Watercolours With Life: Happy Mothers Day

Sunday 14 March 2010

Happy Mothers Day

From the "Essence of Summer" Collection of Rose Paintings

By Jean Haines

Having lived all over the world I have discovered that the date of Mothers Day varies depending on where you live. For those living in UK today is Mothering Sunday. Lucky Mums will be woken with cups of tea, given bunches of flowers along with pretty cards and taken out for a Mothering Sunday lunch.. It is a special day.

Earlier this week I bought a variety of flowers for my workshop so that everyone attending had the opportunity to paint from life rather than a photograph.This to me is the very best way to capture exciting and unique results.The florist mentioned that this weekend the price of flowers would be very high.

Considering the humble beginning of giving gifts to Mothers it seems such a turn of events. Years ago servants would be allowed to visit their Mothers as an annual day off. They would usually go to Church and families united would enjoy simple fayre. Posies given could have been picked from hedgerows. Cakes were often made to be offered as gifts and the whole day was one where everyone could simply treasure the joy of being together.

Love is such a small word that can be expressed in the most amazing of ways.

I hope this Mothering Sunday the true meaning behind the day exists for many.

To show Mothers just how much they are loved and appreciated.

Happy Mothers Day!

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...: Jean, A very happy mothers day to you too.....although I'm only a mum to my cats, they bring me such joy and love. I adore this painting, and aspire to this lovely loose, soft painting style if I ever began painting flowers. Your workshop sounds like lots of fun. I do so love looking at flower paintings in watercolor. What would be the best advice for starting to paint flowers?
Maggie; 14 March 2010 at 03:55
Kathy said...: Wow! What a lovely painting. You knew just what to leave out. It is so soft and simple...which makes it hard to do. Thanks for sharing.; 15 March 2010 at 01:46
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Hello Maggie, for me it is always a nessecity to fall in love with my subject which makes it far easier to paint.

Studying its form and sense of whether it is delicate or not helps with my brushstrokes and getting the colour absolutely right helps too.

I have a simple step by step on painting a flower without sketching in my book that takes only a few minutes. It may help you gain an insight into how I work and I will try to add more flowers here as well.

What are your favourite flowers,not to paint but simply to be enjoyed? I can work on a few ideas for you to try?

They really are addictive once you get into the habit of painting them. One just isnt enough!

Jean; 15 March 2010 at 11:17
Jean Haines SWA, SFP said...: Hi Kathy,thank you so much.

My style really does depend very much on what I omit than what I put in and I am thrilled you noticed that in this painting which is one of my favourites! Thank you for a lovely reply

Jean; 15 March 2010 at 11:18

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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."