Journal Play: April 2026 Doodlewash Round UP!

My latest Doodlewash Round UP for April 2026!

Hello friends and Welcome Back to A Time to Play! If you're new around here, This is the place where we Play Together: I share with you what I'm up to and cheer you on with what you're up to during PLAYTIME. 

What, you don't have playtime? Well, this is the place to get some inspiration for your next jaunt into whatever lights you up! Ready? OK! 

Today's post is my monthly Doodlewash Round UP! This one is for April. (Yes I'm one month behind schedule...I try to share all of my drawings for the month within the month following, but LIFE happens and I have fallen behind. Oh dear. Well, here's April's anyway! ) 

In cast you don't know, Doodlewash is a daily art challenge that comes with a list of prompts for the month. I'm writing this in June, so that means I'm in my 8th month of a daily drawing based on these prompts. Each month that I complete continues to amaze me. Wow. 

All drawings are by Dawn Herring Copyright 2026

April 2026 Doodlewash Prompt: robin, breakfast, palm tree, shadow, colored eggs, picket fence, strawberry shortcake, miniature golf, kayak. 

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So, as I continue on this fun art challenge, let's look back on my April experience. Every month is different since we usually get a different prompt each day. Occasionally a prompt will repeat from a previous month, but not often. 

Looking back on April, I continue to enjoy drawing food. I had breakfast (I chose waffles with fruit and bacon!), strawberry shortcake, maple syrup (that was a challenge for sure!), and then drinks. The drinks are more challenging with the containers, like tea cups and glass. A latte and a spritzer. These are ones I had to do in full colored pencil and pastel crayon. That in itself is more of a challenge since it requires some layering. And, often, at least 4 colors to combine and blend. 

We had some flowers/trees, all of which were just "bones" as I like to call them; no color. Just anatomy with shading for depth and texture. I enjoy doing them that way more. 

Then there was some structure based prompts like the kayak and the toolbox; they also feel like anatomy in their own way. They also require pen and color together. 

All drawings by Dawn Herring Copyright 2026

April 2026 Doodlewash Prompt: shells, grape hyacinth, latte, tool box, maple syrup, spring break, stained glass, bonnet, game, apron, spiderwort, ladybug. 

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There were some prompts that really satisfied me: The bonnet with all the creases, The shield with the wood texture and metallic framework, and the grasshopper with all its parts, 

The ones I didn't like as much: the spritzer (I don't especially like drawing glass), Birds with their feathers, the dominoes without linework, and the spring shower (it's hard to capture rain well using colored pencil). 

All drawings by Dawn Herring Copyright 2026

April 2026 Doodlewash prompt: April shower, shield, cricket, House Finch, Water spritzer, Crocus, Red Junglefowl, Salamander, Lily pad. 

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I continue to keep a parameter on the amount of time spent. Believe it or not, I do most if not all of these drawings in my living room recliner with a lap desk, art supplies at the ready while I watch TV/Movie with my husband! Yep! Usually it's between 7-9 pm after my evening journaling practice. 

You know I gotta love it if I'm doing it late in the evening for as long as I've been doing it. 
What I really appreciate is the body of work I'm producing (in the most relaxed state possible) and how much I'm learning about observation, strategy, detail, color, choice of approach (how will I represent my subject?), and trusting myself to get it done, not because it's a task but because it's what I do. Because I'm an artist and I make time for what I want to accomplish, and to be part of a community of other artists who are engaged in the same challenge. 

Also, I so appreciate the comments I have received on social media (like Facebook, IG and Threads); you have all been so kind and supportive! Thank you for being on this journey with me! 

Let me know in the comments below if you're doing Doodlewash too or if you're engaging in some kind of creative challenge. Or maybe just share how you're playing right now! 

I'm here to cheer you on. 
Enjoy Playtime. Do something your inner child misses. 

I know mine loves to draw; so I draw. 

Have yourself a delightful day and remember to PLAY! 

Dawn Herring, Artist, Illustrator, and Your Creative Guide for Intuitive Living!