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

Illustration – Friends

Friends
Friends – Original Watercolor ©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. 🙂

Friends
Friends – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

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.

Sketck Book - Friends2a

 

#doodlewashaday

Happy doodlewashes!

©Carolina Russo
©Carolina Russo

Copyright© Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

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

Happy May! National Chocolate Mousse Day! #DoodlewashDinner

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! ❤

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

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
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

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

National Bugs Bunny Day

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.

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


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

 

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 over a Mix Media sketchbook!

 

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
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

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

National Peace Rose

 

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.

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

 

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
©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

 

Peaceful
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
©Carolina Russo

 

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, My Paintings

National DNA Day!

Self-Portrait - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo
Self-Portrait – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

Today for April celebration I am celebrating the National DNA Day!

For my daily watercolor I challenged myself like never before!!! I had to be able to draw my DNA which comes up to me in form of self-portrait!
The person depicted today is supposed to be me! ❤ You can give a look to my About me  page or my profile photo and see if my watercolor portrait is a looks-alike. My daughter recognized me soon already from my starting light pencil sketch. She was like wow! This is YOU!!!
Her reaction told me that I was on the right path!
I have to say that I never did my self-portrait before. I was too scared!  but today I tried and I am pretty pleased with the result and proud that I tried!
In the past I did lots of fashion design sketches and other figures but never myself!

Self-Portrait Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo
Self-Portrait Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

About the DNA what I can say more than we all have a unique one, and no one else can have the same as yours! Let’s Celebrate our uniqueness!!!

Details about my doodlewash:
 watercolor with brown and black ink finish pen. 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 and #005 in Black ink 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.

And I am also join Teresa at  Teresa Robeson’s #SelfieArt day

 

#doodlewashaday #NationalDNADay #SelfieArtday

Happy doodles and have a great day or evening!

©Carolina Russo
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Doodlewash, Drawings, Illustration, My Paintings, Watercolors

National Pigs In A Blanket Day

Pig In A Blanket
Pigs In A Blanket – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 

Today for April month celebrations is National Pigs in a Blanket Day!

This morning when I was looking at the National Days Calendar, finding my inspiration for my watercolor to do, I find out that the celebration was about pigs in a blanket, and my mind started to think about the cute and sweet pink little baby pigs, you know…the ones that you want to cuddle and hold in your arms. Also a lovely kids story came to my mind the famous “Charlotte’s Web” which I love!

But soon I realized that the celebration is about “Food” that pigs in a blanket are referred to different dishes that are celebrated Internationally.
Here in United States this dish is known from the 50s and is made with hot dogs or sausages wrapped with croissant or biscuit dough and baked in oven, they can be an anytime snack or eaten for breakfast or as appetizer and very often are served at kids parties because they are very easy to eat and tasty.

I felt that all my nice inspiration went away and I thought, I am not going to watercolor today! I will pass this day.

The image in my mind was totally different believe me, if you ever did see or had the opportunity to hold one of these cute baby pig, you will never want think to eat a pigs in a blanket and other products again also because the way that are produced. I personally don’t eat them, and please forgive me if you eat them I am not here to offend anyone!

After thinking about it, I changed my mind and decided that the beautiful part of being an artist is to let your creativity be “Free” and I decided to go on and watercolor my ideal of “Pig In A Blanket”

Pig In A Blanket - Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo
Pig In A Blanket – Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

 

Details about my doodlewash:
 watercolor with black and blue 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 Pentel Blue ink pen over a Mixed Media  Sketchbook!

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 #NationalPigsInABlanket

Happy doodles and have a great day or evening!

©Carolina Russo
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

 

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

Happy Earth Day!

Yellow Flower
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!

hand signature logo copy
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

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

National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day

Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Original Watercolor ©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!

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Original Watercolor ©Carolina Russo

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!

hand signature logo copy
©Carolina Russo

 

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

 

 

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

National Amaretto Day!

Amaretto
Amaretto – Original Watercolor ©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!

hand signature logo copy
©Carolina Russo

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com