Vancouver Watercolour Workshops 2016

This  is where I will be teaching in Vancouver this week . My 2016 watercolour workshops here are sold out but do check out the web site for information on the great artists who are also teaching at this fabulous location. I will share more later but for now please look at this link.

http://artescapesyvr.com/jean-haines/

Vancouver Watercolour Workshops 2016

I have arrived in Vancouver ahead of my 2016 Watercolour Workshops here and I am raring to go. After a week of filming, which was wonderful, I'm so eager to get painting that tomorrow, the first of my three workshops in Canada can't come soon enough!

These workshops were sold out very quickly and a waiting list is in place for any cancellations. I have really exciting techniques and colour ideas to share and Im hoping every single artist who attends is going to leave feeling 100% inspired and motivated .

Today is my first free day minus any travelling for a while so I'm going to enjoy a little of this fabulous city before heading to the studio to meet the organiser of this exciting art event and see the venue I will be teaching in.

A very fabulous week is looming and oh boy am I ready to paint, share, have fun and meet great people!

Roll on tomorrow! 

Filming for Artists Network TV 2016

Hi there,

My blog has fallen quiet as I have spent the last week in Cincinnati filming for Artists Network TV.  It's been such a long time since the initial kind invitation to create DVDs with this incredible art network. When I received the first invitation ages ago my diary was so full that I couldn't fit in one more commitment even though I really was eager to do so. As it happened my Spring USA 2016 tour allowed me to add a visit to Cincinnatti and I spent a week at the studio filming.

The experience was terrific which is a huge relief as when you agree to a project and then fly to the location if things hadn't been what I was expecting there could have been a problem. I have to admit I'm a hard worker and a perfectionist. I love teaching and sharing my techniques. But every single person I share for is vitally important to me. How they enjoy and understand the information I freely give is my main concern.

And so I arrived at the filming studio with slight hesitation which quickly dispersed as from the minute I entered the building I knew I was in the hands of professionals. The set was great and the team I was working with were fantastic. And they would need to be as my style and brush strokes to capture on film  can be very fast at times. I can honestly say I'm really looking forward to seeing these four films.

One is based on "Jean Haines World of Watercolour" and has many workout tips. You can see clearly how much water I use and how I learn and grow as an artist by my daily warm up exercises. Another film is purely animals. I show steps on how to build up a painting of any animal minus the use of a preliminary sketch. I show how to measure and how to paint eyes.and discuss how to know when to stop! The next film is painting flowers and it's really a lovely one. Follow my demonstrations that collectively lead you into painting flowers in a way that brings you superbly unique results. Finally I filmed from my new book "Paint Youself Calm". My word, after a weeks filming and the flights to get to this destination found me loving each brushstroke. It truly is a gorgeous film that will help you de stress via colour and brushwork. I loved filming each one as the camera team seemed to be on the ball at capturing each pigment interaction so beautifully.

And I didn't only create four DVDs,  I was also filmed giving short five minute clips sharing gorgeous tips for everyone to enjoy.

Each day at the studio I met wonderful people from various art magazines and networks who came to meet me for lunch and the time passed far too quickly.

You will be able to find these films on Northlightshop.com and read about them on Artists Network TV. They will be available from June this year and I can't wait t see them.

Sometimes when I'm asked to do things and my free time is limited I seriously have to consider how I can physically fit any more into my somewhat full life. For example the week before last I was in Paris, London and New York in one week alone. But I have to say Im delighted I said yes to this invitation and I hope you will be too when you see each new film.

Now I'm n Vancouver preparing for my workshops here. My first time visiting and teaching in Canada. As usual, I can't wait! 

Are you Afraid of the Dark?

Are you afraid of the dark? This is a feature I wrote a while ago that I enjoyed reading again this morning so thought I'd share it in my blog!

http://www.artistdaily.com/blogs/the-artists-life/afraid-of-the-dark?et_mid=823800&rid=236383139&utm_source=wir&utm_campaign=ad-cdh-wir-160305-cja&utm_content=823800_ANR160227&utm_medium=email

Paris Inspiration 2016

Statue from Paris

No preliminary sketch

I have been away in Paris for a few days and as always absolutely adored being there. I love travelling which is just as well as I seem to do so, very often these days!

During our stay we visited a fantastic market that was full of many treasures from antiques, vintage clothing, jewellery, art and garden furniture. I fell in love with two rather stunning statues. The pair caught my eye and looked outstanding as decor in a shop front as we turned a corner. I just had to paint one this afternoon whilst the memory is still very much in my mind. While I painted this piece a few tips crossed my mind that I would like to share with readers of my blog.

1) Do constantly try visiting new places for inspiration. They don't have to be a flight away. Many treasures are right on our own doorsteps but we miss them by not taking the time to see them. Visit a museum, garden, art exhibition, a market or interesting shops. Look for intriguing colour combinations and new subjects to paint in each place you go. Even a supermarket can hold fabulous tempting subjects to paint if you keep your imagaintion and eyes wide open. 

See through the eyes of an " artist"

2) This is a big issue for me. Don't paint only what you know you can paint!  Try to paint something new at least once a month. You will never learn or improve your skills as an artist if you keep repeating the same thing over and over again just because you are sat in your comfort zone. Leap out of it now and then!

Leap out of your comfort zone! 

3) Take a break from painting to renew your artist souls now and then. Because sometimes what slows our skills down is the fact we aren't taking a rest from painting to think about what we want to achieve. Plan ahead how to improve your painting time and your painting results by thinking about just that!

Take a Break

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Wisteria in Watercolour 2016

Wisteria Coming to Life in Watercolour

I tend to dance from subject to subject with my brushes. Yesterday and today I have been painting Wisteria and I have felt in heaven whilst doing so purely because of the soft beauty of the flowers which are delightful to capture in watercolour. A medium that lends itself so wonderfully to creating magical atmosphere.

I begin with a soft wash using colours that I feel suit my subject. There needs to be a feeling of life and energy from the very beginning of a painting to create these floral scenes. I am aware if I touched the flowers in reality they would seem very light between my fingers. And so I keep my brushwork light too and I am convinced this helps which goes back to my Asian training  of how to use my brushes.

When you feel at one with what you are creating an amazing feeling takes over you, one of peace and calm.

I do wish I could bottle thsi feeling because it truly is so wonderful.

But back to painting for me.

I will be offline until next Monday so my blog may go a little quiet.

I will be gaining inspiration in Paris for a few days. 

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Venice in Watercolour 2016

  

 Venice on my Easel

A work in progress

 Having shared the small study of my idea recently to paint a scene from Venice I thought I would share the stages of the larger painting. Someone mentioned on my Jean Haines Watercolour Facebook page that this looked difficult. To be honest at first it might be but once you get used to working in my style you can adapt it to any subject at all. Including landscapes and architecture.

Stage 1. A Wash

For paintings of this kind I always start with a soft atmospheric wash. I choose colours that will help my finished painting sing with life. So they may not be exactly true to what I see, more likely they will be glowing colours that add to the beauty of my vision.

There is no preliminary sketch. Just my placing colour where I feel it works best for detail to be added to at a later stage.

 

 First soft wash.

 

Stage 2. Finding a Starting Point

 I need to find a starting point. You can easily imagine where this might be when it comes to painting animals.With them you might start with the eye or nose. But with buildings I usually find a section in the composition that appeals to me and work from there.

This is a complex scene so I have painted a few lines to give me a great base to work from and to give consistency to the piece in form.

 Lines added and hints of statues and windows.

Stage 3. Adding block of colour 

Next I add shapes.  Simple beautiful and odd shaped shapes! These will act as the base for my more intricate detail to be added as the painting develops.

 Adding painted shapes.

Stage 4 Adding Intricate Detail 

Now I take my time. I don't want to add too much detail, I don't want to add too little. I paint half a door, half a window, maybe all a statue in places only to be softened with water to create atmosphere.

This is all about personal taste. To some viewers the painting is complete long before this point. To others this needs far more information to be complete. The most important point is that I loved painting it and may continue to add tiny brushwork over the next few days.

Its' full of atmosphere at the moment. Time will tell when it is finished and I listen to my artwork. believe it or not it always tells me what to do next or when to stop. This isn't saying stop just yet!

 Or is it?

 Venice on my easel

A work in progress

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You can discover more about my watercolour techniques in each of my books available on Amazon.com

"I'm Alright Jack" Jack Russell Terrier in WAtercolour

"I'm Alright Jack"

Jack Russell Terrier in Watercolour

I have never known a miserable Jack Russell.  Our neighbour has two and the carer for the venue where I teach my watercolour courses in UK has two. As dogs they are bundles of energy and full of life. I love the sparkle in their eyes and the way they are constantly looking for something exciting to do.

I don't think I could manage owning one as I feel they need extra long walks than I can't offer but I absolutely adore them.

I have a painting of one in my mind but at the moment have no resource image to work from so I think I may have to make it up. But the resource image for the above photo, although artistically changed from the original was kindly forwarded to me by a friend on Facebook when I mentioned what I was looking for. In fact by mentioning I am looking for interesting images of dogs I was instantly and fabulously inundated with wonderful photographs so I think I may have dog models for a long time ahead of me. Beautiful ones.

Now I am really back in my studio and loving painting non stop. Experimenting for my new exhibition collection and this years workshops. I know everyone coming on my courses this year will have a really fantastic time as I am totally on a high. So be warned if you have managed to book a place. We are going to have fun!!

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UK and USA workshops 2016

Please don't be put off by my fully booked workshops. There are often unexpected cancellations due to life's hiccups and sometimes even from a waiting list you can still get a place. So please email me on jeanhaines@hotmail.com . 

There are a few places in Lake Tahoe, October 2016 and a new UK workshop literally has just opened.

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Daffodils in Watercolour 2016

Daffodil Dance

Daffodils coming to life in stunning vibrant yellow shades. 

I have decided nothing beats the feeling of working with simple Cadmium Yellow.  I can experiment all I like with every single new shade of yellow under the sun by a large number of watercolour manufacturers but when it comes to painting daffodils Cadmium Yellow seems to be the reigning champion for me.

Its' bold, strong and says exactly what I want to say by my just creating abstract shapes which can be added to with green foliage and hints of orangein places for extra warmth.

Now is the time to paint Spring flowers in UK and I am having a blast!

I started this morning going through my treasure chest of watercolour tubes. Many given to me on my travels. I am having a Spring clean in my studio and it feels wonderful. So over the next few blog posts there may be some old favourites and some new colours being mentioned.

 

Watch this space!

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Venice in Watercolour 2016

Study in Light

Venice

It is impossible not to love painting Venice, especially when you work in watercolour as I do. 

This afternoon the weather is so awful here in UK that I needed to paint something light and with a feeling of strong sunlight. The opportunity to escape via the stroke of a brush is a magical feeling that I wish everyone possessed.

The above study was sheer joy to create. I have worked mainly in turquoise and gold with hints of violet. Using water far more than pigment gives the study an atmospheric ethereal appearance.

Now to paint a larger piece which I will enjoy, not race.

My solo exhibition " A Brush with a Woman" will be including a variety of subjects and this may be one of them.

I feel so happy when I am painting. As if I fall into another world. One full of beauty which tends to flow into the way I see life.

Beautiful.

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A Brush with a Woman : Solo Exhibition 2016 and Exclusive Watercolour Workshop

 "Just Resting"

Bearded Collie in Watercolour

 

 "A BRUSH WITH A WOMAN"

 SOLO EXHIBITION  

from 23rd September 2016

Private View: FRIDAY 23rd from 6.00pm - 8.30pm

 

An exciting solo exhibition showcasing original watercolours by Jean Haines. This fabulous new collection includes well loved favourite subjects such as wildlife, pets, horse racing, florals and many surprises. As always with Jean's exhibitions early viewng by collectors is advised to avoid disappointment. 

To be held at

 

 

WINDRUSH GALLERY 

 Windrush House, 

Windrush, 

Nr Burford, 

Oxon 

OX18 4TU

Tel No. 01451 844425

 

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Exclusive Watercolour Workshop 

at Windrush Gallery on  

FRIDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER 2016

10am - 4.00pm. 

( Maximum 10 course members )

Including lunch in the dining room. The day concludes with home-made cake and tea at 4.00.

Course Price: £115

 A workshop for a small group to add to the more personal approach of Jeans' unique teaching style. This will be a day to remember so please book early to ensure a place!

 Tel No. 01451 844425

 

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Charity Coffee Morning and Artist's Talk 

on Saturday 24th September 2016

11.00 am

in Windrush Village Hall

 

A look into Jeans' incredible art career,  inspirational artwork, a more personal look behind the journey and an insight into how painting can enrich our lives. 

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Bearded Collie in Watercolour

"Sleepyhead"

 Bearded Collie in Watercolour 

( Copyright Strictly Jean Haines )

I'm working on a new collection for an exhibition later this year and as my mind is set on painting animals in watercolour for my new films this month I couldn't resist painting my own dog Bailey this afternoon.

This is a work in progress but it is nearly complete. 

This painting is such a joy to work on because I am painting my own pet, knowing his character and his poses. I love how his one eye is open watching me when I took the original photo. He was half asleep but at the same time didn't want to miss out on anything that might be about to happen.

I will have some beautiful new work available later this year for a solo show. 

For now I will keep painting happily and sharing. I always paint at my best when I am happy and right now I am ecstatically happy!

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Please note: If I add these words after a painting it means the piece is from an exhibition collection and not for copying

( Copyright Strictly Jean Haines )

"Together" Elephants in Watercolour 2016

"Together"

Elephants in watercolour

Copyright Jean Haines

I am currently working on a programme for four new films which will be released later this year. One is solely about how to paint animals in watercolour and will include dynamic techniques to bring animals to life via brushwork and interesting colour combinations.

I adore painting animals. I always have ever since I was a small child. As much as I love painting pets I must confess when I begin to paint widlife my heart leaps into another direction altogether as I feel for the plight of so many in this world. Who would have thought that in 2016 there would still be outdated fox hunting in UK for example, where people dress up in period costume to enjoy a day terrorising an animal which at the end of a horrific chase to exhaustion gets killed by a pack of hounds. 

How can we as a country condemn others acts of slaughter in the world when we allow this on our own doorstep? I hate hearing about poaching of elephants. I hate how their tusks are seen as a valued  treasure worh killing for.. I hate how animals parts are used for old fashioned beliefs such as their having medicinal qualities.

Who would have thought that so many acts of cruelty by now wouldn't have been a thing of the past?

Who would have thought that some humans still know no better?

So my wildlife paintings are truly emotional in that my love for them pours into each brushstroke.

Back to painting for me!

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Leaping Into Spring 2016

 Daffodils on my easel waiting to be completed.

Well, the dogs in watercolour took a back seat today as I couldn't resist working in yellow!

I took Bailey for a walk this morning and daffodils are blooming everywhere. As I returned home looking at the rather grey sky I just knew what I would be painting. Bright cheerful yellow always lifts my spirits! And of course I adore daffodils.

 I have two new washes on the go at the moment. 

Wash 1.

Random yellow and green placement. I am selecting sections to bring the shapes of each flower to life within the wash.

  

Wash 2.

 Colours allowed to merge together with a slightly bolder choice of pigment for contrast, adding violet for depth in the foliage.

Roll on tomorrow as these will be delightful to look at when I first walk into my studio tomorrow morning!

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Weimarana in Watercolour 2016

Weimarana in Watercolour 2016

It is definitely a dog day in my studio as I desperately try to decide which breed will feature in my new film on how to paint animals in watercolour.

I adored painting the little terrier and have moved on to a weimaraner. Both are in the early stages of soft watercolour and on my easel waiting for the final details to be added. Neither painting need too much  in the way of completing.

Perhaps I should paint a long haired or fluffy dog next.

This really is so much fun!

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Monday: That White Piece of Paper

Beautiful terrier coming to life on my easel

I really love Mondays!

I know many people seem to dread Monday but to me it is the best day of the week. And I am so excited because I leave for my USA tour at the end of this month. And I have a secret to share because I am useless at keeping secrets so please never ever tell me one! I will be filming whilst I am on tour so you will be able to see me create all kinds of subjects from flowers to animals later this year.

I am currently working on my programme of filming for a whole week. My main problem is that I have so many favourite subjects to choose from to share my techniques that I am torn on what I can and cannot include. But I will be sharing as many subjects as possible.

At the same time I am being asked for new work especially for new dog paintings in watercolour which is a great coincidence as I am working on a beautiful new collection of animals at the moment. 

This morning I began a gorgeous painting of a dog in watercolour. The sun is shining and the birds are singing outside my studio window. It feels like heaven on earth watching pure colour flow so simply to create this particular beautiful pet portrait.

Whatever you are doing, I hope you have a great week ahead and I hope your colours are flowing too!

Beautiful terrier coming to life on my easel, adding more detail and hint of the body.