Watercolours With Life: Cornflowers in Watercolour

Monday, 1 August 2016

Simplify ! Cornflowers in Watercolour

"Simply Blue"

Cornflowers in Watercolour

For the last two weeks I have been teaching watercolour workshops in UK. And one point really hit me. So many artists on my courses spend so much time putting so much detail in their work and yet their main goal is to work in a loose style.

My main word that I keep repeating in classes is this

Simplify!

I lose so much detail when I paint. There is a fine line between a painting being far too abstract with not enough information in it or being far too tight, where far too much information is included in it.

Artist tips for painting in a loose style.

Try to lose half the subject

Only put in detail that makes the subject visible.

Don't distract from the subjects beauty once the subject is clearly seen.

Use definitive brushwork

Make great use of soft and hard edges

Soften hard lines in places.

Keep your work fresh

Allow the paper to shine through the pigment so that your work looks like a watercolour.

And most importantly smile! If you love what you are creating others will too!

Simplify!

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Saturday, 15 June 2013

Cornflowers in Watercolour

Cornflowers from my garden coming to life in watercolour

Every day I have watched a wonderful clump of cornflowers in my garden grow and shine in sunlight with their glorious almost violet colouring. I couldn't resist starting my painting day with a quick study of them. They are soft and delicate, so perfect as a subject to calmly move my way into painting subjects that are a little more lively.

I do find working from life rather than photographs improves my eye with colour matching. And painting something completely new each day keeps my enthusiasm very high!

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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."