Written by Today marks the beginning of a brand new month and therefore, a new Doodlewash adventure! This it what I always called my monthly art challenges and themes when I very first started sketching and painting, and that’s still the same feeling today as I continue to learn and sketch stuff. This month is also Inktober, so I’m going to use that as a great excuse to focus a bit more on practicing drawing. Basically, I’m trying a bit more doodle in the wash this month, as I play with pen and ink and watercolor! As a kid, I was fascinated by the ink illustrations in some of my favorite books, and even more enamored when they appeared in glorious color. My typical style has been to create a very simple outline in ink, much like a kid’s coloring book and then gleefully coloring it in with watercolor. The lines were mostly guidelines while watercolor did all of the heavy lifting. This month, I’m going to get more inky in an attempt to play with a different balance between ink and watercolor. And, I’ll be sharing my ink drawings as I go along (if you’re on Instagram, swipe left to see the ink only version, and everywhere else, simply read the full post on Doodlewash!). It’s going to be a fun journey this month and I’m excited to see what we all create next!
Today’s doodlewash of onions and its rings, fulfills both the Doodlewash and Inktober prompts, which, by the way, will be the case with most all of the Doodlewash prompts this month. This way it’s much easier for people to do both challenges at the same time, if they choose to DO so. But, as ever, sketch or paint whatever your heart tells you if a prompt doesn’t spark your creative fire that day. I’m excited because I figured out a great use for one of my Lamy Al-Star pens that I haven’t really used yet. I made a brand new pen by simply purchasing a Broad nib and swapping it out with my usual Extra Fine nib. I adore it! I was worried that it would only make thick lines, but instead, I’m able to make a multitude of lines of varying thicknesses.
I’m so excited to use this nib more throughout the month and have even purchased another to try with my beloved sepia ink. I had Philippe try my “new” pen tonight and he concurred that it’s rather awesome. Sure, I was just wanting buy-in to get yet another new art supply this month, but I’m equally glad he enjoyed it as well. After over four years of sketching stuff, I’m super excited for the month ahead. I’ve not stepped out of my comfort zone much in the past few months, so this is the perfect month to spread my wings and try!
As with any new journey I start, I’ve no idea where it will lead me next. I think that’s quite often the best way to start any new journey, especially when it comes to art. My only goal is a time frame, which is just one little month. Not much time at all, and easily DOable as I’ve shown up to prove each month for over 50 months now! My own little secret is that I DO this just for fun. Sure, I want to get better and I want to illustrate my own books one day, but the reason I show up and share is simply because I enjoy it so much. There’s something magical about pursuing a passion, without the pesky goal of mastery. I’ve no intention of mastering watercolor or drawing or anything I set out to accomplish in my life. I simply want to DO it the best that I personally can and push myself to try new things along the way. And most of all, I just push myself to actually show up and DO it already. It’s well-documented that we improve the more we practice, after all. And, who knows, maybe one day I’ll write and illustrate that book that I have spinning in my head. One thing is certain, I will most definitely try. And, that’s the best feeling in the world. Something amazing is coming in the future, I can just feel it. Yet, for today, I’m quite content with just a bit of ink and watercolor that made some storybook onions.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Opus (Vivid Pink), Quinacridone Red, Terra Cotta, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen (Broad Nib) with black ink 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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Now here’s a drawing, painting and ramble to make you cry! Not from the smell, of course, but from the joy of seeing the drawing as well as the painting and sitting back to enjoy the ramble the resulted from it!
Thanks s much, Sandra! 😃💕Glad you enjoyed this! I’m excited for October… I’m trying all sorts of new things this month!
Great rings of onion Charlie! I am also challenging myself this month but not tonight. I spend a big part of today prepping for tomorrow which is setup day for my first public showing of my watercolor paintings. Just a tab distracted!
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m with you! I’m challenging myself a bit during the first few days, but I’ve no idea if I’ll be able to keep it going or not. Yet, as ever, it’s just about having FUN and showing up, so it’s all going to be awesome in the end!
Crying for joy, here! Lovely onions and wonderful prompt.
Thanks so much, Kathy! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this!
Fabulous and love seeing the art both ways sweeeeettttt 🙂
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕 Yep! All month long… art both ways… it’s really fun. In today’s post, I personally preferred the drawing. hehe… going to be an awesome month!
Those onions look so real I should have tears in my eyes.
Instead, I’m craving onion rings, fresh from the fryer and
dipped into honey mustard or ranch dip. O, what have
you done!!
Oh yes! Onion rings are the best!! 😃💕 hehe… I almost sketched those, but ended up with raw ingredients instead.
Well done! The onions look amazing. I’ve always liked the look of red onions. They are the rock stars of the onion family.
Totally! hehe I agree, Lisa! 😃💕 They just sort of flaunt it… so purply and awesome! Love red onions!
Great line work on that onion drawing! Happy Inktober.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Happy Inktober to you as well!
Mmmmmmm red onions, my favorites, specially with sweet peppers, potatoes and pieces of salmon, all cooked on the BBQ, and glaced with maple syrup…. Mmmmmm…. Good watercolor Charlie….
Thanks so much, Walt! 😃💕 Yeah, I actually despised these as a child, but as an adult, I adore them!
Love the color of onion rings, Charlie 😍
Thanks so much, Loan! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one!
Well done! I am excited to see all your before sketches. Thanks for doing that!
Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I’m sort of posting them after and before. Backwards, a bit, but should come as no surprise to those who follow me. lol
Really like your message of showing up every day at our best to follow our passions. Love your onion and rings.
Thanks so much, Bonnie! 😃💕 Yeah, I think that’s the number one advice I’ve learned on this journey. All we really need do is show up. It’s really just that simple in the end.
Love seeing the ink and the watercolor!! Lots of detail in that ink! 🧡
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yep, I”m getting extra inky this month! lol And it’s so much fun!
Yay for the broad nib making variable marks, I have put it on my list to try with my lami pen.
Yay! hehe! That’s awesome, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s still a bit wily in that if you apply too much pressure, it’s really bold. But, once I got used to it I realized I could get all marks from fine to broad making it my current favorite!
I so need one of those, 🙂 I love variable lines.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 Yeah, you need one of these… the broad tip Lamy is really awesome!