Watercolours With Life: Snowdrops 2013

Friday, 11 January 2013

Snowdrops 2013

Snowdrops coming to life as a work in progress

Not a year goes by where I don't feel compelled to paint snowdrops. I adore these little flowers. Considering they face the bad weather to bloom, bringing hints of warmer days to come each Springtime.

In the past I have usually painted them with blue ,violet or turquoise backdrops using a variety of texture effects. For some reason those colour combinaions were not my first choice as I painted in my studio today. I opted for pinks and yellows to brighten up what could have been a very cool wash. There is a wonderful sense of movement appearing at this stage as I love how the delicate heads of the real flowers nod in the slightest of breezes.

It is incredible how much we think about when painting the simplest of subjects. I can't wait to finish this piece and start a new one too to see where the snowdrop journey of 2013 will lead me!

Artist Tip: Look at a subject you painted last year and see if you paint it differently this year. Use different colour combinations or change your usual composition. Aim for the unique and have confidence in your choices!

1 comment:

Michelle Morris said...: Jean, I too paint snowdrops! To me, the symbolize the evidence of things not seen--namely spring in my cold climate! Lovely paintings.; 13 January 2013 at 18:20

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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."