Watercolours With Life: Crossing Bridges Continued!

Sunday, 4 April 2010

Crossing Bridges Continued!

A Very Old Canal Bridge Appearing in Watercolour.

I do love it when people say to me " I didn't know you painted landscapes!". I paint absolutely everything but often the seasons dictate what my subject matter will be. You will often find me attracted to painting flowers in the springtime and summer months. Animals I paint all the time. Landscapes appear as I travel or paint on location. My "Watercolours With Life" workshops cover a variety of subjects in each session so that everyone who attends is sure to paint something that they feel passionate about.

I recieved some wonderful messages following my " Crossing Bridges" blog entry yesterday so felt this watercolour study of a canal bridge appropriate to share today. Painted on location last year with friends I loved quietly taking in the scenery and allowing it to breath to life on paper,bringing into the scene some of the history of the bridge that is so old. What stories it could tell of days gone by when the only people to cross it were on foot or horseback.

I still have many bridges to cross and I am heeding some wonderful advise. Never cross any bridges that you don't feel comfortable about crossing yet and if you do cross any successfully share the positive experience with others!

I am getting so many questions forwarded and requests regarding advise on how to start teaching or holding workshops and how much to charge. I can only share my own experiences and views but will try to help as much as possible. Sadly yet another email came my way from someone who had parted with almost £100 to attend a one day workshop with an artist who they later discovered had never taught or held a workshop in their life before.They felt cheated as the workshop wasn't very good as the artist had no experience whatsoever. Please bear in mind it isn't always the artists fault in these situations. Quite often the organisers of art holidays or art centres behind the events are also to blame. Please do your own research into workshops and find out as much as you can beforehand about the demonstrating artist. If they are teaching abroad find out how well attended their workshops are in their own country. If they are not teaching there ask the question , why?

Be cautious!

I will happily share some thoughts and suggestions in a seperate entry so please keep sending me the questions as I am sure they will be ones that many others would love to know answers to!

********************

No comments:

Post a Comment

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."