Sketch Book – Page 6 – Carolina Russo Art

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, National Days, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Crepe Suzette Day – #DoodlewashDinner

May 7, 2016May 7, 2016 Carolina Russo

Crepe Suzette - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo — Crepe Suzette – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Today is National Crepe Suzette Day!

I enjoyed to watercolor this delicious French Dessert I had no much time so I made it very fast and post it very late since I wasn’t home! I love Crepes they can be made sweet or salty and this day brings up my memories of travelling to France years ago when I was still in Italy I had the opportunity to travel and visit beautiful places in Europe. I have been to France twice and both times was wonderful. I remember when In one of the two trip I visited the French Atlantic Coast going to Bretagne and Normandy I visited lovely places on the coast and I ate lots of Crepes, they were so delicious and often made just in front of me. I loved all the sweet ones, but I also loved the seafood ones! I had great time there! I hope that for today you enjoy my watercolor ones! 😉

Crêpe Suzette

Crêpe Suzette is a French dessert consisting of a crêpe with beurre Suzette, a sauce of caramelized sugar and butter, tangerine or orange juice, zest, and Grand Marnier or orange Curaçao liqueur on top, served flambé.

I found a recipe that seems to be original French if you would like to try to make them here is the recipe! ❤

You can read more facts about the origins of the Crepe Suzette here!

With this National Crepe Suzette Day I join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a #DoodlewashDinner! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash!
Tag your image #DoodlewashDinner.

#doodlewashaday #DoodlewashDinner

Happy Doodles!

©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, Life, Sketch Book, Watercolors

Illustration – Friends

May 3, 2016 Carolina Russo

Today my doodlewash is not about food, but I would like to share an older post and I hope that you enjoy it!
Anyway will be good for #doodlewashaday

Friends and Sennelier…
I wanted to use my new French Sennelier Watercolor! So I needed to create something!

I love and enjoy Illustration, and sometimes I like drawing cute whimsical characters a little bit out of my ordinary watercolor paintings and sketches. Creativity it is something that there are no words to describe it! Inspiration can come to me from anything and anytime, everywhere, and often start with something to ends with something totally different from what was at first inside my mind, it is a very fascinating and abstract process, that’s how I call it!

While I was thinking what to begin with to start my drawing, the word “Friends” came up to my mind I don’t know why, at the same time I was on my Pinterest (Follow me) pinning things for my numerous boards. I came across some very cute little dolls. I was captured by their sweet, nice faces with big eyes and instantly I felt the wish to draw them. I quickly made my sketch, when the word “Friends” came back to mind again and that was it!!! It was perfect for my new illustration. I am going to dedicate this drawing to all the amazing Bloggers Friends and Artists I found here on WP community. 🙂

Some technical details
I quickly sketched first with a pencil #2 HB few light lines just to give me an idea to the two figures and the flower then I painted. For this Illustration I was very excited to use my new French Sennelier watercolors. I use many different brands of watercolors I love Sennelier their watercolors are beautiful so vibrant, very pigmented, they are rich, luminous and honey-based. I purchased this metal travel box on Amazon it is small and easy to carry almost the size of an iPhone it can fit anywhere.

Sennelier Watercolors Travel Box — Sennelier – L’Aguarelle French Artist Watercolors

This Watercolor set is inspired by the bright and lively palette of Southern France. Each set contains 12 half pans of top quality French Artists Watercolor and two built-in palettes within a compact and sturdy metal case. Reformulated with an increased honey content gives each watercolor incomparable brilliance and luminosity while acting as a preservative to extend the paints longevity.
I love the fluidity of the colors a little goes a long way. I am very happy how my illustration turned out. I gave the finish touch going over with a black ink Pigma Micron pen 0.3 to finish and add shades. I painted this with a very light wash not on a watercolor paper but on a mix media ProArt Sketchbook size 9×11 inches.

#doodlewashaday

Happy doodlewashes!

©Carolina Russo

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, National Days, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Happy May! National Chocolate Mousse Day! #DoodlewashDinner

May 2, 2016May 2, 2016 Carolina Russo

Chocolate Mint Mousse - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo — Chocolate Mint Mousse – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Happy May everyone!

This Month there are many things on my plate!
First of all Charlie at Doodlewash invited all of us for a month of a virtual doodlewash dinners!
The month of May hold a new sketching and watercolor adventure the theme that Charlie choose is “Food” so you will see from me lots of delicious food illustrations!

Today according to this List is National Chocolate Mousse Day!
I choose to watercolor a traditional French Chocolate Mousse and I am giving to my own w a mint twist flavor! ❤

The word mousse in French means foam, and chocolate is for chocolate. Mousse au chocolate translates as foamy chocolate.

With a few rare exceptions, all chocolate mousse recipes have two ingredients: dark Chocolate is the essential element of the dessert, and egg white, whipped into a foam and added to the melted chocolate to provide the light and foamy texture essence of the recipe.

This is the traditional mousse, additional ingredients can be added to change the taste and texture of the dessert, if you search you can find many recipes.

Details about my doodlewash:
I used a basic watercolor palette Artist’s Loft Fundamental watercolor pan set this pan set is considered for beginners but I enjoy use it for the variety of colors and for sketching. I also used a Pigma Micron Black Ink pen #005 Brown #01 and a Pink gel pen over a Mix Media sketchbook!

With this celebration I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a #DoodlewashDinner ! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash!
Tag your image #DoodlewashDinner.

#doodlewashaday #DoodlewashDinner

Happy Doodles!

©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, National Days, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Bugs Bunny Day

April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 Carolina Russo

Bugs Bunny - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo — Bugs Bunny – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

National Bugs Bunny Day!

Today there are many National Days to choose from and I decided to go with a fun one that I am sure will make many of you smile remembering our childhood loved cartoons! Who doesn’t remember Bugs Bunny! Well he is the star today for this National Day and for my last doodlewash for the month of April! Tomorrow a new month start and a new doodlewash adventure let’s see what May will bring!

National Bugs Bunny Day is observed each year on April 30.
Bugs Bunny is the famous cartoon character best remembered for his roles in Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies produced by Warner Bros. He is known for his popular catchphrase “What’s up, doc?” Bugs Bunny first appeared in a short film on April 30, 1938, and has since been enjoyed by millions of viewers.

History facts
National Bugs Bunny Day is an unofficial national day here in USA Bugs Bunny The Trickster is a gray Hare Rabbit with a flippant personality that portray him as a trickster. Bugs Bunny is one of the most recognized cartoon characters. He is the leader of the Looney Tunes, starring in Merrie Melodies and is recognized as the mascot of Warner Bros. In a comic book, he revealed that his real name is George Washington Bunny. He first appeared in the cartoon “A Wild Hare”.

You can read more about him here:

Bugs Bunny (Character) – Biography – IMDb

A Special Thank You to Charlie!
With this Celebration of National Bugs Bunny Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating the month of April with a doodlewash! It was super fun for me join the amazing group of other 32 artists playing along! I want to thank Charlie for this beautiful and inspiring idea, giving us the motivation and opportunity to share our doodlewashes! Today is last day of April and I will join the new adventure for the month of May, Charlie will reveal tomorrow what the theme is, I am very curious to see what he will bring us! 😉

#doodlewashaday #NationalBugsBunnyDay

Happy doodlewashes!

©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, National Days, Nature, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Peace Rose

April 29, 2016April 29, 2016 Carolina Russo

Peace Rose - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo — Peace Rose – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Today for April Celebration is National Peace Rose Day!

I know it is a bit late today I had a little time and I made my Peace Rose to honor this beautiful National Day.
I love roses, all of them, and I enjoyed to watercolor this symbolic one, for the beautiful colors and interesting history facts behind it.

History
Each year on April 29th we recognize National Peace Rose Day. The day is set aside to honor the “Peace” rose, a well-known and fruitful garden rose.

The light yellow to large cream-colored flowers of the Peace rose have slightly flushed crimson pink petal edges. It is a hybrid tea rose that is hardy, vigorous and highly resistant to disease.

French horticulturist Francis Meilland, developed the Peace rose between 1935 and 1939. When Meilland foresaw the German invasion of France, to protect the new rose, he sent cutting to his friends in Italy, Turkey, Germany and the United States. It is believed these cuttings were sent to the United States on the last plane available before the German invasion.

The rose received different names in each country it was sent. In France, it was called “Madame A. Meilland” in honor of the breeder’s mother. In Italy, it was called Gioia, meaning Joy. In Germany, the name of the rose was Gloria Dei, for glory to God. In the United States, the rose was named Peace.

As the Second World War was coming to a close in Europe, the trade name “Peace” was publicly announced on April 29, 1945, the name it was given in the United States.

Later in 1945, Peace roses were given to each delegate at the inaugural meeting of the United Nations, in San Francisco, with a note that read: “We hope the Peace rose will influence men’s thoughts for everlasting world peace.” (source NationalCalendar)

Details about my doodlewash:
watercolor with pink, brown and black ink finish pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box and Pigma Micron Brown Ink pen #01 and in Black ink #005 also a Pink gel pen over a Mixed Media Sketchbook!

With this Celebration of National DNA Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash! Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

#doodlewashaday #NationalPeaceRoseDay

Happy doodles!

©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

50 Words Story, Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, My Paintings, National Days, Poetry, Short Stories, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Tell A Story Day

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016 Carolina Russo

Peaceful – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Deep Water

Surrounded by the blue deepest water. The reflections of floating emotions, loaded the mind and body in a fearless state.Tranquillity and silence flying through the broken branches of a life experience, were glowing under the warm sunlight.
Suddenly warm rain drops of happiness joined the deep water becoming one.

A 50 Words Story ©Carolina Russo

Today for April Celebration is National Tell A Story Day!

I hope that you enjoyed to read my little story and that did bring you some good feelings and thoughts during this day or evening. I wanted to combine two of my artistic and creative way of expression, “Watercolors and Writing”. I wanted to share one of my 50 words stories “Deep Water” and illustrate it I with one of my watercolors that I painted few years ago for my mom.

National Tell a Story Day is observed in the United States each year on April 27th.
We are all encouraged to share all kinds of stories on National Tell a Story Day. Whether it’s read from a book, one from your imagination or an actual story from a childhood memory, April 27th is the day to gather friends and family and share those stories.

Details about my doodlewash:
I used a basic watercolor palette Artist’s Loft Fundamental watercolor pan set this pan set is considered for beginners but I enjoy it for the variety of colors and use it a lot for sketching. I also used a Pigma Micron Black Ink pen #005 over a Watercolor Cold Press 140lb paper!

With this Celebration of National Tell A Story Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash! Tag your image #doodlewashaday.

I also like to thank Teresa Ronson for adding me in her list for this month participating to the #SelfieDay

#doodlewashaday #NationalTellAStoryDay

©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, My Paintings, National Days, Nature, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

Happy Earth Day!

April 22, 2016April 22, 2016 Carolina Russo

Yellow Flower – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Happy Earth Day!!!

Today I am celebrating this day thinking about how important it is to preserve our Earth, respect the Nature and environment.

I painted these flowers with pure colors from Nature without using the classic watercolor pans.

I wrote a post explaining all the interesting details about my experiment painting with Nature and I will link it here for you to read “Watercolors from Nature”

National Earth Day is observed each year on April 22.

National Earth Day is held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Every year around the world, Earth Day organizers promote green campaigns to save the Earth.

Details about my doodlewash:
I painted with colors that I experimented using straight from Nature. The yellow is Turmeric powder mixed with water, the Pink is juice from the Dragon fruit straight from the fruit and Pigma Micron black Ink pen #005 and #05 over a watercolor paper pad cold press 140 lb by Strathmore.

With this Celebration, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash! Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

#doodlewashaday #EarthDay

Happy doodles and have a great weekend!

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

April 21, 2016 Carolina Russo

Today for April month celebrations I celebrate a (bit late) National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day!
I am surprised that there are so many unofficial National Days and some of them are very inspiring and great prompts for my doodlewash motivation!

This cake has a fascinating history
It was invented because several other convenience items were developed that gave the housewife time to make a cake pretty as well as delicious.

The idea of cooking a cake upside down, is an old technique that started centuries ago when cakes were cooked in cast iron skillets. It was easy for cook to add fruit and sugar in the bottom of the pan and a simple cake batter on top and put it over the fire to cook.
Then flipping it over onto a plate was a natural way to show the pretty fruit and let it run into the cake as well.

The idea of the pineapple soon after 1911 when one of James Dole’s engineer had invented a machine to cut his pineapples into nice rings. Soon the convenient and pretty rings were used in this age old technique of the skillet cake. The invention of the maraschino cherry added the necessary color needed to make this cake stunning.
(Source: kitchenproject.com)

This old-fashioned cake is truly delicious I made it several times and it is always a joy to eat!
I couldn’t find my own recipe but I found one here that looks similar and pretty good to me I will link it in case you like to try and if you do it let me know how turned out! ❤
Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Recipe

Details about my doodlewash:
watercolor with brown ink finish. I used one of my favorite French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box and Pigma Micron Brown Ink pen #01 over a Mixed Media Sketchbook!

With this Celebration of National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash! Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

#doodlewashaday #PineappleUpsideDownCakeDay

Happy doodles and have a great day or evening!

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, Indie, National Days, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors

National Amaretto Day!

April 19, 2016 Carolina Russo

Today for April month celebrations I celebrate National Amaretto Day!

I didn’t know until today that was existing an unofficial National holiday dedicated to the Amaretto liqueur and absolutely couldn’t miss this one since the Amaretto antique origins are from my beautiful native country Italy! Ciao mia Bella Italia!!!

AmarettoSketch — Amaretto Italy – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

The word Amaretto means “little bitter” is created infusing almonds or apricots seeds or both together in brandy or pure alcohol obtaining a delicious almond a little bitter natural flavored liqueur mostly served after dinner in a pretty old-fashioned glass it pair very well, served with holiday foods and desserts, that have nutty and warm spice undertones of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg. Amaretto it is also used as base to prepare a variety of cold and hot cocktails. Also well-known are the Amaretto cookies.

Amaretto is a very antique liqueur there is an old Italian legend saying that was created from a woman living in the Italian city of Saronno in the 1525 she prepared the Amaretto in appreciation giving it as modest gift to a Church commissioned Artist one of Leonardo da Vinci’s pupils that had to paint the Sanctuary frescoes. The woman was the muse that inspired the Artist when he had to paint the Virgin Mary.

My watercolor shows the bottle of a well-known Italian Amaretto brand but for creativity I wanted to write “Amaretto Italy” I haven’t written the brands name I just left that out to the imagination! LOL
A nice old-fashioned glass and some good Amaretto cookies!
It was fun to doodle this I hope that you enjoy!

Details about my doodlewash:
watercolor with black ink finish. I used one of my favorite French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle 12 demi-godets half-pans travel metal box and Pigma Micron black Ink pen #005 and #05 over a Mixed Media Sketchbook!

With this Celebration of National Amaretto Day, I am also join Charlie at doodlewash celebrating a National or International Day with a doodlewash! You are welcome to join with your doodlewash! Tag your image#doodlewashaday.

#doodlewashaday, #NationalAmarettoDay

Happy doodles and have a great day or evening!

Art, Drawings, Illustration, Sketch Book, Uncategorized

Sketching Realistic Eyes

April 18, 2016April 18, 2016 Carolina Russo

I love illustration and I enjoy sketching in general, and this time is not one of my jewelry sketches that I use to share here more often. I am having fun sketching realistic eyes, it is amazing the effect that can turn out just playing with a HB #2 pencil and a couple of pastels or watercolors to give a hint of color. I made these sketches pretty quickly, so it is a very rough practice drawing and please forgive my photos that are not super great!

I am planning to make other ones more in a high definition. If you step back a bit from your screen you will see that this eye it is pretty realistic!

Please leave me a comment and let me know what do you think? 🙂