Watercolours With Life: Painting Primroses: Spring 2013

Monday, 14 January 2013

Painting Primroses: Spring 2013

Primrose Step by Step in Watercolour

Choosing Colours of Springtime

I really didn't think I would make it to my blog today as I had so much to do. First, I knew I needed to complete my catalogue for my exhibition in Devon at the end of this month. Next I had to deliver artwork to be framed for my show in Godalming. The collection is large so it is taking time to complete.

The weather today here saw snow and sleet making the roads difficut to manoeuvre,visibility was awful. But I managed to get there and back in one piece so here I am. And I promised to share how I paint primroses on my blog this week, so I hope someone is eagerly waiting for me to share my technique. If you are reading this, it could be you!

We are going to take a simple wash like this to the next stage of finding flowers in it.

First stage wash for primroses

Not quite as easy as it looks but I have tips to share!

I am lucky in that I have real primroses flowering in my garden at the moment so I will share mine with you for this exercise and step by step.

In the next image you can see how I matched the colour of the real flower with colours selected for my painting of them. That yellow isn't easy to achieve either. Again I have a few tips to share!

Colour matching to make the subject seem more alive.

(Real flower placed alongside my wash to show how true the colours chosen are.)

Tomorrow we will look at the materials you will need, as in paper and fabulous shades to work with, then we will begin!

Be ready and as a tip please think of Spring in your imagination and all the colours you "think" you see for that season and lets' see if we can bring them alive!

I will start by sharing the products and colours I use and how to create the first wash and stages to almost feel the subject in the first stages.

Roll on tomorrow!

2 comments:

Brotesdeternura said...: Many thanks for your "step by step" and for sharing so many nice things that happen in the back of your world of watercolors, through your books, blog, facebook, twitter, Jean. I once read a statement that said: "Rate whom you dedicated your time. 's Giving you something she can never recover"- Your generosity to those who are far shows how "big" you are. Thanks for your time talented. Grace; 15 January 2013 at 03:48
Michelle Morris said...: Jean, while my style is different, I've tried to incorporate some of your movement and spontaneity in my paintings lately. I've found it quite helpful and am finding a style that is more my own than ever! Thanks for sharing techniques and vision. I look forward to growing more with you.; 15 January 2013 at 10:53

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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."

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"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.

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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.

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