Written by When thinking of a prompt of “someone you love” there were, of course, many people in my life that came to mind. But, there’s certainly one person that rushes to the top of the list and that’s my husband, Philippe. Though I did attempt a quick initial sketch of him, my ability to achieve a good likeness is still quite horrific. It looked nothing like him, and what’s worse, didn’t even make me think of him when I looked at it, so it failed on all levels. Had I proceeded, it would have had the less romantic effect of looking like I was cheating on him with a much less attractive stranger. So, I opted for wedding bands instead. In the end, I also prefer sketching “stuff” because it’s more universal and relatable. Unless, of course, that odd little man I sketched looked like someone you knew. But that’s not likely to be very many of you out there, thankfully. Love, however, is something quite universal, and something in everyone’s life. And even if you choose to not get married, it’s the best feeling in the world to choose to be with someone and have them make the same choice.
I have to admit that I’m no expert on romantic love and why on earth it even happens in the first place. Even when it’s happened to me throughout my life I’m often left perplexed as to the reason. There’s a spark of some kind and then a connection that you can’t really explain at all. And, depending on the source of that spark, sometimes it’s not even something you can explain to your parents very easily. Though a spark lights a fire, the relationship does often move to a smoldering glow after time. This is simply out of necessity as it would be thoroughly exhausting to maintain over many years. But, even if the fire isn’t blazing as brightly as it was in the beginning, the spark that started it all never really goes away. For me, there’s the sparkle in Philippe’s eyes that always reminds me why I chose him. Why he chose me, is anyone’s guess really. I think I asked him once and he just shrugged and said, “I just knew you were the one.” This doesn’t answer a single question specifically, of course, and is terribly devoid of facts one would expect from a PhD scientist, but I adored that answer. Sometimes in life, you just know what’s meant to happen next, and there’s no other way to explain it.
I think I’m certainly a romantic at heart. I’ve lived my life letting my heart lead the way, often when my mind is nearly screaming for me to reconsider. The way I see it, when you follow your heart, there’s a definite chance you could experience extreme sadness, but it’s equally the only path to infinite joy. So, for me, it’s totally worth the risk. There’s usually always a set of rules out there for whatever you hope to accomplish. One can google them and discover full lists of exactly what you should do next. Though the tips and tricks are awesome, they don’t usually get to the heart of the matter. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to life. Each person, completing the exact same steps, will produce a rather different outcome. The difference is that bothersome heart that sneaks in and alters a thing or two along the way. A perfectly unique viewpoint that innocently changes everything. It’s the very thing that makes whatever we create somehow uniquely us and beautiful. Like the strange and impossible to describe viewpoint that made us fall in love with that special person. The only thing I can ever be sure of when my heart takes the lead is that whatever it chose, we’ll always be together, forever.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Terra Cotta, and Cobalt Blue. (My “Shiny” Trio! Click Here To Purchase It!). Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Photo Reference: Jeff Belmonte from Cuiabá, Brazil. 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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Especially beautiful painting of your rings! You are totally right about love – it’s a spark that roars into a fire, then magically remains as glowing embers. I’m so glad you and Philippe found each other.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕Yes, love is indeed an odd and wonderful thing. But true love continues to glow in the most magical way!
awwww. <3 love the love!
hehe! Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 Love is the best thing ever!
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Thanks so much!! 😃💕
This is beautiful. Lovely Doodlewash of your rings as well. Happy marriage forever.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 It’s a wonderful life indeed when you find that perfect other person.
Aw I love this post as I am truly a woman of heart. I am a hopeless romatic.
Thanks, Mireya! 😃💕 I think I simply must be a woman at heart as well… hehe… I’m totally a hopeless romantic! 😊
I made a strange discovery about doing portraits, though I don’t know if it would work for everyone. I think the image we have in our heads and what our eyes are seeing are different, and it causes havoc when trying to do a portrait. If you eliminate the vision in your heads, and focus on what you see, it becomes easier. So I approach my reference – whether live model or photo – as though I were painting a building.
I’m an anti-romantic in a way, because I think it is hormones, pheromones, experience, and the preferences that are built into our family DNA that cause us to fall in love with a certain person. But to me that just seems more magical. How wonderful that we are born with this mix of chemicals that help steer us through life. And how wonderful that there is someone else out there with a matching mix.
Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕 I use that technique for things as well! I also flipped him upside down… but in the end, I realized my biggest block is that he’s not a universal specific. He’s just mine. I think that’s why I don’t like sketching people unless it’s from behind. It’s too specific to me, and I like to make things that everyone can relate to so much more! And, since I married a scientist, I love that line of thinking. It is magical to think that all of those things steer is in the right direction!
Love is strange and wonderful. (K)
So true! 😃💕 And that’s why I love it so much! hehe
That is a lovely post! The heart wants what it wants. Joe and I met at 16, but got together in our early 30s, and married at 34. What I know about him now is that he is the kindest man I know. Kindness is number one on my list of things I want in another human being. It makes up for a lot. Even crankiness caused by doing taxes. Lol guess what we are doing this week at our house. 😁
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕And oh no… no taxes! lol But yes to kindness… so true… if that’s there, anything is possible and even the worst days are made better!
Beautiful post Charlie, I especially liked the part about the possibility of sadness but totally worth it. Yep!! Thank you again for sharing your heart and life with us. ❤️
Thanks so much, Margaret! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this post. I think that possibility of sadness probably also applies to our paintings some days. lol But when love is there, we just can’t be stopped!
Charlie says, “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to life.”
and he’s not just whistling Dixie.
Beautiful, Charlie. If it is not your anniversary, I would definitely suggest giving hubby both post and painting. Fine and lovely!
Thanks so much, Sarah! 😃💕I did actually read part of this one out loud to him (he doesn’t read my posts! lol). And he really liked it.
well, I hit enter too soon…I meant ‘make the presentation to him on your anniversary’ whether that occasion is now or later. It is a beautiful gift to give the one you share your life with.
hehe! Thanks! He actually has wanted a few of my doodlewashes for the wall, but he’s never decided on which ones so there are none hanging in our house! 😊lol
that’s just not right
I love the way you have rendered gold…you are quite good in rendering metals in watercolour….I have a separate cartridge paper sketchbook for rendering metals like gold, silver, platinum, copper, brass,etc with Prismacolor colour pencils. But my coloured pencil blending needs to improve….
Thanks so much, Anita! 😃💕 I love shiny things in watercolor…. it just seems so well suited for them. It’s so much fun!
What is love? Okay, that is too serious of a question for so early. My husband gives me the same answer as Phillippe, except he ads “from the first time I met you”. We will be hitting 29 years this Fall, so I have accepted that answer because it has a pretty good track record. 😉 Love your rings. I went for the not so obvious, my 94 year old aunt for someone I love. She’s an amazing woman.
Thanks, Lori! 😃💕 Yeah, love is whatever the two people who have it determine it is! lol And that’s awesome that your chose your aunt! Love that!
I forgot to mention. You should try sketching Phillippe upside down. Lol, actually take a photograph of him, turn it upside down along with your sketchbbook. See how it turns out. This technique is from that Right Brain book.
Yeah, I actually tell others to use that trick as well! I tried everything, but the real problem is that I don’t like sketching things that specifically personal. I prefer stuff that brings back memories for everyone! I think that explains my reticence to sketch people in general. There’s no one skin tone that would encompass all of my friends! 😉 hehe
I don’t like sketching people either. If I do, it is in my “dolly” version and let the people’s imagination see the real person. Why be miserable trying to do it?!
hehe! True! That’s why I just skip the things I don’t adore sketching. There are plenty of things in the world to sketch, so it’s not possible to run out even when we omit things. 😉
Charlie I love your painting, love your story and love your heart! Love is such a precious gift – and you, sweet boy, are blessed for having it! 💝
I laughed so at your discussion of Philippe’s portrait! I know that scenario all too well as it has happened to me on more than one occasion! 😂😂😂
Thanks so much, Von! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, one day I might be able to make a proper portrait of him, but then again, I have the real thing, and that’s so much better! 😉
Always follow your heart. Nice post; lovely pic.
JP
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Yes… I truly think if we follow our heart, we’ll always be heading in the proper direction.
Your explanation of following your heart is so, so true; a mix of possible sadness and infinite joy. But, how sad would it be to not take that path…so much to gain by following the heart.
Glad you enjoyed this, Mary! 😃💕 I know, right? It would be a grim world indeed if we didn’t risk doing what our heart tells us.
For me, romantic love has changed over the past 30+ years of my marriage, and it is interesting to note the changes along the way. It boils down to cherishing, respecting, and wanting to make one another’s lives better each day. I feel blessed to be living in this awesome love! You spelled it out well, Charlie! 😘💖🥰
Aww I love that, Carol! 😃💕What a beautiful way to describe it! So true… it’s the best ever!
Love this post, Charlie! Beautifully said. I’ve been married nearly 25 years, and love only gets better. Different, but most definitely better. Cheers to love! (And maybe both of us being able to draw people one day – ha!)
Thanks so much, Tonya! 😃💕 Yay to love and yes, it does just get better over time. And so true… maybe that’s the case with drawing people as well! lol Actually, I already know the answer to that… practice is always the solution! hehe
beautifully said and illustrated <3
Thanks so much, Gaeyle! 😃💕