Hiking with Doggies

A month or so ago, we were on a road trip to and around Austria and Italy checking out mountains and lakes. What wonderful views! And so much fun hiking too and keeping fit. One of such places was Lago di Braies in Italy by the Dolomites, as we walked around the lake and climbed a bit in the mountains. Apart from the breathtaking views, you know what else I loved? How folks brought their dogs along! And no, this is no ordinary daily dog walking but serious hikers being accompanied by their own canine friends. Dogs of different breeds, shapes and sizes were seen. Now I am not an expert about dogs but I was amazed at how many were about. And so I wanted to paint about it when I got back home!

Random Doodle with Oil Pastels

It all starts out with some doodling on a blank sheet of A3 Canson Mixed Media paper. I was in an intuitive mixed media mood and wanting some freestyle to see where things take us. Hence a bit of scribbling with some neon oil pastels by Jaxon. This was then followed by some fluorescent pink pencil by Holbein.

Combining with Chalk Pastels

And now I wanted to play around a bit with other related mediums, and chalk pastels came to mind, Just chose a set of inexpensive Rembrandt colored pastel with further doodling more. Some black charcoal were used as well. Seeing how, unlike oil pastels, they are water soluble, the colors were spread around with a wet brush. I was, at this point, hoping to decide what the landscape would be like. Mountains and lakes of course but it was not yet obvious. Oh well, we shall see!

Introducing Acrylic Inks

Blocks of color were then introduced. Before that, though, I wanted to include Little One in the picture! She was then penciled in at the last minute walking her little doggy too. And now the painting journey begins. I stuck to more earthy tones like Antelope Brown, but went for two shades each of green and blue. Next the doggies were colored in fluorescent orange, pearly violet or light pink. Notice how the oil pastel doodles show through. So far looking promising!

Finishing Touches

As it all came together, I filled in the eyes and mouth, etc. A white gel pen and white uni posca marker were also used to doodle in another dog and another Little One, for instance, as well as scribbling stars and writing, not to forget the grass on the ground and ripples in the lake. I also went for some diamond Glitter Glue for the lake for some shimmer. Although it doesn’t look like mountains and lake anymore, I quite love how the blocks of colors form themselves into an abstract landscape with the cuteness of all the characters. And now!

I thoroughly enjoyed this session. Just random doodles and intuitive painting to see where it all leads to. At some point, I got stuck of course, but after coming back to it later I was able to get my mind flowing again. The secret is not to expect what you were originally hoping for but to freely create. In the end, I came up with something totally abstract yet cute and still be about hiking in the mountains with doggies!