Watercolours With Life: South Africa 2010

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

South Africa 2010

Shades for Jacaranda

South Africa Study 2010

My blog has been quiet as I have been away in South Africa on a wonderful trip. I can't begin to explain the sense of excitemnt in racing for my brushes having seen such glorious colour and light there.On arrival a huge Jacaranda tree stood immediately outside the whitewashed walls of the house we were staying in. Each day I marvelled at its colour knowing no flower in UK matches this perfectly. As is my way I made a few studies of the flower shapes and colours I could see whilst sat in bright sunlight. These colours will guide me in my work when I later paint from photographs in my studio at home. Working from a photograph alone I never feel I can truly capture the spirit of what I see in real life. This technique and painting tip brings my memory home with me more accurately.

I had initially considered a watercolour workshop there this year but my work load recently has been so great that I began to come to terms with the fact that I needed food for my own artists soul. A break with just time to relax and study colour and light in a new location.

I have had such a wonderful time and seen so many new subjects which I am dying to share. The sights, food, people and sounds every where we went were all stunning. And the good news is that I now have a programme for a workshop to be scheduled into my diary in South Africa next year which I will share on my next entry!

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1 comment:

Vicki Holdwick said...: Nice to have you back, Jean,

xoxo; 1 December 2010 at 07:30

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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."