Watercolours With Life: Never Give Up

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Never Give Up

"Violets Too"

Copyright Jean Haines

I loved painting the violet gift I was given yesterday. So much so that I started my day by painting another version of the same piece. My wonderful friend Christine had shown me two varieties of violets in her garden. The darker, more domesticated variety which is larger than the pale wild little violets that grow on the countryside verges around here.

These smaller violets are a more delicate hue and quite complex to paint with their tiny petals.

Today I looked again at what I had painted yesterday and attempted the same painting with the pale little wild violets as my subject. I loved what happened as soon as this little study appeared on paper. With very little effort my subject was there. Minus pencil lines. Minus all the little details. This is a vase of violets. It is far more delicate than yesterdays' painting and I love it. I don't think you can get the real feel of this piece on line but off screen it is gorgeous.

It made me think about all my workshops this year and some things I kept repeating when teaching my classes.

1) Don't always try too hard.

2) Over thinking can kill a painting.

3) Never give up!

In my relaxed state this morning a natural painting occurred of a simple little flower and a new memory was created of a fabulous painting day.

Whatever you are working on, enjoy it, relax and let the colours flow to tell the story simply and beautifully.

Happy painting!

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2 comments:

Unknown said...: I love this version of the violets so much more than the first. It's very evocative.; 13 April 2017 at 06:33
Bright Road said...: Oh, these are wonderful! !; 17 April 2017 at 00:14

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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."