Written by For our optional World Watercolor Month prompt of “Pose,” the first thing that came to mind was posing for a photo. These days, taking photos usually involves a smartphone of some kind and the regret that we didn’t evolve with all of this technology to grow much longer arms. Since I don’t sketch people, we have a couple of cats to demonstrate the idea. I actually think cats would love doing this, so they were my first choice. While candid photos are those taken while someone is unaware, a selfie does often require a proper pose. At least once has a chance to don just the right one and delete it if it doesn’t turn out just right. I remember taking selfies with polaroid cameras. It was the instant gratification before it actually became instant. Instead of getting an immediate result, however, everyone had to gather around while faces formed on paper like ghosts visiting from another realm. It was all quite magical and really fun. And when we had to wait, the result was always something worth keeping.
When Philippe and I first started dating, he was in Paris and I was here in the middle of the United States. We sent so many selfies during that time, our arms grew tired. Since I was trying to be impressive back then, I remember deleting several attempts while going for that perfect photo to send. I would make what I thought was my most alluring face and then when I examined the resulting photo, I realized instead that it looked more like I’d just developed the stomach flu. Indeed, I’ve never known how to create a sexy face, so in the end, I just went back to smiling like a fool. There was at least a certain charm in that to be found. I personally find smiles very alluring and a nice one will always catch my attention. I prefer candid and more natural smiles to the ones that seem like they’ve been practiced. But, I’m certainly not above practicing when it comes to sharing a photo online. The stakes are just a bit higher than a personal family polaroid.
But, like most things, my practice is just a couple of attempts and then I get bored and move on. It’s the same for my sketches, though they’re always basically the first attempt, because I barely have time to make the one you see here. So, I like to think of my sketches as little selfies, since they are always a reflection of my own thoughts and ideas. This combined with whatever I ramble on about completes the picture. A moment frozen and shared in time that even I didn’t quite expect to appear that day. That’s why this whole journey has been so much fun! For me, it’s just a chance to jump in and share whatever came to my crazy mind in the moment. That moment when I joyfully pick up my fountain pen and make a little sketch appear. Next, I colored it with watercolor and watched as things slowly start to appear like a polaroid picture as each and every day, I strike a pose.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Gold Ochre, Opus (Vivid Pink), Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta, and Indigo. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen 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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Fascinante, Charlie, me gusto mucho, la cara de pillos los gatos jajaja
Muchas Gracias, Eduardo! 😃💕 hehe!
Lol, this is funny and fabulous!
Thanks so much, Zertab! 😃💕
I find it so hard to create a painting from scratch. By the time I’ve done the sketches and figured it out, I’m bored with the whole thing. I admire your persistence and skill in creating them almost daily!
Aww thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 I think it’s because I’ve never thought about it like making a painting… I just color my doodles! 😉 hehe
Hahaha, I can picture that happening. And then there would be those embarrassing shots the cats would take of dogs sleeping, etc. Okay, I’ll be chuckling for the rest of the evening. Great post Charlie!
Aww thanks, Karen! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one! hehe
Such cute cats! Karen made me laugh. Can you imagine what animals would photograph? Us coming out of the shower? NOOOOOO! They would scurry off laughing. 😊 Madonna “Strike a Pose” is where my mind went and I was so excited to see what you came up with, but this was so much better. Cutie cats!
hehe!! Thanks, Marisela! 😃💕Yeah, it would never be Madonna, since I don’t sketch people! lol Glad you enjoyed this!
Charlie, with July and World Watercolor Month coming to an end, I just wanted to thank you for such wonderful paintings, inspiration to try more, to not fear painting what I can, for helping me remember memories that were long forgotten, for helping us take our minds off of the ugly scare right outside our doors, and for such wonderful giveaways. You have been a most gracious host! I feel like I gained a new friend!
Aww that’s so sweet! You have gained a new friend! And I’m so thrilled you’ve enjoyed the month! Hope that means you’re sticking around for August as well! 😉 💕
When I first started painting pears this month, it was nothing to just paint a pear shape and color it in, no drawing required, but as time went by and I got bored I began adding things and had to get down a quick pencil sketch. Still I don’t take much time because that would defeat the purpose of doing pears in the first place. Today’s turtle pulling a pear was probably the most elaborate drawing I had to do.
I just adore that you did pears all month! That’s such a fun idea!! I love it!! 😃💕
Ha ha. That’s a fun doodle.
Hehe! Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
That’s pure fun!
Thanks so much, Klaus! 😃💕
Charlie, I enjoy your paintings and those of your guests so much!!! Thank you!
Aww I’m so thrilled to know that, Heila! So happy you’re enjoying Doodlewash! 😃💕
Fascinating Charlie!
Thanks so much, Fatima! 😃💕
Thanks for the chuckle, Charlie. Your cats are cute!
Hehe! Thanks, Ruth! 😃💕 Glad I gave you a chuckle!
Oh my gosh! Wouldn’t that be hilarious if our pets did take selfies when we weren’t looking? Oh the stories they could tell! Well done!
Hehe!! I know, right?? lol Thanks so much, Lori! 😃💕
Preciousness!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕
OMG Charlie! More adorable kitties, but brilliant with a turquoise cell phone. You’re the best with those furry felines!
Thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 hehe… glad you enjoyed this one!
Love it! It might be something a cat would do LOL and I am still trying to understand the allure of a selfie…:)
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, me too… I’ve never liked taking selfies.
So funny – and so kitty-ish! I still don’t own a smart phone but I did get my first iPad about 10 months ago. Took it with me to visit family on the East Coast last November and tried to take my very first selfie on the train from New Jersey into NYC. The train is fast and a bit jerky. I got my 4 cousins to sit and was trying to figure out how to hold the iPad but I kept getting bumped by the train and the iPad is a bit heavy. I started laughing at how ridiculous the whole thing was- Old lady trying to take her first selfie, 4 cousins pretending they don’t know me, all the other train riders ready to pitch me out the window, and me laughing so hard, my mascara was cascading down my cheeks. Nope, no real selfie from the train but the memories are indelible. No wonder your kitties are laughing!
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 HAHA! I adore your story… that’s a beautiful scene indeed. Love that you took your first selfie. Yeah, this new tech is cool, but wow, makes me miss those times of less.