" Presence "

 Lost for Words

Sometimes its' impossible to find the right title to go with a painting.

"It looks better on me" comes to mind when I see these beautiful creatures with their ivory tusks.

I am preparing my studio for filming my new DVD with Townhouse Films here next month. While tidying up  my store cupboards it has been really incredible coming across not only products but old paintings that I have kept to remind me of my art journey. I envisage being an old lady looking through my collection of watercolours one day and remembering when and why they were painted. And where. That is of course if I can remember!

They say elephants never forget. So it is timely that I  reworked an old favourite of one this afternoon. I made this piece more vibrant using my favourite Daniel Smith shades. Layering and building up colour. I loved working the textural colour veins in the top right hand corner. You can see a close up of these below.

 Watercolour veins worked in watercolour to add interest in the background. 

Isn't this a stunning shade of blue?

I wonder if you noticed the baby elephant at the foot of the painting? Hidden and protected by its caring and doting mother. It is only just there. As is the rapidly declining population of these stunning creatures.

Hidden baby elephant at the foot of the painting.

My heart aches when I think that in generations to come these  gentle giants may be a thing of the past. Wiped out by mans' greed. It is such an awful thought. And yet so much of our wildlife is suffering at the hands of the human race. 

How ashamed those who  are behind their loss should feel.

Anyone who follows me on Twitter will know I care so much about animals. They have no voice of their own so it really is up to us to do our bit to raise awareness and help if we can where and when needed. Thank you so much for all the lovely messages from my last blog post  with the previous elephant painting. 

It really does help to know I am surrounded by people and friends who, like me, care.

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Colour and Light in Watercolour : Collectors Edition

The new edition of "Colour and Light in Watercolour" is now available on Amazon.com for pre order.

Please be aware there is not just one but two versions of this book. As a celebration of its' relaunch it has been decided by my publishers to launch a very special collectors edition which is a beautiful hardback. This is a limited  print so once the hard back edition has sold out that will be it and the book will from then on only be available in the paperback form.

Some people prefer hard back and some  prefer paperback. This is a very wonderful chance to choose which ever you prefer. I am a hard back kind of buyer. I like to have my art books on my coffee table to read  in the evenings. But a paperback isn't so worrying if you use it while painting and get pigment splattered all over it! So you have a lovely choice of either or, or as one artist has told me  today. They are happily buying both. One will get covered in watercolour, the beautiful hard back will stay pristinely clean!

If you are interested this is the link to Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-Colour-Light-Watercolour/dp/1782214038/ref=sr_1_3/277-8718725-2273907?ie=UTF8&qid=1437502384&sr=8-3&keywords=jean+haines+colour+and+light

There is a paperback available.

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Will You Miss Me When I am Gone?

Elephant in watercolour.

Is it appearing or disappearing?

I am sat quietly working in my studio. Experimenting with all the art products I have accumulated or been given over the years. I haven't painted an elephant for a while so began to create one in this dramatic first wash. Yes, this is one of those days where colour dictates my subject rather than I.

But as I painted this majestic creature my mind began to wander. How many of us adore elephants ? How many wildlife artists or photographers enjoy capturing their images? Many across the world. But I have to ask the question. What wildlife animals will artists of the future be painting because so many are sadly disappearing. The plight of elephants due to poaching for ivory is a frightening one. I can't see why with all the technology and information we have at hand this isn't stopped before it is far too late.

How can we as a human race watch as these stunning creatures are annihilated for financial greed and ancient medicinal beliefs?

I wish I could paint a magic wand that would make people worldwide see sense to save these beautiful beings.

If only.

And so the title.

The elephant.

" Will you miss me when I am gone?" 

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Yellow Rose : On My Easel

Yellow Rose Coming To Life on My Easel

When the weather is so wonderful nothing beats sitting outside quietly and painting.

Outside my Kitchen window I have a flower bed that is created purely for roses. When the kitchen windows are open the perfume of these beautiful flowers wafts inside as the scent fills the air in our cottage  It is sheer heaven!

I had been painting ragwort  from the nearby fields but as the yellow and green shades I was using as a base for my ink additions in the abstract were so nice I thought I would use them on the yellow rose blooming at the moment in our garden.

I have allowed a central section of strong yellow to merge with turquoise for the main bloom shapes.  The addition of orange shades applied with the rigger from my personalised brush set helps the petals to appear.

In the lower sections there is a drop of left over blue ink which has merged to create the pattern you see which can be read as foliage shadows.

It has been a terrific painting day and I can't wait for tomorrow!

Life is good when we can see and enjoy the beauty around us.

Happy painting!

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I tend to work with a size 10 brush for flowers and add touches of pigment from my soft rigger which is perfect for painting detail. Which is why these two brushes are sold as a set. I tend to hold them both in my hands when I am working and they are so gorgeous to handle.

They are available from Jackson's Art Supplies. 

 http://www.jacksonsart.com/search.php?input_search=Jean+Haines+brushes&stock=0&x=0&y=0

I am sorry to say I closed my on line shop due to the popularity of my brushes. Which sounds crazy but it is true. It was taking so much time. Even though I have a PA it was becoming a full time job just to handle my sales page yet alone take workshop bookings and enquiries. Now I am happy to say that Jackson's Art Supplies are selling my personalised brush range. I am thrilled! The problem my brushes are so popular that they are low in stock there too at the moment but more stock will be in soon. The size 12 of mine is an absolute favourite worldwide too and I just couldn't live without my set. Its' perfect for all of my work, and I love it!

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Yellow Peril

 "Yellow Peril"

Mixed Media ( Not watercolour )

Ragwort in the field near our cottage.

It is hot, sunny and a beautiful day. I am listening to bees buzzing as I paint outside. Near our cottage is a field where horses usually graze. I love watching them and I have my favourites. But at this time of year they can't use the field due to a plant that appears annually. The owners of the stables will be out in force trying to pull out these weeds that can cause serious health problems to horses.

Its' amazing how something that looks so colourful can be so perilous.

Hence the title of my painting this afternoon. I am working through my studio cupboards and gradually working with products I have long forgotten about. Years ago before I became so passionate about painting only in pure watercolour I used all manner of things to create vibrant colour. Nothing was offlimits and I loved discovering new techniques and ideas to create texture an patterns.

I started painting in quite pale watercolour shades in UK years ago. I then moved to Asia. But it was my move to Dubai where I really fell in love with colour first. Here I experimented with other mediums. I worked realistic portraits in oil and pastel. And I played with inks for the first time. This was so long ago now that I had forgotten all about them. At this time in my life I had a wonderful group of International Professional Artist friends. We would often show together and we would take it in turns to meet in each others houses to paint together. My favourite weeks were the experimental sessions. Where one artist had the task of finding something unique to paint as the chosen experiment. I loved it so much. There were so many things we came up with as aideas. We tried just about anything to see if it would stain or interact as watercolour does. The ink session was a favourite  and the fun we had is still in my mind. What we mixed it with was interesting too. It wasnt used just on its own. And thats how I created the above painting. "Yellow Peril".

Painting a watercolour with the addition of ink today brought back many happy memories. All started by a wonderful surprise phone call. One of my dear friends from this art group is visiting me from Dubai this week. So this piece was  inspired by my talking to Vandana.

 The view  I was painting isn't quite so dramatic. I took the yellow of the ragwort and used it for the sky colour to  add more warmth against my selection of a dark background to create the "evil" perilous plant. 

Now I have studied the photograph I may just try this again as it was such fun to paint!

Ragwort.

Peril for horses

You can read about Ragwort via this link.

http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/ragwort

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Whatever you are doing, enjoy it ! Sometimes as artists we need a little break from our usual way of working. Today I had a holdiay of sorts. Painting with another medium.

But my favourite is still watercolour!

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Look What You Did?

"Jean Haines World of Watercolour"

Selling so well it has had to go for a reprint already! 

Can you believe it? I can't!

This week I was invited to the Annual Summer Party by my  amazing publishers and it was a fantastic night to celebrate so much. I met literary agents from all over the world and leading authors too who I had not met before. Authors who work in different arts and crafts.

I was thrilled to talk to the owners about the success and popularity of my books on watercolour. But my jaw dropped when I was told that my latest book "Jean Haines World of Watercolour" has had to go  for its' very first reprint already. This is incredible.  It has only just been launched officially and everyone at my publishers is over the moon.  As am I. But my face must have been a picture because I couldn't take the news in at first. I just stood in a stunned silence!

 I had previously been told that the pre order sales for "Jean Haines World of Watercolour"broke all records for a new book and that since the launch  orders for copies have flooded in.

Now, as I am sat here typing this news to you I feel as though I am typing about someone else because this could not possibly be happening to me. I feel like a tiny blip in the world of art. A small, insignificant artist who just loves painting and sharing their passion for  watercolour. I feel wonderful when I work quietly in my garden. And I wake with the eagerness of a child who knows they are going to enjoy the day each morning.

But to hear this incredible news has slightly knocked me for six.

I am happy. No, that's an understatement. I am thrilled! Ecstatic but also a little overwhelmed. Because the more nice things people say about me the harder I work so as not to let those very same people down.

I owe the biggest thank you to every single person who has not only bought a copy of my books but also encouraged me, supported me and let me know they like what I am doing.

 I was told I am one of the publishers top authors. They said in a speech this week that without writers they wouldn't exist. 

I believe without you I wouldn't exist as an author. 

I wouldn't. 

Its' as simple as that.

So you are making my dreams come true which means I must work hard to make everyone elses' dreams come true.

Happiness creates happiness and it is a gift to give away. Not keep.

Thank you.

Thank you so much!

***********************

Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground Experiments

Experimenting with Daniel Smith Fine Ground Products

Adding exciting texture and life to flat sections of a painting

Wow! What a blast I am having experimenting with Daniel Smith Fine Ground products. I am very lucky as a professional artist as I am often given new products to try. In all honesty I only ever share them on my blog if I like them or they have given me something to grow from as an artist. And oh boy am I having fun with these fascinating products. There is so much that you can do with them but as a usually purist watercolourist I have avoided even experimenting with them. Until now that is!

So what was I given?

Here you go!

Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground in Mars Black and Buff Titanium.

 

 Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground in Mars Black and Buff Titanium

"I don't want the black so please don't give it to me" I hastily replied when offered these two products. 

" I never use black" I cried indignantly but the two pots  were placed in my hands by a smiling "contributor" to my ever growing range of Daniel Smith products. They wouldn't take no for an answer and laughed as they walked away from me.

" Just try them" He said and laughed. 

He knows me too well. Now it is over a month since I was given these to try and I found myself staring at them thsi morning thinking should I put them in a cupboard and forget them or have a play with them. And so I did the latter and what joy they are!

 First things first. I must admit I prefer a watercolour to be created just with pure watercolour products. But there is that inner yearning as an artist to know what is available on the market and experience what other artists  are using. I want to be current in my work and up to date. Aware of what is new and what I like when products come onto the art market. I expected to hate these product as they just aren't " me"

But am I wrong?

Firstly I had to find  paintings I could play with.  I had some rooster paintings I wasn't intending to frame so thought they would do for these experiments.

Please forgive me but I have painted on top of the two cockerels in my new book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour". I know I want shooting but they were at hand and I felt they would be a great piece to  add to!

So for Experiment 1. I have applied the Daniel Smith Buff Titanium Watercolor Ground over the faces of the two roosters and then used the Mars Black at the back of their necks, using a spatula for application and creating textural directional feather strokes as I applied the  product. I liked the build up but this has to dry completely before I add further watercolour on top.

I have chosen to lighten sections and add drama with the darker colour, where I applied Mars Black, at the outer edges of my subjects.

 Experimenting : I have chosen to lighten sections and add drama with the darker colour

 After this I was hooked. What else could I do? Like a child in a candy shop I started really looking for paintings to either destroy or improve. I was on a mission!

I found the second rooster I had intended to just add detail to, on the face, this weekend but instead I enjoyed using the Mars Black on the tail. Oh boy this is fun.

Just look at the difference now? The painting has far more impact with the textural improvements.

BEFORE 

 The tail was looking flat and boring. 

I liked it before the application of Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground but......

 AFTER

Wow, what a difference and this was so simple to do!

Now I have to wait for these applications to dry completely before I decide what to do next.

But I can't remember when I had so much fun experimenting.

I would love to hear what you do with this product. Perhaps you could reply to my blog post and link to your art using this product?  Lets' see how much we can inspire each other and grow as artists!

Oh and by the way I was inspired to try this after receiving my Jackson's Art Supplies new catalogue. In it is a wonderful range of products to try . Included is an interview I gave to Jackson's when they asked me what my favourite watercolour was and why. You can also buy my personalised range of  "Jean Haines Watercolour Brushes" from them too!

Here is a link to the Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground page  on Jacksons Art Supplies web site

 http://www.jacksonsart.com/search.php?input_search=daniel+smith+watercolor+ground&stock=0&x=0&y=0


And here is a link to my personalised watercolour brush range. They are now so popular that  some of my brushes are currently out of stock but I have been promised they will be in stock soon!

 http://www.jacksonsart.com/search.php?input_search=jean+haines+brushes&stock=0&x=0&y=0


 

But fo rnow , I can't stop. I want to get back to playing with these products. I feel as though I am five years old having great fun again and its is fantastic.

Oh, and thank you to the wonderful donor of this incredible product. You know who you are! And you were right. I love it!

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Vancouver Excitement! 2016

"When Feathers Fly"

New cockerel painting

It has been far too long since I created a new rooster! Everyone who has attended my workshops or demonstrations this year will know I have been experimenting with a new brush and colour technique. I used it on this piece and I am delighted to say it works fantastically. My old Asian trick is brilliant. So it isn't just French Ultramarine and Indigo it works for after all!

How wonderful it was this morning to wake and open emails from excited artists all eager to book a place on my first workshops in Vancouver BC !

I am thrilled with the response and even more over the moon by reading the messages  showing obvious enthusiasm to attend. If you are interested in a place please contact me urgently as I feel the courses will book there very quickly and places are limited. Why? Because I like to keep my workshops small enough in number that I can give personal one on one attention to each artist ensuring they have personal time with me. In larger groups I find artists can not only often not see the artist demonstrating or hear them. But they get very little time with the teaching artist on a personal basis. On this note I love how everyone comments that I stay with my classes for the whole workshop duration. I do work hard but that is the point of sharing your passion for painting. I don't disappear or paint by myself. I am with you 100% of the time. And I love  it!

 I have had  some incredible new invitations to USA recently that I will try to fit in on future tours but please contact me now if your Art Society is interested in hosting an event. Often my courses are arranged well in advance of them taking place and recent bookings have taken me up to 2018.

Have a great day. Strut your stuff with that paintbrush and whatever you are doing have fun and smile!

Thank you to everyone who has already contacted me for a place in Vancouver. Booking only opened officially this morning so hopefully you will all have a place!

For contact details for my Vancouver workshops please email me on

jeanhaines@hotmail.com as soon as possible.

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Vancouver B.C Watercolour Workshops : March 2016

Jean Haines World of Watercolour

Available from Amazon.com

 Vancouver B.C 
Watercolour Workshops

March 2016

 I am thrilled to share the news that my watercolour workshops in Vancouver March 2016  are now open for bookings.

This will be my first visit to Canada and I am really looking forward to meeting everyone there.

There will be two, two day workshops and places will be strictly limited on each to ensure maximum enjoyment by all attending.

The dates are as follows

Workshop 1.  2nd/3rd March 2016

Workshop 2.  5th /6 th March2016

To book please contact me on jeanhaines@hotmail.com as soon as possible.

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"Am I Safe Yet" Fox in Watercolour

"Am I Safe Yet?"

Fox in Watercolour

"As an artist who adores painting wildlife, I feel it is my duty to speak up for the very creatures who have given me years of pleasure painting them. Not to mention the income from sales of these paintings. I owe them. Do you? "

 Wildlife worldwide is under threat. We hear of poaching in Africa for the ivory trade. The horrific fight against bear bile farming is being fought amazingly by Animals Asia. We hear of the plight of whales and dolphins. And the traumatic Yulin Dog Festival which is so horrific in detail that to even consider discussing how these animals suffer makes your stomach churn. All these sickening acts are carried out in countries far from my home. I live in England. A civilised country with civilised standards. We care about wildlife here and wouldn't dream of allowing it to happen on our doorstep.

Not true. At least for a minority here.

My art has been effected this week. I have hidden my emotions well but I have found it really difficult to paint or wokr on writing my beautiful new book. I almost feel as though I am entitled to compensation from the UK government for stress created by making so many wildlife lovers, like me,  in this country fear that a barbaric pastime is about to be made legal again. Due to our Prime Minister choosing to hold a debate and free vote on amendments to the current Hunting Act. Changes which would make it all but impossible to prosecute any illegal activity.

I am not usually one who falls into a political debate. But this is wrong on so many counts. Fox hunting in my view should have disappeared along with witch hunts , public hanging and cock fighting. They say its' tradition? So was sending children up chimneys to clean them. 

We should have moved on as a society. 

We should care about those who can't speak for themselves.

 All the lies about why fox hunting should still exist from helping farmers to keeping fox numbers down can be dispelled by experts.  It doesnt take much to imagine that you don't need a pack of dogs with an "audience" of  hunting people to disperse of one fox. That is like village crowds standing around to watch and enjoy a hanging in the public square years ago. Isn't that an awful thought?  A family day out to watch a murder. Recent features in the press highlight foxes and cubs being kept in a barn to be hunted. The cruelty behind the chocolate box scenes is never shown on TV . We see pretty riders looking stunning in their wonderful costumes. There is even a web site where someone asks casually what they should wear to go cubbing. That is when hounds are trained to kill foxes,  on fox cubs. There are different outfits for different events to kill. 

In 2015? 

What kind of people need a different wardrobe to go out to kill a young or old fox ? 

Far different from my what shall I wear to paint!

My heart sinks that there will be a vote in parliament tomorrow. A vote to change the Hunting Act. To appease the fox hunting community who helped our Prime Minister win the recent election.  A Prime Minister who is keeping his promise but totally ignoring the many people he represents in this country.

So not only has wildlife no voice.

80% of the British public have no voice.

But surprisingly they have. Across England people are outraged that an act that works should be tampered with. People don't want to move backwards in history and animal welfare. They want to move forward. How shameful that in this day and age an educated man such as our prime Minister should wish to bring back the most cruelest sport of all. If people want to ride they can drag hunt. But for some that isn't fun because there is no kill at the end of the day. And that is all this is about.

So last night I sat quietly painting the subject that is emotionally tearing me to bits this week. It isn't just foxes that are effected by the Hunting Act. It is in place to protect all wildlife. Hare and stags are also in danger. 

"Am I Safe Yet"  is dedicated to everyone trying to prevent any changes to the Hunting Act. 

Which in my view needs strengthening not relaxing.

Thank you to everyone who cares about wildlife as I do. I would normally apologise for my rant and my leap into a political debate. But the fox hunters claim they should have the freedom to hunt and kill. My counter claim is we have the right to protect our wildlife just as much. Only our claim takes the moral high ground in compassion and decency.

As an artist who adores painting wildlife, I feel it is my duty to speak up for the very creatures who have given me years of pleasure painting them. Not to mention the income from sales of these paintings. I owe them. Do you?

There are many petitions to sign on this subject.  You can read more about the Hunting Act and why it is under threat via this link.

 http://www.league.org.uk/our-campaigns/hunting/protect-the-hunting-act?gclid=CLT11daA2sYCFdGWtAodNpsPSQ

Artists Beware: Please Read

"Night Magic"

Owl in watercolour

This week , I was told about a web site  selling artists work as posters minus the artists' permission. I checked online and sure enough my work was there. As was the work of many other artists I know. As you can imagine the reaction to this web site has been outrage. There is the now quite common cry of indignation. 

"My work is being copied without my consent".

But looking at the site makes you wonder if there is more to this than initially first thought. The web site claim they are not hosting the images. They are simply selling prints of the art if their clients ask them to. They say it is their clients responsibilty to check the art being printed. So in their eyes they are not breaking copyright law. Well, in my eyes they are. They know very well the art they have on their site belongs to the original artists and they are the ones selling the copies. Not their clients. But if you think about it, there is nothing to stop anyone contacting a local printer, showing them any image they have seen online and asking them to print a copy. As artists we would never be able to control this side of copying. It would be impossible. So my advise is to only show low res images of your work online. Make it impossible for anyone to print a copy of your paintings and if they do the  printing will be so poor that if the buyer wants it thats their choice! I know this isn't ideal but how much time can we spend as artists following up every single web site and demanding it is taken down.

This particular web site selling artists work apparently is from Russia. I have heard it has been taken down four times already but just keeps popping up in another name or format. But basically its the same thing. You choose an image, and they will print it. So you need to give them your information of where the poster will be sent to and also you need to pay. Buy Mastercard or Visa etc. So they will have all this information. For a very small amount. Is this nothing more than a phishing scam? And does anyone actually get a poster?

Can I suggest rather than advertise this site that you do not. If you see it please do not link to it in any way. If you have linked to it please run an anti virus scan on your computers. Check cookies, remove their name.

This is my advise.

1) Be sensible at what you share online.  By art and links to sites like these. By  warning other artists about this web site we could be inadvertently  drawing them into the scam.

2) Keep your images low res. Magazines need high res art for printing. That is different.  Talk to galleries about what they show online. Galleries can show clients high res images if they are interested in a purchase. If you are on online art galleries, think how your work is being shown.

3) Try not to get stressed if this happens to you. Its' happening to so many artists but together we need to unite and support each other in any way we can.

4) Don't immediately think about copyright lawyers. For scams the cost may get you nowhere. Check what you are dealing with before you even go down that route.

 Please add your advise or opinion to this blog post  too. 

Out of interest an Australian company was using my hare paintings on merchandise without my permission recently. They removed my art, black listed their suppier and all sales were cancelled. I appreciate their professional action and their apology. There can be results. And they won't all involve payment or reimbursement. But at least that was a successful outcome.

But back to this web site.

I am not going to link you to the web site personally as this woiuld mean that  I too will be advertising them.

However this is a link to a great blog by Jackie Morris.  I like her approach. And as it happens she is a fabulous artist. And thanks to this scam we are now connected. So maybe there is a positive out of a negative.

http://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/blog/

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What do you think? And have you any advise?

One artist has suggested contacting Google to report the site as a phishing scam

This is a link in case you as an artist feel it may be useful to you.

https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/106318?rd=1 

If you art is on the web site you can contact their web provider via this link

http://www.enom.com/help/AbusePolicy.aspx 

Or contact their web provider openly on facebook to complain via this link 

 https://www.facebook.com/eNomCom?fref=ts

Also you can look up the copying web sites' Facebook page. Then make a complaint by reporting their page on facebook if they have copied/used your intellectual property.  

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USA Watercolour Workshops 2016

Jean Haines World of Watercolour

Released June 2015 

Available from Amazon.com and Art Suppliers

Jean Haines  USA Watercolour and Book signing Tour 2016

I have been really busy working on my upcoming tours and believe it or not I am currently working through wonderful Art Society invitations booking me through to 2018.

The following locations are confirmed for next year.  Others will be added soon.

 Spring  2016

 Seattle , Daniel Smith Head Office FULLY BOOKED

Oregon  

Vancouver

Autumn 2016 

Dallas, Texas

Sonoma, California

 Please note : Details will only be released once hosting Art Society members have had a chance to book places.

************* 

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me  requesting workshops in USA locations. I am  now connecting with the most incredible Art Societies who so warmly welcome me with such professionalism. I hope to give every single artist attending my workshops as much personal attention as possible on my courses and aim to have everyone leaving highly motivated, enthused and inspired.

As I am always working on my schedule please don't hesitate to contact me if your Art Society would like to be added to my future tours. I work well in advance so I look forward to hearing from you.

Jean.

 

Seattle Workshops 2016 FULLY BOOKED

Pages from the release of the new edition of "Colour and Light in Watercolour" 

Available in a collectors hard back edition and soft back : November 2015 

Seattle Workshops 2016

FULLY BOOKED 

Within days of the dates being released for my Seattle workshops in 2016 they were all fully booked. This was with my adding an extra workshop to accomodate the waiting list of artists wanting to get a place.

I really am so sorry to everyone who couldn't get in but I know names will be held in case of cancellations next year. Thank you to everyone who booked a place so promptly.

I will be in Vancouver and Oregon in March 2016 also  whilst on tour but these locations as yet are not open to booking. Once details are confirmed I will share the news.  

My next blog post will be an update on my USA 2016 workshops. 

Learning About. Shadows

 Violet Shadows. 

Photograph taken in my garden this afternoon clearly showing there is colour in a shadow

When I first started painting in watercolour I could never understand why artists often painted shadows in a violet shade. It puzzled me. I would look and look but could only see dull grey shadows. And when I observed their paintings with colourful shadow work I would be charmed by the colours they used but still amazed at the artists' choice.

Of course I have grown a lot since that time and now I too paint colourful shadows.  But the memory of my early days as an artist came flooding back this afternoon. I was sat quietly painting phlox in my cottage garden.Enjoying the sunshine and listening to the buzzing of the bees. I have a small trick I use for seeing where darks would work on my floral paintings. I place my first wash of my painting next to the real plant and look at how the shadows naturally fall.  Try it. Its' such a simple technique to use if the sun is shining and you are painting outside.

But whilst I placed my paper against one plant to look for colour placement a gorgeous violet  shadow appeared and I knew it would be perfect to share on my blog. So if you look at the photograph above you can clearly see beautiful violet shadows. Notice too how the shadow is lighter at the top  to the foot of the paper. So nature is guiding me on where and how to use a shadow or bolder colour. Fascinating isn't it?

Another trick for a sunny day. 

Paint a couple of salt washes and leave them outside in the sun to dry. You will get fabulous effects. I have painted using colours left over on my palette before cleaning it. Naughty I know. I prefer clean fresh colours but the softness of the shades left were far too unique to ignore or waste.The result is below. And you can see I have started painting a rough outline of where the phlox flowers will sit inside the salt wash. I am using the beautiful salt pattern that is already there to bring the flowers to life. These patterns are guiding me on how to proceed.

 Salt patterns forming the base for a painting of phlox flowers .

"I am having so much fun. I'm like a child in a candy store only constantly looking to see what I can paint next! "

The half finished paintings already on my easel inspired me to continue with this theme of working with the white flowers in my garden. I must confess, time passes by so very quickly so unless I paint these while they are at their best they will fade as blooms and I will miss the opportunity.

Phlox paintings on my easel

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Artists tips for the day?

Learn from nature as often as possible

Look for colour in shadows.

Paint what you can, when you can and when you feel like it.

And most importantly

Make the most of every single day!

New Book : Colour and Light in Watercolour 2015

 Colour and Light in Watercolour

Jean Haines Colour and Light in Watercolour

New Edition 

Following hot on the heels of my latest book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour"  is the new edition of my first book "How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour". I was over the moon when my publishers asked me some time ago if I would consider a new edition of my first book. They explained to me that although my first book was initially released in a series it had stood out in its own right and popularity. To the point that they felt it should have a life of its' own as a stand alone book. I am new as an author so at first was unsure but then realised this was the perfect opportunity to breath new life into my very first publication as I would be given more space to add new demonstrations and give my first book the updated information to bring it in line with how I paint now. I have grown so much since writing this publication so to have the opportunity to add to it was marvellous. And I am so lucky to be with such a great publisher who knew this was much needed.

 The original version of "How To Paint Colour and Light"

  The original version of "How To Paint Colour and Light" has now gone to reprint for the very last time. Copies are still available currently on Amazon.com and from book stores but once the last copy has been sold that will be it.  And I loved this book. It was my first leap into being an author. But I knew I had tried to cram too much into it. There was never enough room in it for the illustrations I wanted to share or the text to accompany them as the pages were limited in number. This was to fit in with the series.  I had strict guidelines to follow on how many pages there would be, the format was set and the lay out. Even so, I tried to ooze my own personality into this publication and did so. So  successfully that my two recent books followed because of it and they have become best sellers worldwide, much to my surprise and delight.  And I am surprised to the point of being bowled over. 

You see, I am well aware that there are zillions of talented artists in the world so I find it very humbling as an experience to share my passion for painting and then discover readers and artists all over the world like what I am sharing. Believe it or not, It is very belittling to exist in such a vast art world and feel as though you are a tiny dot in the artistic universe, then frighteningly understand that you have actually been noticed by someone, especially if they are on the other side of the globe. 

Trust me, at times I really cannot believe the messages I read telling me my words and paintings are enjoyed so much. And I never wish to change or take this  euphoric feeling for granted.  

I work hard when I write so changes to the first edition had to be thought out carefully so as not to repeat or duplicate what was in my other books and I had to work in a way to enhance this new edition, not detract from its' already existing popularity. This was a daunting project to take on. I believ if anything is worth doing it has to be done well so this wouldn't be a half hearted attempt at expanding a book. It had to read beautifully and be fascinating at the same time. 

 Gone to print for the very last time

I worked carefully through each chapter and also took on board questions I have been asked like how do I use my brushes. How do I glaze? That is layer with colour over whole paintings. How I have grown as an artist easily is highlighted. And yet again I share my discoveries and ideas on learning and growing in each page.

I delighted in sharing demonstrations on new subjects like the step by step in a sailing scene. I loved showing how to paint the same subject in different ways stretching our imagination. And I love that this new verison, along with my other two books will form a terrific library on watercolour that will help readers to grow as artists and love painting as much as I do.

Sailing Step by Step demonstration from my new book out this November.

But before anyone considers buying a copy can I explain there is even more good news. Many of my followers enjoy hard back books. But this  publication was initially a paperback.  So, this will be a very special book in that it will be available in two formats. My wonderful publishers have decided to print a special collectors edition in a hard back version and also a soft back. 

So if you like my books and wish to buy thsi new edition please consider which version you would like best.  Although one artist has already informed me that they are buying both versions. One for the coffee table and one to use to paint from so that it can get splattered with colour, free from worry of damaging it!

Not many art authors get the opportunity to release two new books in one year. I must be living some kind of wonderful dream. And between you and me, I honestly never want to wake up!

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Can I thank everyone who has bought copies of my books. You probably have no idea how happy this makes me, sharing my love of art ,but without people like you I wouldn't be able to do so.

So a huge

THANK YOU

From a very grateful and happy artist.

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Seattle : Daniel Smith March 2016

Seattle Watercolour Workshops

Hosted by Daniel Smith

March 2016

I am thrilled to share the news that I will be returning to Seattle In March 2016 where Daniel Smith will be hosting my USA Spring workshops. I say thrilled because this is such a fantastic location. In store, so that artists can buy any colours  they wish to just like being a child in a candy store. Me included!

I cannot talk highly enough of my time teaching with Daniel Smith this year so I am over the moon to be invited back. I will also be giving an instore demonstration and talk at a book signing event.

My 2015 workshops sold out very quickly and I have to admit, one out of the three 2016 workshops has already sold out before I even had a chance to announce my return.

For full details if you wish to attend please contact me on 

jeanhaines@hotmail.com

On another note, it appears my 2016 workshops in Vancouver may now not be going ahead as there was a problem with the venue. As soon as I hear anything I will let you know. If anyone has any contacts in Vancouver who could host workshops please do get in touch with me as it isn't too late to arrange the sessions.

Roll on 2016!

Beautiful Negativity

Phlox, Summer flowers on my easel

Painted in my garden this afternoon

Goodness Summer is passing so quickly. We have had wonderful friends from Hong Kong staying with us ,bringing back wonderful memories of our time living there. As the weather has been brilliant we have had fabulous meals in the garden with groups of friends we have known for some time. There comes a point when you need to walk away from what you are continually doing to take a break because doing so is good for the soul. In my case I have been working flat out on two literary projects, three gallery exhibitions and planning my USA tours for 2016/2017.

In August I will be filming a new DVD with Townhouse Films and we have been discussing the timing of it as this film will be created in my own home.  I have a zillion emails to reply to as well but outside my studio at the moment are  beautifully scented phlox, standing tall and white above the other flowers in our cottage garden. It was no use. By this afternoon I could resist them no longer and I set to work painting them.

I started by creating a negative outline around the shape of the clusters of white flowers. I worked with Daniel Smith greens and Cadmium Yellow to give me the warmth of a Summers day.

 First Wash of Phlox 

Cascading Greens give a wonderful backdrop to these beautiful white flowers

Next I defined the shape of each small flower in the clusters. I made a mental note to ensure that not all flowers faced me as they do not on the plant. They circle around the stem.I added depth behind some small blossoms and allowed others to be hit by sunlight.

 Adding detail to the flower shapes corrects the first washes' quick, loose impression

The phlox in my garden are standing in front of orange dahlia but I decided to stay with a peaceful green background in my paintings.

Phlox in my garden.

I strongly believe painting what we want to paint and when we want to paint it gives us far better results. This is a far more enjoyable way of working than than slaving away on a project you are not happy with. And oh boy am I happy!

Again I can't wait for tomorrow to continue in my studio or to be painting in my garden. Life as an artist is so good. So rewarding and so enriching because you see the beauty nature has to offer so often. Beauty I think I would casually dismiss if I wasn't drawn to painting it!

Happy Painting!

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