Watercolours With Life: Summer Blues

Sunday, 24 May 2015

Summer Blues

Large Abstract of Flowers on my Easel

Colours Used: Indigo, French Ultramarine, Violet and Turquoise

I often set myself a challenge just for the sake of it. If I don't, I end up painting what I know, what I love and what I feel like. And this could lead me unwittingly into painting the same things in the same way continually. And so I experiment continually to keep my work fresh and my enthusiasm alive.

To make myself jump out of my comfort zone I will often cover a large piece of paper with random colour. Leave it overnight and then see what I can visualise in the result the next day. I never think of a subject ahead of my experiment. I just play with colour. Recently my passion of more abstract work is effecting my results. This morning I adored the wash created previously by using Indigo, French Ultramarine, Violet and Turquoise. These colours are a dream when applied together and allowed to merge naturally. I applied salt in sections of the wash and left it to dry overnight.

My next challenge was to limit the use of colour on top of this wash. So in this painting I have worked with indigo to create negative patterns which have formed soft flowers. Just a little more definition and this could be a fascinatingly unique painting. And very different to my previous paintings which is the whole point of my experiments.

This was so relaxing to work on and I can add more detail to complete this painting. But the joy really was the process. The journey towards a result. Not the destination. And I feel I have improved my imaginative skills by working this way.

Artist Tip : Whatever you are working on this week please find time to stretch your skills, your imagination and leap out of your comfort zone. You may find, like me, that you prefer being there instead!

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I have had some amazing emails about my new book and I promise I will try to reply as soon as I can. I am teaching workshops in UK this week. The week after that I will be demonstrating at Patchings.

But I am reading every single email and I am over the moon that my book is being enjoyed already. It took so long to write as I was determined to have different subjects in it and new ideas so it would be completely different to " Atmospheric Watercolours". In a way it is meant to read like being on workshops with me. Fun, enjoyable but totally inspirational to encourage readers to be unique and create art that is beautifully personal to them.

Thank you SO much for each wonderful message!

I am so lucky to know people like you.

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1 comment:

Unknown said...: Amo el azul y amo profundamente tu trabajo. Soy tu fan incondicional, pero eso es solo producto de tu talento, tu generosidad y tu ejemplo de vida. No puedo dejar de revisar tus publicaciones diariamente, porque siempre nos sorprendes con algo nuevo y sin una inyección de positivismo... Realmente no me canso de repetirte Gracias por tanto! Desde Argentina tan lejos y tan cerca...

Gracias! Graciela; 24 May 2015 at 13:22

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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."