Watercolours With Life: When The Cold Wind Blows : Experimental Watercolour 2017

Monday, 4 September 2017

When The Cold Wind Blows : Experimental Watercolour 2017

"When The Cold Wind Blows"

With all the excitement of my exhibition opening this past weekend I was looking forward to being in my studio again this morning. I worked on my new book and as the day drew to a close I continued with my experimental journey in watercolour. Each time I try something completely new there is an excitement within my soul that cannot be described. I have barely left my easel as colour after colour, new technique after new technique emerged and I am thrilled with the results from the session which saw me try just about everything on several new paintings.

I am hit by how suddenly the weather in UK has changed taking us from the warmth of Summer into what should be a glorious Autumn. But the sky today has been grey and dull instead. Queens Anne's Lace adorns the canal banks where I often stroll in the early evenings near our home. It won't be long before the nights are darker and that is what influenced my experiments this afternoon.

I often wonder how dark can you go with watercolour and still have a good result. With colour obviously shining rather than being muddy in appearance. Below French Ultramarine and Indigo give dark blue for a night sky. Whilst white paper and violet bring the structural shapes to life of the plants in the foreground.

Structural shapes of Winter bring me exciting results in a watercolour composition

Cobalt Turquoise was stunning as a backdrop for my darker shades. Using a water spray bottle gained fabulous soft effects as colours merged on paper, not in my palette. I don't use masking fluid as that leaves me with white paper restricting movement of the very pigments I love so much in action.

Exciting patterns achieved by many experiments that led to this way of working.

I have a year ahead of wonderful workshops to look forward to, a new book to complete, filming in USA at the beginning of 2018 and an offer of yet another new book once this one is completed. Life is good but all I want to do really is paint.

And experiment, which will take my mind off the cooler weather!

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

2 comments:

Barbara said...: The darks worked. They look vibrant and mysterious.; 4 September 2017 at 18:38
davkfmn said...: Thank You again for sharing Your inspirational & passionate work

Hope all is well

Dave; 5 September 2017 at 04:10

Post a Comment

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."