Written by For our prompt of “Flowers,” I opted for some magnolia blossoms and a little warbler. I actually did the initial sketch for this one at lunch today. As I was making flowers and birds in my sketchbook there was a blizzard of snow outside my window. It was fun to make spring happen in autumn while autumn decided it wanted to be winter. It was truly a lovely sight seeing the snow fall, but it came with really cold and blustery winds that were a little less enjoyable. I adore snow, but it’s a touch early for it to arrive here. Thankfully, it was a blip and the fall weather returns later in the week. The best thing about having four seasons is getting to enjoying them to their fullest. Unfortunately, winter is a bit pushy and likes to come early and overstay its welcome come spring. So, the milder seasons get a bit shortchanged. This morning our dog Phineas refused to go for a walk and instead went into what we refer to as a “poop strike.” It’s his way of informing us that the weather is perfectly awful, inappropriate for such delicate body functions, and we need to fix things immediately. We’ve assured him that we don’t actually control the weather, but he’s still suspicious and yet to be convinced that we’re not lying to him.
As I type this now, the clear skies have returned and although it’s still cold and now dark, it looks a bit more like fall outside at least. I only hope all of the trees haven’t given up hope and decide to drop their leaves. Yet the little boy in me secretly hopes that this means there just might be a white Christmas this year. Once the middle of December hits and I’m done with family travel and taking a break from work, I’m ready for that blanket of ice and snow to hit. Then I can simply pretend I’m hibernating and there’s no guilt at all for just staying inside to sketch, play games, and put together puzzles all day. Phineas does enjoy his spot by the fireplace, even if he despises the thought of going outdoors in the cold. But, as soon as January hits and the glow of the holidays is regretfully over, I’m over winter as well. There’s only so long someone can go without walking by flowers. And the return of lovely birds in spring is a wonderful sight indeed. But, no matter what time of year it is, I can make any moment appear in my sketchbook. That’s a rather wonderful gift to have and it’s almost like magic.
That’s why I try to get everyone I can to sketch with me. I’m no magician, literally everyone can sketch! But, I’ve been like that ever since I was a kid. Whenever I’d find something fun to DO, I tried to get all of the other kids to come play with me. And the little kid in me is so thrilled for the coming holiday season that I’ve already started making plans. This primarily includes making a wish list for Philippe and coaxing him to please for the love of everything that’s good in the world make one as well as he gets harder to shop for every year. Phineas, no doubt, would be making a list as well had he been blessed with opposable thumbs. But, there’s really no need as he’s terribly easy to figure out. If it’s edible, it’s certainly on his list. As I was giddily fake shopping and attempting to create a wish list, however, I realized only a few items felt like a must-have. And, moreover, I still love the act of opening gifts most, so there could be literally anything inside and I would be thrilled. Of all the reasons to listen to my inner child, this is probably the most rewarding. I can still find love and amazement in the simplest of things. And I can bring those things to life in a little sketchbook each day. Even taking an exceptionally memorable moment during a snowstorm to enjoy a little spring in autumn.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Aureolin, Opus (Vivid Pink), Quinacridone Red, Benzimida Orange, Terra Cotta 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! |
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Uuuufffff Charlie, I really love this one,
😍😍😍✌️🤗🤗🤗…. Great job friend!!!!
Aww thanks so much, Walt! 😃💕Thrilled you enjoyed this one!
I love that you sketched a bit of Spring time, Charlie! It is cold here too. We might walk up to snow but the bulk of it should go north of us.
Thanks, Karen! 😃💕Yeah, I adore fall, but it suddenly turned to winter here! Ugh! Hopefully it skips you!
It’s a blackburnian warbler! Excellent! It snowed here too. I’m now ready for spring! 😂😂
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕Yep! That’s the one! And yes! hehe… there’s nothing like to snow to make one crave spring!
So gorgeous!!!! I love the colors in your flowers and the bird is so sweet aweeeee!! 🙂 Spring is my fav time of the year just seems to be the most prefect weather and all of nature is doing its awesomeness 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕Yay for spring! I love it, but here it often feels like it only lasts a couple of weeks…hehe… winter and summer are SO pushy!
Exceptionally beautiful painting today! I love the thought of Phineas instituting a “poop strike.”
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕hehe… yeah, Phineas is not a fan at all of the cold weather. I can’t say that I’d like to poop it in either, so I understand.
Nice painting Charlie! The colors are well played with the bird as well as with the flowers. Great job!
Thanks so much, Jerson! 😃💕 What a lovely compliment!
Lovely painting.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
So pretty! Love the colors your chose. Normally I would be so jealous that you got snow. However, I am heading to DL later this week and would not want snow to get in the way. We had a lovely Fall Oregon weekend…..cloudy and a bit of rain. The only thing messing with my head is that it has been warm 50″s. For some reason I expect it to be bitter cold and bundle up, only to strip some of my layers. Must be from watching all those Hallmark Christmas movies. Hahahaha!
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕haha! Yep! Those Hallmark Christmas movies will get you ever time! lol And in the best way ever!
Wonderful doodle wash today! What is the name of that little warbler? I would love to draw/paint him.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 This one is a Blackburnian warbler!
Nice painting, and good detail on the bird, I really like the oranges and purples.
Thanks so much, Shawn! 😃💕So happy you liked the colors!
I love your little splash of Spring! As we were driving back from the coast I noticed that much of the color I’d seen on the way here was now gone and the majority of the trees are bare, except for the evergreens – bless them for they give us something green to remember the summer by and hope for the Spring!
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕Yeah, I think many of the trees have already given up this year. Thank goodness for the evergreens!!
Charlie says, ” We’ve assured him that we don’t actually control the weather, but he’s still suspicious and yet to be convinced that we’re not lying to him.”
That is a classic!
The bird and blooms painting is spectacular.
Hehe! Thanks! 😃💕 Glad you liked that bit. Philippe and I talk about that all of the time. Phineas seems perfectly convinced we’re jerks or like to freeze small dogs.
Nicely composed and expertly executed. Great example for doodlers to aspire to. I think inking is very nice for the details of birds which I always find difficult. I gotta try it!
Thanks so much, Marsha! 😃💕Yeah, I really love to ink in when it comes to birds. I like the textures there, but it’s tough to replicate with just watercolor.
Lovely 👍
Thanks, Stephanie! 😃💕
Beautifully painted, Charlie 😍. I used to search a magnolia blossoms photo like my fb cover because I love its beauty. However, I haven’t seen a real one. Anh I love your story so much. Might say that I don’t want to read your story in haste, I’ve spent time to read it and feel it. ❤️
Aww that makes me so happy to hear, Loan! 😃💕 Thrilled you enjoyed this story! And yes, you need to see a magnolia blossom in person! Lovely!