is the time of year people gather for drinks and conversation. Philippe and I are introverts, but we do join them occasionally before rushing back home again to go back into our own little world and recharge. I love our everyday routines. Actually, I don’t care for that word though as it makes something seem like it’s dull if it’s repeated. I prefer to think of them as “lovely habits” instead. We have the kind we share together and then that kind when we drift off into our own mental space and enjoy whatever it is we personally enjoy.
I’ll start doodling and Philippe will start a French documentary on the history of turnips, or something engrossing like that. Our dog will demand attention from us at the most inopportune time and when we pause to play with him, he’ll stare at us like we’re crazy and walk away. I guess that was the game, after all. Though, I’m still never sure if we’ve played it correctly. And no matter how mundane our evening might seem to others, I find it thrilling each and every time. My heart fills up with joy and I’m reminded just how much I love my little family. And no matter what thing I’m sketching that day, I remember the moment when I sketched it. I think that’s a side effect of always treating my sketchbook like a playground. When you have fun doing something it becomes a memory. When you don’t enjoy it, it becomes a chore and something you’d rather forget. So, I continue to spend my little moment each day playing on my favorite piece of playground equipment. That very moment, when I turn to a fresh page, start to scribble, doodle, color again and find myself sketching some fun.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Opus (Vivid Pink), Quinacridone Red, Cobalt Turquoise, Cobalt Blue, and Terra Cotta. Micron Pen 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! |
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A tapestry of cats playing poker would be far more reasonable, because cats would obviously – obviously – be better poker players! I know people have different personalities, but sometimes I think people (Americans, at least) feel they have to be doing something different all the time or they are missing out. I think they are missing out by not slowing down and just enjoying being.
haha! so true right?! 😃💕Cats would be far more adept at poker. It’s in their genes! And yes…. I think many times, people feel more comfort in doing the same but different. hehe… I wish they would slow down and offer up what only their hearts could produce!
Your little family is wonderful! I like Philippe’s taste in TV.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕hehe… yeah, I tease Philippe, but then I’m totally engaged as well. It’s fun to explore a topic in depth!
Routine or habit. The truth is, I don’t want to have to rethink every day how to make coffee, or brush my teeth. Routines and habits give our brains a break to solve the world’s problems. Easy peasy! It is supposed to snow here tomorrow! Blech! We’ll have to turn the furnace back on. I’m sick of it. Sick I say. I want more flowers and less frostbite!
Here’s to more flowers and less frostbite for sure1 😃💕hehe… and yeah, I think for things they help us function, routines are perfectly awesome. But, for the things that help us truly live, those will always be my lovely habits! 😉
Ah ha!!! I love your kitties today, Charlie! I have a big ole ginger guy on my lap as I type this comment. SOO cute! Your DW version are too sweet for words.
I had the occasion to use some Da Vinci tube paints last week, not realizing I even had them. Wow! I must say they were incredibly gorgeous, and transparent! I know it’s all you use, Charlie, so I’m curious about something: do you have a list of warm & cool transparent colors? I have paints from just about everyone out there, but must be honest in saying I was deeply impressed with the Da Vinci colors. Pardon my ignorance, but how would I check to see the lightfastness on a tube (some have an asterisk–???), and how do I even know since all brands have different ways of labeling on a tube? What do the various symbols mean, such as the *, II, etc. I was just incredibly impressed with the transparency of Da Vinci I did use, and I think I’m getting better at deciphering tubes of paint–just not all of the manufacturers! Gosh–soooo much out there!
Anyway, many thanks for any help out there, and Charlie I must know: how was your birthday celebration? Did you have fun, gets lots of happy gifts, and natch, dessert a la’ Phillipe? Mine was also peaceful, quiet, and happy art presents! Happy 2019 until 2020 brings about another “birthday week.” (and Angela’s painting is stunning here in our condo. Can’t wait to frame!).
Happy week to your, Charlie, and all fellow DW’s.
Fanna Turano
Denver, CO
Thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 My birthday was fabulous and I got all of the gifts I’d hoped to receive. Yeah… Legos and art supplies mainly! lol As for lightfastness of Da Vinci Paints, you can simply look at the color on their website and see the rating – https://www.davincipaints.com/?Click=4073 – I don’t have a list of warm of cool colors by specific pigment. I’m just a old-fashioned color wheel guy, and fit the pigments into that model.
Thanks much, Charlie! Great to hear you had a happy birthday! You deserve all of that joy!
Aww that’s so sweet of you to say! Thanks, Fanna! 😃💕
I think instead of calling my favorite quotes “Charlie says” I will call it Charlie’s wisdom.
Today’s is especially real and true: “When you have fun doing something it becomes a memory. When you don’t enjoy it, it becomes a chore and something you’d rather forget.”
You always give us wisdom and beauty.
I love cats. Kittens always bring out the oohs and ahs in me. The two you have painted make me smell the new green grass and feel the sun on my face. I love there soft hair and the way they are so involved and unselfconcsious. (is that a word?)
Thank you!
Thanks, Sarah! 😃💕I ramble write, but you always manage to pull out a gem that makes me appear rather smart! In truth, many times I don’t even remember saying it. 😊Thank you SO much for appreciating my prose! It means the world to me! And glad you liked my kittens! unselfconscious is a apparently a word with spell check as I type this… hehe.. so happy it is! 😉
: ) btw I used your badger picture in my last post (with appropriate credit of course)
Aww cool! I’ll check out it!… I’ve been so behind this week on everything!
Darling! I am happiest at home, that’s where all my art supplies are! Ha ha! I like your take on games because I wasn’t feeling another game sketch. We have a bluejay who has been messing with our cat lately. It’s quite funny. It is almost like they are playing a game. Lily knows she can’t catch him, and I think she’s a bit intimidated by him. She just rolls around the cement as he flys past her. She has slowed down in her old age. I have my “game” inspiration now. Thanks!
Yay! Glad you were inspired, Lori! 😃💕 hehe.. yeah, the first person to noice the double prompt commented 5 days after it launched, so we had lots of games this month! lol
Great cats!! I would love to see that poker game in progress. This may be our last comfortable weather day for months…nice sunny, warm day with low humidity so my good friend is going to come visit and we will walk to the little historic village in town to sketch…and chat. And then walk to a cafe on the river for lunch. This will be a totally out of the box day for me and I’m looking forward to a wonderful visit with my friend!! Happy weekend!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕Aww… your visit with your friend sounds idyllic! Love that so much! Hope you have an amazing time!
Cats playing poker…ha,ha….so cute. Somehow reminds me of Alice in Wonderland, my favorite childhood book. Home is where the heART is!!!!
Thanks, June! 😃💕 hehe… I loved Alice and Wonderland as well! Yeah, this was a silly doodlewash to be sure, but it was very fun to make!