We’ve reached the first day of June and a brand new Doodlewash art challenge! This month we’ll be exploring all of the fun things to find outdoors. Whether you sketch and or paint indoors or out is entirely up to you, it’s really just a theme. The first prompt up is “sunshine,” which could be just about anything really, but I chose to try a quick little sketch of sunglasses, as it was wildly sunny here today. Okay, my pair of sunglasses is not in the Doodlewash color shown here, but I’m still on the lookout for them and I’ll be buying them as soon as I find them! Also, it was so unseasonably hot here today that there was a “bad air” warning telling people they should stay indoors. A strange irony for the type of challenge I’ve launched this month, but I had to follow suit as it’s just too damn hot! As a kid, the summer meant a glorious time away from school. A time when you could plan amazing things and do all of the things that you’d been dreaming of trying, but couldn’t quite get to because of all the homework. Despite the fact that I still have to work all summer long, I still end up approaching summer in much the same way!
I have no extra time in the summer, but that little boy in me still longs to experiment and try things that have been lurking in my mind. That little kid was insatiable when it came to trying new things. Each summer would bring so many new projects that he could never quite be able to keep up with them all. And, I guess I have to admit, that the adult version hasn’t changed that much at all. I have lots of new things I’m going to try next, in general, and also definitely when it comes to Doodlewash and my sketches. I want to play and experiment a bit more and do things that might even feel a bit scary at first. The little me was literally never afraid. Absolutely convinced that he could do something simply because he intended to try it (even flying, but that’s another story entirely). Little Charlie would learn that not everything would work out as he intended, but even to this day, Old Charlie can’t seem to stop trying. If you really want to DO something, then honestly, you should always give it a go. The attempt is guaranteed to be rewarding no matter the result.
So for this fabulous July that we’re beginning, I hope each of you will use it as a month to explore whatever creative thing you’ve always wanted to try. Don’t worry about the end result as the end of a story is never quite as engaging as the middle. In the middle you have all of the passion, conflict, and victory that makes up all good stories. The end is simply a resolution, that while hopefully satisfying, was never really the main point in the first place. For my part, I choose to live in the middle of the story, hoping it never really ends. As I dutifully fill my sketchbook each and every day and ramble on a bit here, I’m adding to that story bit by bit. Some days are more exciting than others, to be sure, but I know that moving forward is as simple as turning the page. Each day a fresh new page awaits and I’m thrilled to find out what might happen there. I’m not trying to be an artist. I just want to feel what that little kid felt back during all the sunshine and summer days.
About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Quinacridone Red, Cobalt Turquoise, Terra Cotta and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia 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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Recommended5 recommendationsPublished in By Charlie
My favorite water colour artist! Lovely!
Aww thanks so much!! So thrilled you enjoyed this! 😃💕
Yes, those look like the perfect pair of sunglasses. I know they
are out there somewhere for
sale.
Thanks, June! 😃💕 Hehe… Ohhhh… I’m on the lookout for these to be sure! 😉
Absolutely love the shadows cast by your sunglasses! Ah yes, summer recess – the dream of every school child. I’m in permanent summer recess with retirement, doing whatever I durn well please and enjoying every minute of it. Got a new camera for my birthday and experimenting with videos. That’s my creative exploration for the month.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 I’ve tried glasses a few times now and the shadows are the hardest part! Glad you liked them! And YAY to creative exploration!! SO cool you’re experimenting with videos! I hope they’ll be ones you can share on Doodlewash! hehe I just got a microphone, so I’ll be experimenting with audio this month! 😉
“I just want to feel what that little kid felt back during all the sunshine and summer days.”
I hope you never lose that joie de vivre! It is for sure your work awakens it in the consumer. Thanks for the sunshine that you share. I love those polarized sunglasses
that continue the theme of a world with a rosy hue.
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕 Hehe… I don’t think I could lose that childlike joy for life if I tried! But why on earth would one ever try? 😉
As u are also my favourite kid chili. Haha
Yes i have same colour sun glasses kid size. Hahaha i am sending to you.
U r beautiful 🥀 indeed.
lol!! So happy I’m your favorite kid! Or at least kid at heart! hehe… thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕
I love summer! And your sunglasses!
Thanks, Lisa! 😃💕 Glad you liked these! A bit of an experiment, but I learned a lot!
Great color on the sunglasses! I have wonderful memories of childhood summers, and I still prefer this season (summer) over all others. The long days, filled with sun and water play, are absolutely the best.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 I have such a mixed view of summer. It can get SO hot hear it’s unbearable and I don’t like that. But those long days!! SO amazing!!
Now I’d like to hear the flying story. You may leave your sunglasses on if you like.
hehe! Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 I often have to search my own site to see what stories I’m retelling. I can’t remember if I’ve told that story or not. Either way, it comes out differently every time! lol
So it’s not a story but a movie – OK, then, I’ve got popcorn ready.
Like the philosophy and the glasses. I’m sure you eill find the perfect pair!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Hehe… I need these blue ones! Glad you liked this!
As always, I enjoy your Doodlewash and your words. Yes, summer is a special time and brings back special memories. Thanks, Charlie, for all your time and inspiration that you put into this.
That’s so sweet of you to say! I really appreciate it! Thank you so much Mary Beth! 😃💕 Glad you enjoy these posts!
Ahh, the perfect image for today’s thundery downpours. I find I look ridiculous in most pairs of sunglasses, but I’d like some in this colour regardless!
We were woken up today by wind… just wind… it was so loud! Followed by thundery downpours as well. But then everything turned sunny again. And me, without my blue sunglasses! LOL 😊I agree though, it’s tough to find a pair that works on me as well. Where they make others look sort of “cool” thing tend to make me look like a cartoon.
Yes, I know the feeling! Hats have the same effect. I look cartoonish enough as it is 😛
haha! I hat AND sunglasses?? Yep… then I turn full on cartoon, so I can totally relate!