Written by Since summer heat is bearing down where I live, the thought of being next to water sounded rather refreshing. Today’s prompt of “by the pool” is a lovely notion, but since I haven’t had time to hang out by the pool yet this season, I’m just enjoying the idea via a quick little doodlewash. Now it’s incredibly difficult to write anything as I’m sort of lost poolside in that blissful state where you don’t quite know what time it is and certainly don’t care. Like a casino, without the financial stress. It’s a lovely place to be for sure! I feel that way oftentimes when I’m sketching and painting with watercolor. It’s such a wonderful experience and nearly everything around me fades into the background for just a bit. So relaxing! I’m sure there would be a bit more stress if I worried about whether what I was creating was perfect or amazing. I’m just always happy to have managed to make something. To show up with a little doodlewash of some kind is really all I strive to do. Sure, I wish I could do that style or that technique I just saw scroll by, and maybe one day I will try. But today, I’m happy with my own sketchy style and pleased that I’m only 3 days away from my 750th daily doodlewash! It just sounds like a number that should be a milestone, and a perfect excuse for dessert!!
It’s been such an amazing journey over the past couple of years. I sometimes feel like I have absolutely no clue what I’m doing when it comes to painting. I think that’s indicative of watercolor itself. It’s not mastering a medium so much as learning how to dance with another partner. You can memorize all the moves and know what you expect to happen next, but then your partner moves in a slightly different direction. And so you move with them, so the dance can continue, venturing out of the planned choreography into unknown territory. This exact lack of control and spontaneous experience is why I love this medium. It’s freeing and fun to join this dance each day. Some days, I feel like watercolor and I have created a rather amazing performance and other days, it just feels like we had a lot of fun dancing together. Either way, it’s worth the time we spent moving to the music and I enjoy each and every moment.
Once again today, of course, I have something to give to you, but this one I’ve given away a few times, so it’s only available to people who haven’t yet gotten any freebie yet this month from these posts or the official giveaways! Today, I’m giving away 10 Joe Miller Travel Painter Palettes with a round sable brush when you comment with, “Let’s Stay Cool!” Yeah, I’m totally running out of phrases for these things, but it’s a lovely thought. Watercolorists are quite cool and it’s been fun to watch all your amazing works scroll by in the Official World Watercolor Month Gallery. Again, if you’re only on Facebook and don’t see your works showing there, be sure you’re posting in our Facebook World Watercolor Group. Those posts seem to be showing up more. We’ve got just 11 or 12 more days to go, depending on what part of the world you live, for this month and I hope you’re having as much fun as I am. When August arrives, don’t stop! We’ll have a new monthly challenge coming and other wonderful things. And at some point next month, you’ll definitely find me typing these posts, holding a lovely cold drink, while relaxing by the pool.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Azo Orange, Pyrrol Red, Gamboge, Cobalt Teal, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with black ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book. |
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Let’s stay 😎 cool!
Indeed, Karen! And I actually have you done for a couple freebies, but I haven’t received your address yet. Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay cool!
hehe! Let’s! 😉
Let’s stay cool! Thank you for all of your hard work and congrats on reaching 750!
Thanks so much, Laura!! 😃💕 It’s my pleasure! And I think I already have you down for a freebie right?
Let’s stay cool Charlie – just like YOU!!!! <3
You’re too sweet, Jodi! 😃💕 And send you’ve gotten something already, I’ll just give you big ole hug for the second half of your comment!! hehe!!
Let’s Stay Cool! Thank you for sharing your art!
Thanks, Chrissy!! And Yay! You get a sample! 😃💕 Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay cool!
Let’s, Crystal!! hehe…😃💕 and I already have you down for a sample, so you’re not eligible for this one, but keep checking back!!
“Let’s Stay Cool!”
Let’s, Sharon!! hehe…😃💕 and have you down for a sample, so you’re not eligible for this one, but keep checking back!!
Let’s stay cool! 😊
I actually already have you down for this very prize, Autumn, but I never got your address! 😃💕 Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
I’m not even qualified for today’s freebie but I’m having fun figuring out how to post quickly – think I did it this time!
I love your description of watercoloring – kinda like dancing a waltz with a bit of free-style thrown in and maybe a minuet.
Summer and water go together no matter where you live. Sounds like you need some down time, Charlie, turquoise water to float on and a bit of icy drink to sip. Put those cool glasses to use.
hehe! You did! You soooo would have won this if you’d been eligible! 😃💕lol Yeah, these have been really fun! They won’t be daily in August, but I’ll have a few more then as well. 😉 And so happy you liked this post. It really does feeling like dancing… sometimes with a rather unruly partner! Yep… I totally need some down time soon, but I’m having too much fun to care at the moment! Weeeee!
Ah, I find your By the Pool doodlewash so refreshing! I also like your description of watercolor as learning to dance with another partner – perfect! Let’s stay cool!
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one! And I don’t think you’ve gotten anything from me yet, so send me a note with your address here and I’ll have Cheap Joe’s send you a palette: Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Your paintings are always so evocative of a time or place – thank you! “Let’s Stay Cool!” is certainly a mantra we can all subscribe to here in Southern California.
Thanks so much, Joel! 😃💕 I really appreciate the compliment. I how to give that sense even though I tend to strip out most of the full context in these. Yay! And yes… I soooo want to be in SoCal right now! (and I already have you down for fun stuff, so yay!)
Let’s stay cool!
Yay, Patricia!! You get a sample! 😃💕 Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Thank you. I’m very excited to have won!
“Let’s Stay Cool!”
Oops i have won in the past… Not that i made it this time
Yep! You’re on the list for goodies already! Yay!! 😃💕
I love those sunglasses! Very cool.
Thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕
Let’s Stay Cool!
Yay, Gina!! You get a sample! 😃💕 Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay coooooool!
Yay!! You get a sample! 😃💕 Send me a note with your name and address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
“Let’s Stay Cool!”
Great sketch and the light reflecting off the lenses is amazing!
Thanks so much, Judy!! 😃💕 And yay!! You get a sample! 😃💕 Send me a note with your name and address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay cool!
Yes, let’s Hanten! 😃💕 And I already have you listed for a prize so you’re not eligible for this one, but keep checking back!!
I love your analogy of watercolor and dance – some days I succeed with a rhumba, but other times it looks like I did a drunken jig across the paper 😆 The important part is to keep going, and it is extra special to be able to paint and share with the Doodlewash community. Thanks! 🎨😘
Thanks so much, Carol! 😃💕 Haha! I love the “drunken jig” analogy. My Irish ancestors would appreciate that, and that explains many of my paintings!! LOL So thrilled that you’re part of the community Carol. It’s just more fun when we’re all dancing together!
Love reading your posts and the little stories that unfold along with your Doodlewash. You are so creative!
Aww thanks, Sandee! 😃💕 hehe… the steady routine has been helpful. I had zero clue what to paint for this and yet had to come up with something quick. I think that always pushes our creativity a bit!
Lets stay cool Charlie 😁 sadly no painting yesterday. Maybe today?
Definitely, today, Pili!! DO it! DO it! hehe 🎨 And this should motivate you… you won a free palette! 😃💕 Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Wow 750!!! Such a FUN milestone!
Not “quite” yet… hehe… but I had to give Philippe advance notice so he could plan the dessert we’re having to celebrate on Saturday! Lol 😊💕 I will literally come up with any excuse to have dessert.
Really enjoyed reading this post, captured the poolside mood well!
Thanks so much, Liv!! Glad you enjoyed it! 😃💕
Gotta stay cool when you live in the south!
Definitely, Linda!! 😃💕 hehe And you used the magic words and I don’t have you down for a prize yet. You get a free palette! Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay cool!
Yes to that, Sandra! 😃💕You get a free palette! Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s STAY cool!! (Or fry trying!)
Haha! You get extra points for the pun, Nancy! And you won a palette! Yay! 😃💕Send me a note with your address via my contact form here: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay cool!
Love reading your stories Charlie. Thank you for inspiring us always…
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoy them! And yay! I have one more sample left for this post. Send me note here with your name and address: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Let’s stay cool…
Thank you for always inspiring us. I love reading your story…
Thanks so much!!! 😃💕 And yay! I have one sample left for this post! Send me a note with your full name and address via my contact form and I’ll have one sent: https://doodlewash.com/contact/
Y’know, if I hang out by the pool for, like, five seconds — I’m doing a lobster impression for weeks. (I’m one of those nearly-transparent people with scandinavian genes, so the thought of a pool makes me start hearing the Psycho theme music.)
Still, the way you describe it and the shades…I almost wish it was warm enough to try. 🙂