Watercolours With Life: Watercolour Warm Ups.

Monday, 4 January 2010

Watercolour Warm Ups.

Hints of a Christmas Rose

If we walked into a gym we would always warm up before going straight into very serious exercise. When we paint it is a wonderful discipline to do the same thing. To free our mind and get us into the quiet place in our minds where we need to be to connect with our creations. I always start each painting session with several small " warm up" pieces. I explore a variety of colour combinations in each . I will often try new ideas to achieve a huge variety of results.

My saying for today is

" An exercise a day keeps the painting blues away"

1) When was the last time you painted just for fun ?

2) When did you experiment last or try something completely new?

A child will paint without fear purely enjoying the bliss of being able to create. That joy is something we often lose as adults by our obsession with always having to paint masterpieces suitable for framing,selling or exhibiting.

In 2010 I aim to bring back joy and adventure into art on this blog.......and I will find a way of setting challenges for friends and followers to join in with each month if they wish.

Happy painting!

5 comments:

JANE MINTER said...: happy new year jean ... beautiful ...first christmas rose has appeared in the garden here ... that sounds a lovely idea; 4 January 2010 at 02:27
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Thank you Jane. I thought I would set a fun challenge to get everyone moving their brushes in 2010, I have a lovely one for the January warm up!

Happy New Year to you!; 4 January 2010 at 02:30
Debbie said...: Jean, A Happy New Year to you too.
This is exactly what I'm needing to give me a kick for the new year, I have really missed my painting this holiday...... I don't think hot sunny climates are conducive to painting and I'm itching to get set up again when I get back home.....roll on Wednesday!!!!!!!
Your warm ups are a great way to start the day... looking forward to them! Mwah!; 4 January 2010 at 02:58
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Hello Debbie, I am thrilled you are so excited. I think 2010 will be a wonderful year for all of us......a January warm up will be just the thing to get us all inspired!; 4 January 2010 at 03:03
Helen said...: Happy New Year from me too! I am ready and waiting Jean!! Fantastic idea...really appreciate the fact that you are always so encouraging!; 4 January 2010 at 03:15

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The Artist Magazine : Book Review

Jean Haines' Atmospheric Watercolours

"The book is nothing less than a paean to the wet in wet technique. If that's your thing, prepare to be amazed. Jean Haines credits Jean Louis Morelle, and in many ways this book is the sequel to Morelle's remarkable, but very technical work, showing the wealth of creative possibilities the technique offers. A lot of the images are barely recognisable and yet you instinctively know what they are. I wish I knew how, because this is impressionism taken to its logical conclusion and reminiscent of some of the later work by JMW Turner. You will have to take it from me that "First signs of a face appearing magically from a first wash of watercolour" is pure alchemy. This is an extraordinary book."

"Amazing Ways With Watercolour:" Fastest Selling DVD!

"Amazing Ways With Watercolour" from Town House Films is the fastest selling DVD with the company to date! Record breaking pre-orders for this much awaited film saw requests for copies flooding in from all over the world. A wonderful introduction into working with watercolour minus the use of a preliminary sketch this DVD removes the fear, stress or pressure from worry about how to use watercolour. Instead the focus is on having fun, enjoying vibrant colour combinations and allowing the medium to create the subjects with just a little help from the artist. A really exciting new DVD to own. Whilst the DVD sold out in the first few months since its' release due to popularity it is now in stock and available directly from Town House Films.

http://www.townhousefilms.co.uk

How To Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour

"How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" Jeans first book was launched at the Mall Galleries in 2010 at the SWA Society for Women Artists Annual Exhibition. Many copies have been sold world wide. It is available on Amazon.com, Search Press, SAA Society for All Artists and Ken Bromley.

"This book is a wonderful introduction into Jeans' way of working and gives an insight into her way of thinking and approach to a large variety of subjects. All painted minus the use of a preliminary sketch."