Written by For those of you who have followed my posts for any length of time at all, you’ll note how much I enjoy painting glass whenever I get the chance. It’s become a sort of addiction to go along with my addiction to watercolor sketching. Part of the fun comes from attempting to get something that looks rather like glass while using my slapdash and quick style. It’s a messy process that involves a paper towel to scrub the highlights back into existence and I’m quite sure I’m doing everything “wrong.” But, I don’t really care, because it’s so much fun! I have no patience at all, but instead of fighting it, I’ve just made it my style. And just a bit of water with some lemons in it can be a fun little time spent painting. Particularly when you go a bit crazy with the colors and stir something unexpected into the mix. I’ve no idea what’s in this water, but I rather liked the effect. Philippe just looked at it and said, “it’s glowing!” which I’ll take as a compliment, but he was most likely just concerned about the radioactive contents that must surely be inside.
I’m wanting to play a bit more this month with my doodlewashes. I’ve fallen into particular colors and approaches that make me feel like I’m in a bit of a rut. So, I’ve decided to mix things up, quite literally, by giving myself permission to try some new things. That’s the fun of painting every day, as you don’t have to worry about screwing anything up, because there’s always tomorrow. Part of the joy of watercolor is letting those happy accidents happen. The frustration, of course, is that they’re nearly impossible to repeat exactly, but there’s still a lot to be learned in the process. My limited time frame actually makes this possible as if I had the patience to spend more time on a painting, I would surely attempt to be far too diligent and completely overwork it. Though to some, racing against the clock my seem a bit stressful, I find it exhilarating and perfectly suited to my style. And it’s really more like a cooking timer, telling me to take the darn thing out of the oven already and put in on the table before I burn it to a crisp!
Using a cooking reference is a bit like using a sports reference for me, because I’m rubbish at both, but you get the idea. This is my play time and I embrace it like the little boy I am inside. There’s a lot happening in the world right now, and much of it is stress-inducing and chaotic, so I’m thrilled to retreat to my own little world each day. My favorite bit of doodlewashing is always that moment when I don’t notice the clock and I don’t know how that color or wash appeared there. I’ve realized that my entire method relies on this intuitive feeling and approach. If I stop to consider what on earth I’m attempting to do, I’ll sort of muck everything up. So, if you’re curious as to exactly how I paint, there’s nothing exact about it. That’s the entire point. It’s simply a process of letting my mind relax and not fret too much about what’s happening in the moment. It’s less about technique and more about mindset for me. From this state, I can make pretty much anything I like appear on paper. Yet even knowing all of this, each time I sit down to paint, I still can’t fully explain why it’s something I simply must do each day. There’s just something in the water.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Opus (Vivid Pink), Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise, and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Photo Reference: Marco Verch. 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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You’ve caught that beautiful glow that happens when there’s a light shining through colored glass. Wonderful!
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 Glad you liked this!
I love this, you have great talent!!
Aww what a sweet thing to say! Thanks so much!! 😃💕
It’s the truth. No problem, you’re so welcome!!
Spectacular use of color in this one! I love how it’s bold and unexpected, yet somehow it works.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Playing a bit with color for this one. So thrilled you enjoyed it!
The few times I’ve tried glass I’ve really mucked it up. I should give it more practice. And maybe Philippe should be served some green Kool-Aid. That will give him a shudder. Lol!
You should definitely try painting glass again, Lisa! It’s so much fun! 😃💕 And I’m rather certain green Kool-Aid would make Philippe not only shudder, but actually faint! lol
Wonderful!! Not only the painting but what you wrote about the process. Thank-you
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 So happy you enjoyed this post!
Watercolor paintings are pretty much non-repeatable, except via photocopy or Giclee. Each one is unique because the water moves the colors in ways you can’t 100% control or predict – that’s the beauty of the art. This painting of yours is really gorgeous – it looks watery and glassy and refreshing and delicious. Nicely done, Charlie. OK, now I’m thirsty. See you at the lemon tree.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one! It was a fun little experiment. And, I agree, that lack of control and repeatability is what I love most about art and particularly this medium!
“Charlie says, “There’s just something in the water.”
How about marketing that water. I could use a little magic.
In the ’70s, Tide packed a water glass in each box of their detergent.
Your pitcher is a perfect match to those glasses. I googled to see if
I could find a picture but all the ‘Tide glasses’ I found were clear glass.
The ones Tide gave were clear at the top with the same color blue bottom
as the handle on your pitcher. Life goes round and round. I love it!
Aww fabulous! I’m so thrilled this brought back fun memories! 😃💕 I think I remember those glasses as well! Fun to think back to when you the prizes inside things were actually cool.
That’s the beauty of art – no two creations are the same, no rules, and it is a wonderful escape!
Exactly!! That’s what keeps me coming back to create each and every day! 😃💕
Every day, I swear we are related, as close as twins. Our personalities and quirky habits are so similar. I too am impatient and do things “my way”. Whatever works. Still haven’t tried painting glass yet, but I will some day! Mesmerised by your glass paintings. 🙂
I would be honored to be your twin my friend! 😃💕 hehe… separated at birth? Who knows really! Then as my twin, you should definitely try painting glass as I’m sure you’ll discover you adore it and even your impatient style will work! 😉
You are so encouraging! 🙂
Were you painting naked? 😀 It looks like a torso to me! lol! I’m in the process of shaking things up also, trying new mixes along with different techniques and effects. Trying to be bolder is kinda scary but 100-percent fun. Happy painting, Charlie!
haha!! Best start to a comment EVER! 😂And I’m rather pleased as I don’t paint humans, so maybe this means I can start. In truth, I wasn’t naked for this one, but tonight, I’m not wearing pants as I type this because I spilled ink on them earlier and they’re now in the wash. 😊lol In all seriousness though, being bolder is truly a bit terrifying when you have folks expecting you to show up in a certain way. But, yeah, personally… it’s where some of the greatest joys can happen!
Phillippe is right! It glows! Those who think they must follow rules in art produce art that looks like rules! First rule of the Intuitive Artist: There are no rules!
Thanks! 😃💕 And yay to that! There aren’t rules in art, only techniques and suggestions. What we do with those is always up to us!
Very nice. Love the blues. Glass is not so easy to do…for me anyway. Yours always looks great. Loved your story as well.
Thanks so much, June! 😃💕 I love painting glass as you know, but my breakthrough came when I looked at glass no differently than if I were painting a pear or pup. hehe… it’s all just shapes and light and painting what you see. If I just observe and sketch and don’t worry that it’s “glass” then I end up with something kind of cool and rather glass-like!
Charlie–this was a GREAT post! The pre-holiday “French Ultramarines” (blues–clever me) are hitting many artists of late, and I’m in a soft rut that’s lasting longer than I’m comfortable with. But! Yet again, you write something uplifting that makes me exhale and know I’ve not abandoned painting. And your glass and lemon pitcher were “sub-lime” (get it? Lemons, limes?)/ Sorry I’m silly this morning, but I always look forward to your glass paintings. Gorgeous and colorful as always. This one’s a keeper for sure.
Happy weekend to you and Phillipe, Charlie! 🙂
Fanna Turano
Aww thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 Thrilled this post inspired you! yeah, we should never fret over a rut when it comes to painting… I always think it’s never a rut, just a time of slow contemplation. hehe… good things will always come of that time!