Watercolours With Life: This Time Of Year

Monday, 6 December 2010

This Time Of Year

Robin appearing from the initial brushtrokes and colour placement.

This Time Of Year

It has started. That wonderful feeling of Christmas being around the corner. The anticipation of sharing days with family and friends.Thinking about the preparation necessary to make the weeks ahead special for all I know. I love it!

Every year I face the same dilema. I need to paint for galleries, features and charity cards. My own Christmas card design is always at the bottom of the list waiting to be fitted in and I am always given hints of what the subject should be. Two years ago I painted our a scene of our cottage as it was in its' original state. Last year I knew in my heart it could be Taffy, our gorgeous Bearded Collies last Christmas with us. I chose to paint him in a Santa hat to make everyone smile.

This year I think everyone has been expecting a cockerel with a santa hat on from me! But I have been followed by a cheeky robin everywhere in our garden. It sits on the car door when you open it as you arrive home each day. It eagerly follows me when I feed the ducks and I always find something to give him. He has become a family friend.

This morning sat in snow outside my window "Rocky" Robin looked fluffy and round. He leaned forwards as if to see if I was making my way to the door to feed him. His pose was so cute against a misty snowy background. I found myself immersed in capturing his tiny expression and beady eye that shone full of life and expectancy.

He makes a wonderful subject and as I am determined to paint with red shades this week he fits into my schedule beautifully!

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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."