Written by When met with a prompt of “exploring nature” combined with my urge to paint food again, we ended up with some cloves of garlic for today. Perfectly natural, and delicious. As the summer heat burns on here, we’ve been eating really light and enjoying a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Yes, for those who know me, wine is also made from fruit and I’ve still enjoyed a glass here and there. But, mostly, my summer menu has been extremely simple. I can get myself involved in so many things at once, as my mind is always brimming with ideas, but in general, I prefer a life that’s rather routine and simple. I think that’s why I typically approach my paintings with just a handful of colors. They may change, based on my mood, but I usually never exceed six colors and often prefer using just three or four. I’m a terrible cook, although I love food, and yet mixing paint often feels like a type of cooking. Using just the ingredients you have on hand, you make something new out of them. It’s so much fun to see what comes out in the wash!
Granted, even though the ingredients are simple this summer, Philippe is preparing the food, so I end up with amazing dishes. I keep telling him that he needs to write down these incredible recipes so we can make an illustrated cookbook to share with all of you, but I’ve yet to convince him. Also, when we looked up the minimum number of recipes one should include in a proper cookbook, it was still a rather staggering amount. I don’t believe in impossible, but let’s just say that it might be a lifetime achievement. I’m so impressed by people who manage to create a book of any kind. It’s truly impressive. Yes, since I’ve been blogging, I’ve written the word count equivalent of 10 novels, but without any of the finesse required to wrap them into a book. I simply ramble on about things and don’t really craft what I’m writing. If there’s a market for a book with the exact words that came while frantically typing them, then I’ll definitely publish one of those at some point. If nothing else, it will definitely be full of illustrations produced in roughly the same impromptu fashion.
And we are now in the final week of World Watercolor Month! It’s been an amazing year with such an incredible amount of enthusiasm and watercolors being produced every few minutes. If you’ve just discovered the amazing feeling of daily painting, don’t worry, it doesn’t really have to end in July. I’ll be announcing a brand new August challenge later this week and every month after that. I hope you’ll stay and paint along with me! And yes, once again, I have something to give you 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 below to let me know you want one with the phrase “Let’s Keep Painting!” And I want to personally thank you for all the inspiration you’ve given to me. Some days, it’s tough to come up with something to paint and other days, the thing I painted just wasn’t what I’d hope it would be. But knowing I’m not alone in this journey is an incredibly empowering thing indeed. As we each mix our ingredients together in our own totally unique fashion, it creates a buffet of and inspiring treats to enjoy. Each one different, to be sure, but all of them, naturally delicious!
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Gamboge, Quinacridone Rose, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A6 Hahnemühle Watercolor Book. |
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Oh my, an illustrated cookbook sounds inviting indeed! Convince him!
Hehe! Yay! Thanks, Sandee! 😃💕 I will… I tend to never give up! It’s just my nature.
Let’s keep painting!
I pulled the garlic from my garden last week! I love the stuff and can’t get enough. Next year, I’ll paint it before I let it dry. It is beautiful.
Yay!! 😃💕 That’s awesome you have it in your garden, Lisa…and well… that you have a garden! I don’t even have a yard. hehe And let’s definitely keep painting! I’ll have Hahnemühle send a sample!
Let’s keep painting. You really have a way with words. Love it.
Aww thanks so much, June! What a sweet thing to say! Appreciate it! 😃💕 And yay! I’ll have Hahnemühle send a sample!
Thank you so very much. I am so excited. 🤗
Let’s Keep Painting!! Yes!!!
Yes let’s Susan!! 😃💕 And yay! I’ll have Hahnemühle send a sample!
That’s fabulous, Charlie! Thank you so much!
I love cooking and hate it. We spent over an hour making chicken parmesan tonight and spent 5 mins eating it. whew. But it was worth it. As is a painting you love. So, Let’s Keep Painting! I’m ready for to finish out July with energy. 😉
I know!!! All that work and it disappears so quickly! Good thing our watercolors last longer! hehe 😃💕 And yay! I’ll have Hahnemühle send a sample!
Let’s Keep Painting! On this awesome paper!
Yes to that! It’s totally awesome paper! 😃💕 And yay! I’ll have Hahnemühle send a sample!
Thanks once again!
Thank you..for giving us a place to learn, play and mingle
It’s my absolute pleasure, Tamiko! 😃💕Thanks so much for playing and mingling with us! hehe
Let’s Keep Painting!
Yes to that, Gina!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Let’s Keep Painting! ….sounds good to me. I will follow along next month. This daily encouragement has been helpful. Although I have missed a day here and there I have enjoyed the challenge. Thank you, Charlie.
Aww I’m so thrilled to hear that Mary! Yay! It’s so much more fun to paint together! 😃💕 And I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Let’s keep painting
Yes to that, Charlie!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Let’s Keep Painting!
I love the garlic too! I’ve tried painting garlic a few times, but have never been satisfied with the result, at least not in watercolour 🙂 Beautiful result, and I definitely love your paintings without (or with light) outlines!
Thanks so much, Hania! 😃💕 I actually think watercolor is a perfect medium to paint garlic… the colors are so subtle, so being able to layer makes it come across better.
Yes to that, Hania!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Let’s keep painting! I would love to try this paper out!
Yes to that, Shannon!! 😃💕 It’s awesome paper! I’m all out of samples today, but check back next Monday for the last of these samples!
Thanks Charlie! 😊
Let’s keep painting!
Yes to that, Michelle!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Lovely garlic! I think you could get a publisher to do a book of your paintings and writings. Especially since you have worldwide name recognition. Go for it!
Aww thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 hehe… I’m not famous though… hehe… just passionate. But I’m happy to have so many artists joining me on my little adventures!
Let’s keep painting
Yes to that, Heather!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Love the garlic cloves. And “Let’s Keep Painting!”
Thanks so much, Jan! Yes to that!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
I received my Hahnemühle Cézanne block already – and it’s AMAZING! It came in a big box and I’m so excited! Thank-you for the give-away, Charlie and Hahnemühle! What fun!
Aww yay to that, Wendy!! It’s such awesome paper!! I’m so thrilled you got to try it!! Yippeee!! 😃💕
Here’s another fabulous painting that you MUST FRAME for your wall. This a wonderful garlic portrait – for the lovely colors, the composition, the papery texture, and the open bulb showing the cloves nestled inside. As for you writing a novel – you and Philippe should definitely collaborate. He can write the ingredients and process, you can paint, and you can both tell the inspiration for the recipe – quite a family cook book. I’m a lousy cook also, but I’d buy it!
Hehe… Thanks!!! yay! Glad to hear that, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah, I think it would be fun to do just to preserve the memories if nothing else. If someone were to buy it, then awesome!!
You could always print a “book of letters” of your posts and paintings… I’d order one 🙂
Thanks so much!! 😃💕That I might be able to do, if I took the time to select the legible posts. hehe… some are more rambling than others! 😊
I would really live to try this paper 🙂 Let’s Keep Painting 💖
Aww it’s so awesome!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check next Monday’s post. I’m giving these away again on the final day of World Watercolor Month! 😉
Let’s keep painting, Charlie. Now I mastered a little bit this medium. I enjoy a lot more and like experimenting with it. I am trying to paint on other surfaces then only paper.
Yay! So happy to hear that Pili!! It’s such a wonderful medium! 😃💕 And I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
Let’s keep painting!
Yes to that, Linda!! 😃💕 I’m all out of samples today, but check back each day this month!
My paintings don’t always turn out the way I wanted either but I generally don’t notice that til I am done. I tend to get lost is the doing and am often surprised at what ends up on the page. 🙂
That’s exactly what I love most about watercolor and mentioned in my newest post that’s about to hit. I find it so much fun to be surprised by something I thought I was in charge of! hehe 😉💕
I know I am not one of the first five, but would love to try this paper! I have seen many mention it during this lovely month of celebration! Must get myself! Your paintings are so worthy of getting its place in a book for the world to see and appreciate. Love them! Thanks for hosting this event, I look forward to the next!
Aww thanks so much, Swarup!! That’s so sweet of you to say! It’s my pleasure to host World Watercolor Month! 😃💕 And, yep, I’m all out of samples today, but I’m giving these away again on the final day of the month! And I hope you’ll paint on with us in August! I’ll be announcing a new challenge later this week! 😉
I really love your comparison of painting with cooking. By nature, I think I’m a recipe follower, but I have become a lot more adventurous cook in recent years, and I will work towards being a more adventurous painter as well. Love the garlic painting, and think the sepia ink works very well!!
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Yeah, I know I started watercolor as a recipe follower, but it’s way more fun to just jump off and try your own thing!
I’m sure they’re all gone but LET’S KEEP PAINTING. Oh and why don’t you produce a zine instead! They’re based on art underground when one wasn’t able to be as vocal as one wanted. Charlie Hebdo started out as a zine as I understand. I think an illustrated cookbook zine would be awesome Charlie. Go for it!!
That’s sounds like an awesome idea, Jennifer! 😃💕 I think it’s something I’ll definitely try once I convince my other half to let loose of those recipes! hehe And yep, I’m all out of samples today, but we should always say, Let’s Keep Painting!!!
LOL, I figured you were. I sure hope to see that cookbook from you, your paintings would illustrate any recipe beautifully!
Dear Phillipe:
YES, PLEASE (on the cookbook). DO THAT THING PLEASE.
Love,
The World
hehe! Thanks, World! A mini version coming your way next month! 😉👍🏻