Doodlewash

For our optional prompt of “Paper Airplane” today, I made a little sketch of a colorful one flying through the air. As a kid, I always tried to make paper airplanes, but they weren’t amazing. Yet, what they lacked in aerodynamics I made up for by making them pretty. In truth, I wasn’t very good at folding them, but that didn’t stop me from continuing to try. If I could get one to sail across the…

For our optional prompt of “Dragonfly” today, I made a little sketch of one with splashes of color on the wings. These are lovely little insects that can actual come across a bit cute with those large bug eyes. There are quite a few that appear each year where I live, but I’m always wondering why they would visit. I live in the city and other than some puddles after a rain, there aren’t any large…

For our optional prompt of “Fudge” today, I made a sketch of a hot fudge sundae! As a kid, I always preferred vanilla ice cream, entirely because it’s the most versatile and you can drench it in other toppings. I usually opted for a fruity topping of some kind, but I did love a bit of hot fudge. Looking at desserts like these, I realize that they’re becoming more and more nostalgic for me. I…

For our optional prompt of “Chipotle” today, I made a quick little sketch of the delicious fish tacos Philippe made this past weekend. They featured his homemade chipotle mayo which is what made them so fabulous. Also, I hope everyone has a Happy Cinco de Mayo! I opted to sketch the entire taco rather than focusing on the chipotle alone since the canned chipotle looks a bit like raw liver. But,…

Cozy Little Landscapes in Watercolor-Super-Easy, Mini Painting Projects for Whimsical Forests, Charming Villages, and More by Mayo Moreno invites you to slow down, pick up a brush, and enjoy the simple pleasure of making something charming. Whether you’re just beginning your watercolor journey or you’re an experienced artist looking for low‑pressure projects that still feel rewarding, this book…

For our optional prompt of “Red Junglefowl” today, I made a quick little sketch of one. I wasn’t super familiar with these birds, but they are apparently the wild ancestors of modern chickens, and are biologically considered living avian dinosaurs. So, that’s pretty cool. I, of course, just like how colorful these roosters are. Much like their domestic counterparts they crow loudly in the…

For our optional prompt of “Maple Syrup” today, I sketched a bottle of some with a stack of pancakes. Philippe and I used to have pancakes on Sunday mornings, but we recently switched to waffles to change things up a bit. Well, it’s just a single little waffle as I couldn’t eat a stack of either anymore without doubling my weight. Waffles are a bit more challenging to sketch, however, so I just…

For our optional prompt of “Strawberry Shortcake” today, I sketched a slice on a plate with a fork. I had to sketch this one from imagination because I’ve yet to talk Philippe into making a cake of any kind this year. He’s talked about it and I even caught him watching a woman on YouTube demonstrating the fine art of the task. I got really excited, but no actual cake appeared. Indeed, this is my…

The Portable Watercolor Travel Set from Lightwish is a compact 6‑ring binder that includes a detachable 18‑well palette, an easy‑to‑clean ceramic mixing area, 20 sheets of hot press paper, and a travel brush. Add your favorite watercolors and water for cleaning, and you’re ready to paint wherever you go. If you are thinking of buying one, there is a 15% discount code, good through April 2 – 9,…

For our last optional March prompt of “Macaw” today, I sketched a couple of them cuddling up together. With everything that’s happening in the world, life can seem a bit chaotic at the moment. So, I wanted to focus on a different sort of moment entirely. Sometimes, all you need to feel at peace in this world is the company of someone you love. Whether it’s a relationship of the romantic sort or…

For the optional prompt of “Popcorn” today, I made a sketch of a bucket of movie theater popcorn. On Fridays lately, Philippe and I have been eating Thai food and watching a movie of some kind. We call it movie night, but that usually involves much more fanfare and usually more than one movie. We both have rather short attention spans so getting through a single movie in an evening is quite an…

For the optional prompt of “Spectacles” today, I made a sketch of a little pup dressed up and ready to wish you a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’m actually in a spring mood, but the weather here insists on remaining below freezing. It’s winter’s last little hurrah today and the temperatures are apparently going to shoot up tomorrow. Actually, the temperatures for the next few days will resemble…

Watercolor Wizardry: Paint Your Own Fantasy Forest Dimension with 25 Step-by-Step Tutorials takes an unconventional approach to teaching watercolor. In the introduction, author Kiara Maharaj likens watercolor painting to a form of wizardry. She explains that she—and her coven of parrot apprentices—will serve as your guides and mentors throughout the journey. This book doesn’t hand you fully…

For the optional prompt of “Camera” today, I made a sketch of a little puppy discovering a Polaroid picture. I used to love taking pictures with a Polaroid camera, though these days our phones have become our primary picture-taking tool. While both types of camera provide instant gratification, having something instantly tangible makes the photo feel more special. There are so many photos trapped…