Written by Today’s prompt of “running wild” described perfectly how I’ve been feeling lately trying to keep up with everything that’s happening with World Watercolor Month! I adore the energy, enthusiasm and all the paintings that I see each and every minute and I find myself always rushing to view them all. I feel like a wild horse charging forward at times, so I decided to doodlewash one for today. Actually, when I first thought of painting a horse, I nearly painted a dessert instead, because horses are really tough to capture. But since this is the month to try new things and take chances, I charged forward and made a horse instead. It’s very freeing to just paint what’s on your mind instead of resorting to what you’re sure you can paint well. This is only the third time I’ve painted a horse and the second one was a unicorn, which I guess sort of counts. What I do know is that you should always allow yourself to take chances and just DO what’s on your mind. Just go for it and see what happens next, without worrying about whether or not it’s something easy or difficult. It’s always guaranteed to be something fun!
I used to ride horses as a kid, though I haven’t actually done so in years. I loved the feeling of being on a horse during a hard trot, rushing through the trees, feeling like someone had pressed fast forward on the world itself. It’s an amazing feeling to have time both stand still, and rush forward, all in the same moment. I was so into horses that I had several toy versions of them in a little wooden stable. They were all Breyer horses as those always seemed to be the most realistic. I knew them, so I wouldn’t settle for a rushed interpretation. There’s such an interesting bond between horse and rider. I’m still not entirely sure the horse was happy about the fact that I was sitting on top of him, but we still connected. We understood each other and knew what to do next, together. It’s an amazing feeling to experience that type of connection. I honestly feel that same connection with all of you. Loving watercolor is such a transformative thing, and it’s such a thrill to be surrounded by so many people who feel the same exact way.
And as we push through this amazing month, I do hope that you’ll stop for a moment and support the spirit of giving that it was founded for in the first place. If you haven’t yet, please consider making a donation to The Dreaming Zebra Foundation in honor of World Watercolor Month! And as always, I have something to give back to you as well! Today, I’m giving the first 5 artists who haven’t yet received one yet, a Hahnemühle Cézanne, mould-made, 300gsm, Cold-Press, 9.44″x12.59″, 10 sheet block. Just comment directly on doodlewash.com to let me know you one want one with the phrase, “Paint From The Heart!” We’re past the mid-point of the month so for all of you taking on the 31 watercolors in 31 days challenge, please keep charging forward. Share you beauty with the world to see and make something new each and every day. It’s not about trying to create your next masterpiece. It’s just about rushing forward, forgetting time and space, and happily painting whatever comes to mind. Perhaps, even running wild!
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Azo Orange, Pyrrol Red, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book. |
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Paint From The Heart! Wow, what a gorgeous horse!
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 And I’ll have Hahnemühle send you a sample!
Paint from the heart!
Yes to that always, Sharon!! 😃💕 And I’ll have Hahnemühle send you a sample!
Charlie, this horse is magnificent! There is nothing you can’t paint! Id love to paint from the heart on that paper 🙂
Aww you’re too sweet!! Thanks, Carol!! 😊💕 And you’ll get your chance! I’ll have Hahnemühle send you a sample!
Thanks, Charlie 😃
Paint From The Heart! That horse is wonderful – I own one that looks just like it. 🙂
Thanks, Kaitlyn! 😊💕 And cool!! That’s so awesome you have a horse!! And yay! I’ll have Hahnemühle send you a sample!
“Paint From The Heart!”
Yay! 😊💕You got the last one today, Tamiko, but I’ll need you to send me your address here (sent you a note via Doodlewash.Club as well!): https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Got my paper today.. Im surely feeling special!!!
Awesome!! I know you’re going to LOVE it!!!
Paint from the heart. What a beautiful horse. Your paintings are soooo good.
Have you ever been to Chincoteague, Virginia where they round up the wild ponies?
Thanks, June!! 😃💕 I’ve not been there, but sounds like it would be a wonderful experience! And I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving them out!
Paint from the heart!
Yes to that, Crystal!😃💕 I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving them out!
Paint from the heart!
Yes to that, Lisa!😃💕 I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
Love the Hahnemühle Cézanne! ( I already have one ) I use to have a horse, he would follow me around like a big ole puppy dog, so sweet! “Paint From The Heart!”…definitely!
Aww that’s so sweet, Sandee! I loved it when I’d get a horse that was like that… my sister-in-law had one that would only respond to her and nearly wanted to kick everyone else! hehe 😊
Wow! Horses are hard! I’m humbled!
Aww thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Just a tough of daily practice!
Charlie, you really did move away from what makes you comfortable in art – and this painting is wonderful, capturing your spirit as well as the horse’s. Please do not tell me you made in less than a half hour as you were running short of time, because that will have me sobbing all night long. Painting only with green, blue, and neutral proves your genius sufficiently – now admit you spent hours on this and missed dinner altogether.
Uhmmmm…. I…. took a bit longer on this one? 😊hehe… But it was still in my little hour as I never want to miss dinner!! Philippe’s cooking is too awesome!! And I realized I forgot to update my colors, so I’m not quite as awesome as that! I’m moving way too fast these days… like this horse! But it was great to get out of my comfort zone and try this. I realized I had never attempted an entire horse in my life, so yay! 😃💕
Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Nicole! 😃💕
Beautiful painting!
Aww thanks, Michelle! 😃💕
Paint from the heart. Thanks again.
Yes to that, Jessica! And it’s my pleasure!😃💕 I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
Beautiful horse! Paint from the Heart!
Thanks so much, Susan!! 😃💕 I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
Paint from the heart. Charlie, this horse is awesome. So much energy in it.
Aww thanks, Teri! 😃💕 I wasn’t sure if I could pull this off, but I ended up liking it in the end! Fun to try something challenging! And I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
WOWZA!!!!!!! to the horse Charlie!!!!!!! Amazing!!!! <3 Paint from the Heart! <3
Aww thanks, Jodi!! 😃💕 Yeah, I was sooo happy when a horse actually appeared… lol … it was so challenging! And I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
Love the horse painting and your blog. I just returned from a watercolor painting demo by an artist who has been painting for 70 years. You could feel his love for the painting as he quietly painted and then told us how he loves it and paints almost every day. Then I came home and read your blog about the connection with watercolor and all of us connected through the watercolor. I am so glad I have discover this amazing process of paint and water….and a lot of fun to fill my retirement days.
Thanks so much, Mary!! 😃💕 I’m thrilled you joined our community here! Yay! And wow!! 70 years? I won’t be around to paint that long, that’s so amazing. But it’s truly a magical thing, and such a wonderful thing for retirement! (and this is the part when I show no jealously at all that you’re retired and I’m not! hehe Big hug!)
Paint From The Heart! Oh my, too late, I did follow the blog all day waiting for the post, but still didn’t catch it in time today!
Yes to that Agatha! 😃💕 Yeah, this one is tougher because I only have 5, but you can sign up in the sidebar on my site to receive my posts in email as soon as I post them. I post in the evenings CST time… whenever I finish, which is roughly consistent, but can vary by an hour so so. And there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
What a fantastic horse painting! You have the best daily prizes, too! I did donate to the foundation, but I will also be sending them some art supplies shortly.
Thanks so much!! And yay! Thanks so much for donating to The Dreaming Zebra Foundation!! 😃💕
Paint From The Heart. Your 3rd (!) Horse is amazing with so much great energy. I love your spirit and it comes through in your work. Well Done.
Thanks so much, Dodie! 😃💕 What a lovely compliment! And I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
Paint From The Heart! I love this wild horse Charlie! Let’s keep running this month of July is amazing!!! 😉 <3
Isn’t it cool?!! Having such a blast this month and love see all the enthusiasm and new folks joining in the celebration! Yay! 😃💕And I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
“Paint From The Heart!”
Yes to that, Kirsty!😃💕 I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
I love your horse….
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕
Well I found some time to catch a sneak peak on WP and what a surprise, a horse 😀Made my day as I have little time to check out others lately, or post myself….maybe you will have sent me some of that galloping strive to get posting again more frequently. They are tough beasts to paint, I still struggle with whole bodies, third attempt, bravo, 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Thank you for a great catch up Charlie ❤️
Rebecca!!!! I was actually thinking about you when I posted this, but didn’t think you’d see it!! Yay!! That made my day!! So happy you liked him! 😃💕And yes… this horse has been sent to tell you to post more often!! Hope all is going well with you! Big hugs!
you can SO paint a horse!!
Aww thanks so much, Kaye!! 😃💕
That’s a great painting!
Thanks, cybaea! So happy you liked it! 😃
I think you always paint from the heart! This is spectacular! Not a doodle in the least! I’m amazed.
Aww you’re too sweet! Thanks so much, Lydia! 😃💕hehe… they’re all my doodlewashes, but some turn out cooler than others. I liked how this guy turned out. Glad you did too!
Paint from the heart. Woohoo
Yes to that, Martha!😃💕 I ran out of samples today, but there are two more Monday’s left where I’m giving these out!
Your horse is amazing! Such movement and grace. I love the little dots of colour behind his hoof – you can so clearly sense his speed. Well done! I love the way you have layered the paint to get the coat colour. Being new to the art of watercolour, it is important and helpful to me that I see the techniques ‘in action.’ A lot to learn from this beautiful painting – certainly not a doodle! Which is not to demean doodles by the way – they are important. 🙂
Thanks, Jakki! 😃💕hehe! I coined the term doodlewash so I had something to call my watercolor paintings instead of “art” as that’s so silly and relative and nobody can agree on what it means anyway! So it’s definitely always a “doodlewash”! And so happy you liked this one!!
What a fantastic painting, Charlie! This is one of your best – I keep looking over it finding more detail. Love the splatters that give it the sense of kicking up dirt. And all with only four colors. : ) I think your long love and connection with horses really crept into this one. Just beautiful.
Thanks so much, Ellie!! What a sweet compliment! 😃💕 I was pleased with how this one came out and it was fun to splatter paint a bit as I don’t usually do that! And I love limited palette… it’s way more fun to mix and layer colors on paper for me. I probably could have done this in 3 but I love M Graham Azo Orange!
Wow Charlie. Just wow for this one. (K)
Aww thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 I have to admit I was a little shocked to see an actual horse appear! I’m pleased with how this one turned out! Glad you liked it to!
The combination of movement, power and majesty in this horse is incredible – and no mean feat. Bravo, Charlie O!
Thanks so much, Jacob! 😃💕 It was fun to gallop out of my comfort zone. hehe… and yeah… I nearly ran away screaming, but I’m glad I muddled through this one. I’m not sure I could replicate it, so might be back to dogs next. lol
Charlie I love this!
Aww thanks so much, Kate!! 😃
I love your picture of the brown horse – it could be an illustration for an old book I re-read recently, ‘The Wild Heart’ about a horse called ‘La Bruja’, galloping around the south american plains. Such skill to be able to create an image like that, I’m so impressed. Kind regards, Cathy
Aww cool! So happy you liked this Cathy! 😃💕
I totally had some Breyer horses, too, as a kid. One of them, a little grey appaloosa colt (maybe?) was my favorite thing for, like, EVER.
I may have to hunt one down and draw it now. <3
I think my mom might still have some of mine, but I’m not sure. Breyer horses were the best! 😃💕
I’m just today seeing this. Incredible…if you can paint this in, except humans. .an hour, imagine what you can do in a day or two or three or more. I wouldn’t even know where to start as I know nothing about the anatomy of a horse (or any animals)
when you are old enough to retire and have all the time in the world to paint….you are going to be more famous than you are now (to us on Doodlewas)
Aww you’re so sweet! Thank you so much, Kaye!! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, I used to ride horses so I think there was a lot of memories there that helped. Weirdly, I’m far better at animals than people, but hope to try more portraits in the coming year.