Watercolours With Life: We Were All Beginners Once!

Sunday, 31 July 2011

We Were All Beginners Once!

We Were All Beginners Once!

A very early portrait of mine

From an online portrait tutorial of mine years ago.

Thank you so much to everyone who liked my recent post of a portrait painted for an online tutorial years ago. I have had some wonderful emails forwarded to me from artists who loved this sweet face and many from blog readers who are literally just starting their own art journeys.

It is worth remembering that every single artist you meet , no matter who they are was a beginner at some time in their lives. And even as established artist we all often make mistakes. I still put paintings in the bin if I am not happy with them. Friends may wish I didn't but they are just not what I was hoping to achieve!

We really are all in a fabulous world where we understand exactly what each other is going through. From learning how to paint to that moment of trying to get into a gallery, society or exhibition. Don't worry when you have bad days,those will make the good days seem far better.The best advise is to keep moving that brush,don't worry what others say about your art. Love it yourself and believe in it.

You may find this amusing but when I first went off the rails of tried and true techniques quite a few artists didn't like my one eyed animals or portraits. My loose work was far too loose for them and I was advised to stay working as I was or I would never be successful as an artist. But guess what? My style is being loved now and tried by others who love it too. I stuck to my guns,stayed true to what I wanted to achieve and I am loving where I am now.

So if you want to paint a one legged cow, purple donkey or multi colour cabbage,you go for it.Your art is your own so be unique and brave enough to do so! Love what you do and don't ever be put off by those who may not see the world as you do.

On that note I will get back to painting my one eyed, one eared, two legged cat with green spots!

6 comments:

Capt Elaine Magliacane said...: I have that tutorial printed out... it was very helpful to me. Today's post made me smile, I'm so glad you didn't listen to the nay sayers.. your delight in painting watercolors is inspiring... I love watercolor too, and seeing your latest video, I've learned to love it even more... to allow it to blend and bloom and to delight in it's unique qualities... instead of fighting it... my art work my never hang in a gallery, but it does make me happy and that's enough for me.; 31 July 2011 at 04:23
Susan Roux said...: Oh my goodness those eyes are to dye for! There is such a simple delicateness in this that rings so well with a young child. Beautiful. And yes, we were all beginners once...; 31 July 2011 at 05:36
Billie Crain said...: I remember this, Jean! I participated in your tutorial when I was just beginning to work with watercolor.; 31 July 2011 at 11:32
Jullia said...: How lovely said "Don't worry when you have bad days,those will make the good days seem far better.The best advise is to keep moving that brush,don't worry what others say about your art. Love it yourself and believe in it" and I would add: "so others will start to love it too" :); 31 July 2011 at 11:53
Sandra Busby said...: I LOVE this! It is absolutely exquisite!; 1 August 2011 at 06:24
Lana Manis said...: Jean, thank you for the advice! :)
I love the loose style of watercolor painting and have been trying to find tutorials and books about it. I really enjoy painting with watercolors, but I am self-taught and my style is just fun folk art, nothing fancy. It's a bit difficult trying to learn techniques without any formal art training so I appreciate artists willing to share.; 12 September 2011 at 10:44

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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."