Watercolours With Life: What is Watercolour?

Friday, 3 February 2012

What is Watercolour?

A floral watercolour taking shape from an interesting first wash

This has been a wonderful week where for the first time in months I have been able to dedicate my studio time to painting for me, from my heart, working on what I feel like and when I feel like it.

Behind the scenes on Monday there were final decisions to make on my new book "Atmospheric Watercolours". Then there was the need to catch up on the many emails awaiting replies. I do try to reply personally to every single message but at times this seems impossible. Even so it is part of who I am to want to communicate with other artists and friends old and new who like my work.

I love hearing from the beginner to the most seasoned and professional of artists because we all share one thing in common,our passion for watercolour. But having said that it really is so amazing what can be classed as "Watercolour". To me it is any painting that has been created using a product that goes by this name only. It has got a reputation of being the most difficult of mediums to work in which is probably why over time acrylics are now so popular. But the joyful experience of seeing magical interaction of watercolour pigment and water, watching them flow, merge and form patterns is simply incredible to observe.

Today I worked on dark effects studying just how far I could go without killing the light I so love. It would have been far easier to opt for simply allowing an ink to run through the backgrounds. As this would have given me the darkness I was hoping to aim for in one of my pieces. But that seemed like "cheating" so I stuck to my principles and worked only in the watercolour that I love and adore as a medium.

The studies are coming to life in a really exciting way and the effort of working solely in one medium,pushing myself to explore and never be satisfied is so rewarding.

I just wish I had forty eight hour days and ten day weeks to enjoy all I want to enjoy whilst painting.There just never seems to be enough time!

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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."