Written by For our prompt of “Clock” today, I made a little sketch of a birdie finding a watch. They say that time flies, and I have to agree, as we count down to the start of World Watercolor Month this weekend. I hope you’ll join us throughout July by simply adding the hashtags #WorldWatercolorMonth and #WorldWatercolorMonth2023 whenever you post any artwork that features watercolors and/or gouache on social media during the month (prompts are totally optional… so simply use the hashtags to help spread the love and awareness for our wonderful cause, supporting the International Child Art Foundation!). I’ll be showing up daily once again with illustrations and stories throughout the month, and I’m super thrilled to begin! It’s a wonderful time to play and experiment, and I’ve already sketched out 31 ideas that are waiting to be transformed with lovely watercolor. That’s what I adore about this medium. No matter what I draw, I’m always rather surprised by what that sketch ultimately becomes when watercolor brings it to life. And, as ever, I’m never quite sure what words that resulting illustration will inspire!
I revealed my first four sketches for World Watercolor Month in my last Sketching Stuff newsletter (if you’re not signed up for that, you can do so here!). I’m not sure why I’ve never previously revealed my drawings prior to adding color. Perhaps, it was because of the element of surprise. Most of the time it was because I had made the drawing a few minutes prior to adding color so it wasn’t possible. Sometimes in my rush, I’ve almost forgotten to scan my drawing first to have anything to show at all. But since it’s always about making a fun coloring book page to me, it’s barely a spoiler. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen when my Inner Child gets a hold of them, including me! I don’t actually draw with colors in mind. I’m thinking I probably should? That level of planning is just something that doesn’t really suit me at all. It’s always been more fun to pretend I’m seeing that sketch for the very first time and just dive in while intuitively adding color.
There’s so much happening in the days leading up to World Watercolor Month that I sometimes feel like I’m spinning in circles. Philippe is pretty much a saint for dealing with me during this time, mostly because I get so nervous and excited. It’s quite a feat to pull this off each year and my only hope is that people will show up and join the fun. Bringing the world together, particularly in this day and age, is an idea that takes heaps of optimism. But, I truly believe that something like making art can bring us together in ways that most other approaches cannot. At least, that’s what Little Charlie believed back in 2016 when he lit upon the idea for a month to celebrate watercolor. It’s been quite a journey and yes, and I’ve grown quite a bit older in the process (over seven years older? Yikes! But yay! This will be the 8th global celebration!). So, no matter what happens next, I at least know that it’s really quite accurate when folks say that time flies. Particularly when you’re having fun!
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Benzimida Orange, Opus (Vivid Pink), Terra Cotta, And Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? SEND ME A NOTE HERE, and I’ll Add it To My Shop! |
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Ah ha Charlie! Great play on words–very clever, Time Flies. Good one. And this is your last painting for the month of June. I had a GREAT time with the prompts this month! Can’t wait to do more. And I loved your bird and watch. Beautiful colors that create gorgeous iridescence. And the older I get, the more I discover that time is moving much more quickly, as I wanted it to do when I was a child, and time took forever. We need to get a new watch that we can set! Happy WWM, Charlie! Thanks for everything.
Thanks so much, Fanna! 😃💕 And thanks for giving us the wonderful prompts this month! And I agree to the new watch! hehe… time is moving way too quickly now. I hope you have a very happy World Watercolor Month, my friend!
Great little bird and watch, Charlie! The older we get the faster time seems to fly by for sure. Looking forward to World Watercolor Month 2023. My sketchbook is made and sitting here waiting for the palette and brush to come out. Thanks for a fun month devoted to Watercolor!!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yeah, time seems to be zooming forward now. Yay for World Watercolor Month… it’s going to be so much fun!
How adorable
Thanks so much, Kellen! 😃💕
Love the ways the colors are iridescent! thoughtful writing, as always. 🙂
Aww thanks so much, Mary!! 😃💕
Great doodle Charlie. Every week on Instagram, when I get to your post I swipe to your sketch. It’s amazing how that bit of colour transforms the sketch.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 I am as well… I’m so happy I started saving the sketch. Watercolor really transforms things in ways I always fun to be unexpected.
So beautiful! I love the purple hues in there. 💜💜💜
Muchas gracias, mi amiga! 😃💕 Yeah it was pretty blue at first and I thought it could use a bit of purpling up! Glad ya liked it!
This is wonderful! The bird looks like it’s counting down the minutes, I think it’s excited about all the color possibilities and creations during the month of July!
Thanks so much, Chris! 😃💕 I hope you have a fabulous World Watercolor Month!!
Lovely bird and watch, Charlie! Thank you so much for creating Doodlewash and World Watercolor Month. I found you back in 2020 shortly after my mom passed away unexpectedly and that spurred my interest in watercolor sketches (even though I wasn’t active on the posts then). I can’t wait to get started!
Thanks so much, April! 😃💕 I’m so sorry for your loss. Yet, I’m so happy that you’ve found an interest in watercolor! I hope you have a wonderful and creative World Watercolor Month!
Hello Charlie,
Happy World Watercolor Month!🙂🥰 I love the little birdie and the post’s title even more today. Time really does fly and how! It feels like half the year has gone by in the blink of an eye. Reading through your post made me realize how many different approaches people take to create a painting. Each person does something different and there’s no right or wrong. That’s probably the best part of it. I’m hoping to participate this year but am not sure I’ll be following the prompts (some of them seen difficult). And I look forward to your daily posts❤
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 So happy you’ll be painting along! Yeah, the prompts are super challenging when they’re open-ended, and yet also super cool as it’s fun to come up with a creative idea in answer to them. It will be fun to return to daily posts. I hope you have a fantastic World Watercolor Month. Much love! ❤️
I’m late! I’m late to very important date! I’ve got a bunch of family here, and yesterday totally got away from me before I even knew it was gone. Strange how that seems to happen more often, the older you get. I’m looking forward to WWM, and I hope it doesn’t fly past so I have a chance to enjoy it!
I hope you enjoyed your family! And here’s to a fabulous World Watercolor Month!! 😃💕