New Addition To Personalised Brush Set : Its here!

 New Jean Haines Wash Brush!

 In addition to Jeans existing personalised watercolour brush set

I can finally share the news that I  now have a fabulous new  large brush in addition to my existing personalised brush range.  Several artists on my workshops know I have been looking into and working on a project to find the right brush to add to my existing set. It has taken me since some time last year to finally agree on a design and excellent quality to meet my needs.

Why this new brush? I have been finding on my workshops that many new artiss buy cheaper brushes at first. Mainly to find out if they enjoy working in watercolour before investing in high quality art equipment. Often artists will come on one of my sessions and fall in love with my own brushes. Some of which actually cost well over £200, but these have been given to me as samples and for various demonstrations throughout my career. It is far easier to work with the best products and more enjoyable. But I certainly don't expect everyone who paints as a hobby to  part with large sums of money on one brush.  I knew there had to be a way to come up with a design. I wanted to have my name on a large brush that was accessible price wise to the majority of people who paint. And one I would love working with.

So for the last six months I have looked at many prototypes. Unfortunately I wanted the best but I also wanted to sell it at a reasonable price! The time taken in findng the correct brush and materails hasn't been easy. But I am thrilled now because all the work in the design has finally paid off as my new large mop brushes arrived this morning. just in time for  them to be launched at  Patchings on Friday 7th June!

They load well, release well, flow over paper ,spring beautifully and have a blend of hair in the brush mix which is unique.

Keeping my existing brush sets in stock has been difficult as they have become so popular. Not so much by advertising but my word of mouth. It seems that everyone who owns them loves them so quickly recommends them. I have a feeling these new, long awaited brushes will sell out quickly too!

I will share details of prices as soon as this fabulous new brush is launched so please keep an eye on my web site and blog!

It is a beautiful brush and watercolourists are going to love it!

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Broken Ankle Update 2013

Blue Eyed Honey Birds

Australia 2013

I have loved reading the kindest and most wonderful of messages asking me how I am since my return from Australia, following surgery for my broken ankle. Well this last week has been incredible especially with the speed at which I am recovering. I visited a specialist in UK last Thursday who took further xrays. These showed the broken bones are healing really well although I will need futhrer surgery in the future. I visited a physiotherapist yesterday and they were amazed at how well I am doing. I have recovered far better than anyone expected at this stage in healing process. I can stand and easily walk on crutches although I need to rest my foot as much as possible. Small achievements have made my days. Like the first time I successfully walked upstairs alone or stood in the shower. Placing weight on my injured foot is now comfortable.

I will need to be on crutches for the next few weeks and I will be wearing the big black boot!. But I am expected to be fine again in weeks, not months as first expected. If I do as I am told!

It is very hard sitting still as I often dance when I am painting. And stand! But I keep thinking how lucky I am. I could have broken my wrists and this could have effected my future of painting and writing.  I am also aware that several friends have been sending healing prayers, reiki and distance crystal healing. Whether anyone belives in this kind of help or not, the outcome is incredible. Knowing you are being given loving support at a time when you need it. That positive help alone is a huge boost to my morale.

I was taken to the specialist in a wheelchair last week on the Thursday. Yesterday, the following Tuesday, I happily walked into the physiotherapist on crutches and asked if it would be okay to just walk with one now. I was advised to stay with two but I am eager to be well again and fighting fit. I haven't time in my life to be immobile! And at this rate I can see me trying Zumba in Autumn! 

Watch this space, health is a state of mind and mine is saying I am fine!

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Thank you so much for all the lovely messages,healing, prayers and support. You may be healing me too quickly but   I am thrilled you are!

Atmospheric Watercolours : Selling Out Internationally

Atmospheric Watercolours

Selling Out Internationally

I have recieved several emails asking me why my latest book "Atmospheric Watercolours" is  not available on Amazon.com USA.  I made enquiries and was told that "keeping this book in stock in USA has become a full time job!" This is great news for me but not wonderful news if you are wishing to buy my book and can't get one.  At the time of my typing this blog post there are currently only nine copies of "Atmospheric Watercolours" left available on Amazon.com  in UK  too.

If anyone would like a copy there are several stockists who can help. The Book Depository.com are selling my book at a reasonable price with free shipping worldwide. You can buy a copy from them via this link

 http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Jean-Haines-Atmospheric-Watercolours-Jean-Haines/9781844486748

I am sure it will be in stock with Amazon very soon too. I can't begin to describe how wonderful it is to hear that the passion I poured into writing "Atmospheric Watercolours" is being appreciated and loved all over the world. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to send me such wonderful emails about "Atmospheric Watcerolours". I have read every one and feel overwhelmed by the kindness in each message. I adore working in watercolour and my only goal from writing and sharing is to ensure everyone who wishes to use this fabulous medium enjoys it as much as I do. And I will be working even harder on my next book, I promise!

I will be signing book at Patchings in UK this year and on my USA tour in Autumn. 

For now, if you haven't a copy of my latest book and wish to buy one stocks are running low so please buy while you can.

 

Wisteria in Watercolour 2013

Wisteria in Watercolour

The front of our cottage is now covered in wonderfu wisteria flowers. I adore this time of yea and  wait eagerly for the front of our home to be adorned with  these stunning purple and lilac forms. They are so artistic that I find myself simply watching them for housr rather than racing for my brushes.

You will find these flowers and the techniques used to create them in my latest book "Atmospheric Watercolours"

Wisteria from my garden,photograph taken  this morning.

Artist tip for the day : Don't be in a race to complete a finished painting. Try playing with a scrap of paper capturing the exact shades that you see in a subject. Then work out colour combinations to make that shade even more exciting. 

Don't forget to admire the beauty of nature every day as it changes so quickly with the seasons,weather conditions and light.

Are Bluebells Blue?

Bluebells 

May 2013

I am happily back in my studio and as I walked around my garden this morning I picked some bluebells. Now here I should be very honest and point out that I was on crutches so the challenge of the day was to for me to pick a flower to paint and I am thrilled I did!  I leant on one crutch and leaned over easily. My recovery from surgery, as far as I can see it, is purely a state of mind. I can sit watching television or get on with getting better! And as an artist there is no finer way to detract from pain than painting.

My dog Bailey followed me with great excitement as we both went on the adventure of my learning to walk further on crutches. He barked excitedly with my every move. I'm doing so well that I even managed to bend down and pick up sticks to throw for him. However , he resented my heading back to my studio as he obviously felt our "stick games" should have gone on for far longer. Sadly my standing time is limited at the moment. but I am getting stronger every single day.

I picked a bluebell and worked on a scrap of paper to capture it as a warm up exercise. Its' amazing but when I place this popular flower on my palette its' true colour leans more towards violet than blue. I can see gorgeous turquoise hints in it as well.  The morning sunshine gave an illuminous effect above the heads of the delicate bells making them seem angelic so the name "bells" reminded me of church bells ringing.

I have loved taking time out to  imagine how to capture them on paper. The familiar questions before painting any subject arose. What colours to use and how to portray the delicacy of the flower ? What colours would you use for painting bluebells? How would you make them feel like bells ringing, moving in the breezes?

For my painting I have opted for Cobalt Blue heavily diluted, with hints of Winsor Violet and touches of Turquoise. For my greens I have mixed Cadmium Yellow with the Cobalt or Turquoise and then with my rigger dropped my violet shade into the foreground greenery.

Isn't it amazing how one tiny flower can lead to so much interesting thoughts in a creative process?

Artist tip of the day : Pick something from nature and capture it in a quick simple study but let your thought process beforehand take longer than the painting itself!  Learn from the thinking process.

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Thank you So much!

 Australia 2013

I am recieving some wonderful thank you messages following my accident in Australia. I can't thank everyone who has sent email messages and commented on my blog, Facebook and Twitter enough. Its' impossible to let anything get you down when you are surrounded by such great friends!

Thank you so much!

Learning To Walk 2013

Floral Energy

Yesterday I saw a specialist as a follow up to the surgery in Australia on my broken ankle. I'm delighted to share the news that I am now out of a wheelchair and on crutches. I listened to advise on what I can and can't do and fully understand that the length of my recuperation depends on me. So today I have been learning to walk , placing weight on my ankle and moving around my garden. It hurts! Each step is uncomfortable but I am going to have to push myself if I am to heal well.

It is a very strange feeling learning to walk again. In many ways I am reminded of learning to paint in watercolour. Everyone told me it was going to be difficult. Facing a blank piece of white paper years ago is similar to my looking at the garden path ahead of me now and wondering if I can make it to where I am aiming for. The thing is, unless I try I will never know.  Each step isn't going to be plain sailing and I may make mistakes in how I place my foot or crutches. Just the same as placing a brushmark or choice of colour in the wrong place which can have less than wonderful results.

But I do know this. Every single effort that I put into learning how to paint in what is classed as the most difficult of mediums has been worth it. And so will be that fantastic feeling of walking again unaided,standing alone and reaching for anything at all without having to ask for help.

I am very independant and also usually very energetic.  Having to slow down right now and think about  my every move is possibly frustrating. Yet there is an inner calm about me which is  quite beautiful. I know I am going to be better but I feel this is a great opportunity time for me to just enjoy nature around me. Absorbing the beauty I see daily and considering where I am heading, not only with my feet but with my art! I can work on my book without interruption or distractions and love being quietly in my studio. perhaps an angl eon my shoulder decided this is where I need to be in my life. Reflecting and looking forward quietly.

I am positive. I am detremined not to have a permanent limp as has been suggested and I am convinced I will be dancing again in heels in the future. Just like I was when I first picked up my brushes. I wanted to master watercolour so badly I never gave up then and I won't give up on my recovery either!

Whatever you are doing and whatever difficulties you may be facing always stop to consider that every single thing that happens to us makes us stronger. Paintings that don't always go right are the ones that teach us the most. Lifes hiccups are just like that.  Their bonus is teaching us to appreciate the smooth times even more. For example I will never take for granted being able to walk in future!

Artist tip for the day? Its' obvious.

Don't give up!

Never, ever give up!