Written by Stumped on what to do for today’s prompt of “motion,” since I like to paint stationary objects, I opted for some food in motion. In this case, a lonely strawberry being splashed into a bit of cream or milk, whichever you prefer. This was a bit more challenging than I expected and so I’m racing to complete this post. Which also involves trying to figure out what I have to say about strawberries splashing around as I was simply desperate to come up with something to match the prompt. My early experiences with strawberries where mainly in the form of a powdered drink known as Quik that you added to milk. It made it a lovely pink color with beet juice powder and had a bunny on the can, so it was immediately my favorite. It was magical to watch the milk turn into a surreal and slightly saturated color when mixed with the delightful powder. To this day, I still don’t understand why a bunny was chosen as a mascot for these powdered drinks, but as a kid I never really questioned it. Bunnies were always welcome.
For those following along, I should note that this is the sixth doodlewash in my new Hahnemühle Watercolor Book (I should note the fine folks at Hahnemühle gave this to me to test out, but these opinions and/or rambles are my own). I’m happy to report that I’m really loving it! The paper is thinner than my previous sketchbook, but each time I think I’ve added too much water or color so that it might breach the other side, it turns out just fine. My previous sketch of mirror cake was quite a test as it included multiple glazes of color to get the appearance of shiny icing. Pressed back into the sketchbook with the tight elastic cord, the paper flattened back out and was ready for a new sketch on the other side the next day. A the cover, as I mentioned before, is so gorgeous! The thinner paper gives it a delightfully light and thin form factor that I can stash in my bag more easily than what I was using before. Though the paper texture is a bit rougher than the little red sketchbook I found in Paris, my pen slides easily across it. The only thing that becomes a challenge is, when I go to scan it, the texture shows up a bit more than I’d like. A small and personal qualm, to be sure, of a really exceptional sketchbook, which I can now say that I’d happily recommend!
As for strawberries and bunnies, well, what’s not to love about that?! Actually, I’m a huge strawberry fan in just about any form I can get them. But if you would like to add a bit of cream, I would not have the will power to stop you. Homemade whipped cream is my favorite topping for this little red treat, with just the tiniest touch of sugar. I don’t have either sitting in front of me right now and so I’ve painted myself into a yearning I can’t quite satisfy. Instead, I’m about to have a bit of Irish soda bread. This with a tiny cup of espresso will have to do for this evening. I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying a little treat of your own. It’s good to treat ourselves every now and then. Whether it’s something small or truly decadent, it only matters that it makes us smile. It’s how we show ourselves that we matter. And if you actually happen to have the ingredients handy, then I’d highly recommend having yourself a little strawberry splash!
Join us for the March Art Challenge: Paint What You Love,
Click Here to Learn More!
About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Indian Yellow, Red Orange, Sennelier Red, Phthalocyanine Blue, Phtalo. Green Light, and Payne’s Grey. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book. |
 |
|
I too remember Quik and have always liked strawberries in milk or cream! Love the colour and the movement in your study! I had a meringue desert in Hoopers, Torquay, England with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries – loved painting it as much as I loved eating it!
Colour makes me feel so happy – thank goodness I am not colourblind.
Thanks so much, Eileen! 😃💕 I so agree… I can’t imagine not being able to see so many colors. It’s truly a gift!!
Yum, strawberries, one of the fruits I most like as the actual strawberry but not as a strawberry flavoring. Same with pineapples for me. The artificial flavor is too strong. Have never had the pink drink, the closest to that being Pepto Bismal which for obvious reasons I dislike enormously. I’m rambling too, and I don’t even have the notebook to blame it on.
BTW, I like seeing the texture of watercolor papers. Always find it interesting. Different points of view, right? Your Doodlewash is really gorgeous – love the milk splashing up around the berry – like it’s just going for a swim. Do you enjoy going back through your sketchbooks to see your past paintings?
Now I also want a strawberry but none in the house. For tomorrow’s shopping list.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah… no artificial flavors for me… they’re yucky! hehe And I do agree that a bit of texture is cool sometimes. I think what is different here is that it’s a bit more uneven than I’d like. But a small quibble… the sketchbook is awesome! Actually I never really go back through them. hehe I have spun through the thumbnails on Instagram before just to see if I see improvement. But I think I’m about to, as I plan to scan some things for my Society6 store soon! 😉
Strawberries are a real sign of a good summer, big and juicy! I prefer mine alone, best straight off the plant. But I still don’t think I could refuse yours 😀….I also have .hahnemuehle watercolour paper 200lb and love it.
Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕 And yay! I’m glad you’re enjoying that sketchbook as well. I think it’s awesome. I’m so impressed with the paper!
Your very own ‘Bigger Splash’, Charlie. Wonderful! I love Hahnemühle paper, at least the ones I’ve tried. Their Nostalgie sketchbooks are wonderful for both drawing and painting.
Thanks so much, Michael! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m definitely enjoying this one. The thinner form factor is great for porting it work to sneak in a base sketch! hehe
Great picture, Charlie! Love strawberries too, with sugar and cream (not whipped). That´s how my grandma used to make them for me. 😊🍓
Thanks so much, Ann! 😃💕 Awww that’s lovely! I’m so glad this brought my memories of your grandma! yay!
A nice preview for summer! (hopefully spring will arrive sometime between then and now…) (K)
Thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕 yeah… I think it’s going to be warm here just in time for the first day of spring. It was sooooo cold at the beginning of the week, I thought I have my Weather App set to Celsius! hehe
I loved strawberry Quik when I was a kid. My Mom often had a snack waiting for us when we got home from school and I always got excited when Quik sitting there next to my cup because she knew I liked to stir it in. Your doodle for today is fabulous. I love the splash of cream. It’s perfect.
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Yeah, strawberry Quik was so much fun! And I liked to stir it too!! hehe Didn’t want to miss that part. Too funny!
Wonderful splashing strawberry, Charlie! I’m not sure what I like best: your drawings, your words, or the creative takes you have on prompts. Well, I guess all three are you. I remember Quik, but we usually only had the chocolate. And I’m going to spend the day thinking about why that bunny was the mascot – I never thought about it, but now I can’t get it out of my mind.
Awww thanks, Ellie! 😃💕 This has been such a fun month of prompts. I love the anything goes aspect. I usually don’t know what I’ll choose for a post, but now I really don’t know! Lol Yeah…. I was more a fan of the strawberry for some reason. Actually, I always preferred that as a kid to chocolate. hehe
A strawberry splashdown! You’ve captured motion in an instant here, Charlie! Well done. 🙂
Thanks so much, Tom!! yay! Glad you liked it! 😃💕
Your beautiful painting is a treat all its own! I love the velvety texture of the leaves and the bright spots on the fruit’s skin. And the motion! As others have said, you’ve captured it perfectly. One question, though: When do we see the bunny? 🙂
Thanks so much, Heide! 😃💕 hehe… I think I’ve only ever painted one bunny, but it was a real one. Not the crazed cartoon one on the can of Quik. lol