Sketching Stuff

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, and we’ve made it to the 65th episode of Sketching Stuff! It’s been an amazing journey filled with lots of sketches and stories and I hope you’ve enjoyed it and found lots of inspiration along the way. I wanted to announce that this is going to be my last episode for a while. You see, I’m […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! If you’ve been listening to my stories for even just a little while, you’ll likely know that I’m a big kid at heart. So it should be no surprise whatsoever that as the holiday season arrives, my inner child is pretty much in charge of the entire month […]

Hey there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I’ve been sketching and writing every day now for over five years. What I’ve found is that I very often forget things that I’ve sketched and things that I’ve written about until I see them again. It’s fun to revisit older illustrations and stories, and see how my […]

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! This time of year is my favorite as it’s a lovely holiday season here. Granted, this year is quite different than in past years as we’re in still in the throws of a pandemic. While many big events are no longer happening, I still look forward to those little […]

Hi again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! One of things that’s been challenging for me on my art journey is to continue to challenge myself. To step outside of my lovely comfort zone and try completely new things. This can always be a bit scary, as that fear of failure creeps along with a touch […]

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! Looking back on my own art journey, there have been so many twists and turns along the way. Sometimes, I thought I might head in one direction and ended up taking an entirely different path. But, one thing has always remained the same and that’s my love of art […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! For this set of stories I simply pulled the ones that made me feel happy and hopeful. And it’s my sincere hope that they’ll make you feel the same way. These are trying times indeed where many things can seem to be nothing like we’d wish them to […]

Hi there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! Sometimes creating “art” sounds like something that’s very difficult to achieve. The reality is that what one person deems art isn’t always exactly the same as what another person might think of as art. Indeed, the very idea of art is quite relative. I consider art as simply […]

Hello, there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! Often one of the most challenging things about showing up to sketch and paint each day is finding inspiration. That core feeling that fuels me and gets me excited to create something. It’s always there, but some days, it can feel a bit muted. Instead of an excited […]

Hi, again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I’ll admit that I really do love to geek out on new technology. I love all of the things that we can do today and think it’s really cool that much of it simply wasn’t possible even just a few years ago. But, as awesome as all of […]

Hello, again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! As many of you know, I’ve personally formed a daily sketching habit that’s been happening for over five years now. Yep, I haven’t gone a single day without sketching stuff in all of that time. While that sounds like a rather incredible thing, it’s really not all that […]

Hey there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I hope everyone who is participating in World Watercolor Month during July is having a blast painting with watercolor! And if you haven’t jumped in yet, there’s still time, unless you’re listening to this in a different month, in which case, no worries as World Watercolor Month returns […]

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I’m super excited that World Watercolor Month is here once again in July! If you love watercolor like I do, or even if you just want to give it a try this month, I DO hope you’ll join us! This event is an annual non-profit event that features the […]

Hi there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, here with another episode of Sketching Stuff! As most of you know by now, I adore sketching things each and every day. It’s a habit that I’ve formed and I simply can’t stop. It’s too much fun! I also ramble on a bit after I’ve sketched based on whatever inspires me in the moment. And […]

Welcome back! It’s Charlie O’Shields, here with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I love this time of year where I live! As the days get longer, they also start to get a bit sunnier as well. While I love a rainy day, a sunny day is particularly inspiring. As a kid, I was always excited for summer break. And even […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! This marks the 50th episode of this podcast, and that feels like a lovely milestone. Indeed, when I set out to DO things, I don’t set a specific goal that I intend to hit, but it’s always nice to celebrate those special little moments along the way. I’ve […]

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! One of the things I’ve loved most about developing a sketchbook habit is that at any moment when I find myself bored, I always know I have something really fun to do. Indeed, when I was bored in school as a kid, which was more often than I’d like […]

Hi there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I hope you’re staying safe, happy, and healthy. Sending you a big virtual hug and heaps of hope for the future. As so many of us find ourselves at home these days and far from our normal routines, it’s always good to take a moment to think about […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! As we continue to live through one of the most challenging moments in history, there’s a lot of stress and uncertainty. The future seems a bit blurry and tough to figure out. So, rather than focus on things that we can’t change, I’ve compiled a set of stories […]

Hi again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! The current events we’re facing have been very stressful and the world is suddenly a very different place than the one we knew just weeks ago. I hope everyone out there is staying healthy and safe during these times. We’re living in a moment when uncertainty abounds and […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! In the more than four and half years that I’ve been sketching and writing every day, I’ve often been inspired by nostalgia. I love those flashes from the past that bring back such good memories. Of course, they’re called retro or vintage now, but once upon a time, […]

Hey there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! When it comes to sketching and watercolor, I love capturing the light in things. Whether it’s the shininess of a metal pot, the sparkly qualities of glass or the reflection on a pair of sunglasses. It makes me happy to recreate those little bits of life as I […]

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back again with another episode of Sketching Stuff! I’ve been sketching, painting and writing daily now for over four and a half years. Yep, I still haven’t missed a single day! Sure, I’m totally hooked and it’s definitely a habit now, but it’s also something I simply love to DO! And when you find something you […]

Hey there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! For this episode, I’ve pulled together what seemed at first like a random bit of stories, but there’s still a lovely theme there. As most of you know, but it might bear repeating if not, these are posts that have appeared on my blog at Doodlewash.com. I call […]

Hello again! This is Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! Though I paint with watercolor and draw each day, I’ve always looked at my sketchbook habit as fun playtime. And I’m not making paintings, I’m making drawings, or more accurately doodles that I then color with watercolor. This has brought me so much joy over these past […]

Hey there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! As we begin a bright shiny new year in 2020, my mind always drifts to all of the things I’d like to accomplish. I’ve learned that making resolutions is a bit too resolute, and I prefer to just focus on following that next little dream instead. There’s so […]

Hi! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! Many of you who listen to this podcast know by now that I’m a very nostalgic person. I love reminiscing about things from the past and thinking back to little moments that I enjoyed as a kid. Why on earth do I DO this? Because I love how much […]

Hello! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! This is truly one of my favorite times of year and I’m excited for the holiday season. While some say it’s the happiest time of the year, it can also be the busiest as well. But no matter what, each year I make a little time to sketch and […]

Hello once more! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! When I first started sketching and posting what I made online, a little over four years ago, I was a bit shy at first. I truly wasn’t sure if anyone would like to look at what I was making, or indeed read what I was writing. Thankfully, […]

Hey there! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! After trying to sketch lots of different things over the past few years I have quite an unusual assortment of illustrations. While many artists adhere to a particular theme or subject matter, I happily bounce all over the place. In truth, there is something holding everything together in […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! It’s been over a year now since I started this podcast and there have been several stories that I kept meaning to share, but always got pushed off to the side. I found a little list of them recently and so I decided to share them now! When […]

Hello my friends! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve loved reading and escaping into the pages of a book. And, yep, I still love books with pictures as well. Whether visual or written, stories are a wonderfully creative way to communicate ideas. I tend to tell personal stories, […]

In my part of the world, this time of year means the start of autumn. And I am incredibly thrilled! I adore this season most of all and find it so incredibly inspiring. I always have my best ideas this time of year. Perhaps this is because it’s one of the few times in the year that I slow down […]

I love drawing, but when I was younger, I failed to do it each and every day. In fact, I took a 20 year unintentional break from drawing. Today, thankfully, I’ve found little ways to keep myself inspired and I’ve been drawing each and every day for over 4 years now! In this episode, I’m sharing a set of stories […]

I love sketching animals and I’m always surprised by some of the thoughts and ideas they inspire each time that I do. As ever, this isn’t an episode specifically about animals, but about life itself and bits of inspiration that I’ve learned along the way. Thoughts that I hope will inspire you on your own creative journey. Though, sure, the […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields here, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! This is the 30th episode! Yay! Actually, I’ve no idea what it is about round numbers, but they always feel like they require a bit of a celebration. Just recently, I celebrated 1,500 consecutive days of sketching stuff! Yep, actually making a little watercolor sketch and story […]

Hey there! Charlie O’Shields here, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! During the month of August, I’ll be hosting a Doodlewash art challenge that I call “Travel Fun!” So, in honor of that, this episode is all about travel. Well, it’s about the idea of travel, at least, since many of you know I have a knack for drifting […]

Hi friends! It’s Charlie O’Shields here, back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! And, a very Happy World Watercolor Month to everyone out there as we celebrate this wonderful July together. If you’re wondering what the month is all about be sure to check out worldwatercolormonth.com to learn more. For this set of stories, I’ve collected some inspiring memories that […]

Hello again! It’s Charlie O’Shields, back with a very special episode of Sketching Stuff! It’s been one year since I started this podcast and 4 years ago this month that I very first started painting with watercolor each and every day. And, it’s also the start of World Watercolor Month in July. If you post watercolor art online, be sure […]

While I’ve grouped many of my stories into themes for each episode, sometimes the most random things inspire me. I think that’s what’s been the most fun for me during my daily sketchbook and writing habit. I’ve literally no clue what I’ll be inspired to sketch and even less clue as to what I’ll end up rambling on about based […]

Here, where I live, we’re heading into summer, which, in the middle of the United States, involves occasional thunderstorms and scorching hot sunny weather. At least that’s how I would describe it as an adult. As a kid, it meant a summer break from school and thousands of possibilities for things I could try next! So, even though I’m not […]

Hello again! This is Charlie O’Shields back with another episode of Sketching Stuff! What I adore most about sketching and coloring something each and every day is the chance to travel back in time and relive moments of my childhood. I often choose to draw things from my past, as it’s a wonderful way to really take me back to […]

While I adore traveling to new places, I’m equally entranced by the idea of virtual travel. The kind of travel that happens in our minds when we reflect on memories and moments that have had an impact on our lives. My sketching journey has provided me with all sorts of these moments so I’m sharing just a few of them […]

Hey there friends! This is Charlie O’Shields and welcome back to another episode of Sketching Stuff! I always talk about letting my inner child come out to play, and the fact is, that’s not just sometimes, but literally all of the time for me. In my heart, I’m never sitting down to make a piece of art, but simply coloring […]

Hello again! This is Charlie O’Shields welcoming you back to another episode of Sketching Stuff! I know that some of you out there listening to this are sketchbook fans, if not fanatics like me, and perhaps some of you haven’t yet started to sketch or paint. My hope is that I can inspire everyone in the world to form a […]

This is Episode #20 and since that feels like a nice round number, I thought I’d celebrate it with a selection of stories about embracing one’s inner child. That little voice inside all of us that has the coolest ideas and always wants to have the most fun in life! And as silly as those ideas can sometimes seem, I’ve […]

One of my very favorite things to sketch is food. Okay, I’ll admit it… I also just like food in general and love to eat so these two joys go hand in hand really well. For those of you who attended art school, once upon a time, I’m sure you have memories of drawing or painting a still life that […]

Hey there, Charlie O’Shields here with another episode of Sketching Stuff. Many of you know by now that I’m often rather nostalgic, so this is a collection of stories about some fun things from the past. From lava lamps to cassette tapes, we’ve seen a lot of technology over the last few decades and more seems to be coming our […]

February is the month of Valentine’s Day and stores are often filled with lots of little treats, so I thought I’d dedicate an episode to all things sweet. In truth, I just love sketching and well, eating, desserts so I have quite a few stories that they’ve inspired. As ever, these aren’t really stories about the desserts themselves so much […]

I’ve always loved all sorts of animals and insects ever since I was a little kid. Getting to sketch them as an adult makes me feel like a kid all over again. During my art journey of daily writing and sketching, I haven’t sketched many humans, but I have quite a collection of other living creatures. Nature is odd and […]

In this episode I’ve collected a few stories about the things in life that have inspired me over the years. For me, I find that inspiration can happen at any moment and be triggered by some of the simplest things in life. Things I wouldn’t have even guessed would be so inspiring. When it comes to painting and sketching each […]