Halloween Pumpkin Skull Cat Spider Watercolor Illustration
By Charlie

Spooky Things

Written by Charlie O'Shields

We’ve reached the end of this month’s Doodlewash challenge and the end of Inktober. Whether you’ve participated in either or both, I hope you had a fabulous time and reached whatever goals you set for yourself! For my final doodlewash this month, I sketched the pumpkin that Philippe carved this past weekend. Like me, he prefers things that are cute, so the little pumpkin looked adorably terrified as though it was frightened by the glow of its own candle. It’s like it didn’t quite fit in with all of the spooky things this time of year. So, I imagined the poor thing having to sit there and illuminate those very things. This felt like a fitting end as I’ve been challenging my own artistic fears all month long. And I hope you’ll join me for the November challenge up next! Just a reminder that for these Doodlewash monthly challenges you can set your own goals for how often you want to participate during the month and prompts are always optional. Just draw and/or watercolor paint whatever you love most and add the hashtag #doodlewashNovember2019 when you post whatever you make so we can all see it! I’ll be choosing daily and with prompts as usual, because I’m completely hooked, totally crazy, and literally can’t stop. Oh, and Happy Halloween!

This has been one of my favorite months to date because I’ve learned so much along the way. Not simply about drawing techniques, though that as well, of course. But, more about myself. I learned that I can DO more than I thought I could. And, yes, I learned that as always with art, there’s a ton more that I still have to learn. I learned that there are thousands of people more accomplished and better at drawing than I am. But, I’m better than I was just last month!

Halloween Pumpkin Skull Cat Spider Inktober IllustrationThe most important thing I’ve learned on this journey and the reason I can always show up each day is that I don’t compare myself to others. There’s no point in that when it comes to art. The only important comparison to make is with yourself. Though this, is also perfectly challenging as I honestly can’t tell from one day to the next if I’ve done better than me. But thankfully, YOU can! Thanks so much for your comments! They’ve really helped guide me along the way. And for those who posted your own wonderful art, thank you for inspiring me to try new things as I continue to sketch stuff each and every day!

As for Halloween, there’s no special plan this evening unless I can talk Philippe into opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate. I figure the end of another challenge and Halloween itself is more than enough to justify it! That’s my usual Charlie reasoning, however, which doesn’t always jive with Philippe’s actual reasoning. So, we’ll just have to wait and see. What I DO know is that I am totally thrilled for the months ahead as its my favorite time of year. I love all the food, family, and fun that comes with it! Even though this month is over, I sort liked the idea of scaring myself into trying new things. So, going forward, if I ever feel a bit afraid to try something, I’m going to try it immediately! It’s so cathartic to learn that anything is possible when I set my mind to something and really try. This is true for everyone, of course. It’s amazing how we’re equipped to conquer anything if we just give ourselves permission. And, indeed, also permission to fail. But with every attempt, I can guarantee that we are each failing forward. So, I feel ready to face any self-doubt I have in the coming months as I’ve found that I rather enjoy the challenge of spooky things.

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

About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Benzimida Orange, Quinacridone Red, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Staedtler Pigment Liners 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!
 Halloween Pumpkin Skull Cat Spider Watercolor Illustration 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!

See author's posts

Recommended5 recommendationsPublished in By Charlie

21 Comments

0 Shares

21 thoughts on “Spooky Things”

  3. I was planning to post something today but I was cought up at work….. So it will be with the new month then… Like your spooky things… Happy Halloween Charlie….😱😱😱✌️✌️✌️👻👻👻

    Reply

  6. Fail better. From my favorite quote. I’ve been watching Alaska, the Last Frontier. Those homesteaders really understand what trying and failing mean, but they never seem to give up. And they live hard lives. I used to think that that was the kind of life I was meant to live. Ha! I was wrong. Can you say flush toilet!!

    It has been fun watching you stretch your painting muscles this month. Go you!

    Reply

  11. You made October an exciting month with a new burst of energy every day. Both watercolors and pen and inks were captivating. In fact, as I look at the black cat in this Halloween edition, I’m thinking it might be a disgruntled Cindy, or at least a close relative.
    A perfect assemblage of spooky things here, and none of them look friendly. The Jack o’ Lantern looks menacing and the skull looks bewildered. The cat looks like it is contemplating a murderous meal, and the spider looks as if it has just eaten. What a party!!

    Reply

Leave Me A Comment!

%d bloggers like this: