"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 Who would have thought that in 2016 there would still be outdated fox hunting in UK for example, where people dress up in period costume to enjoy a day terrorising an animal which at the end of a horrific chase to exhaustion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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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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Never Forget

"Never Forget"

Elephant in Watercolour

No preliminary sketch.

I love wildlife. I always have and my heart is often  broken by news of unnecessary cruelty. This morning I watched a recording of an amazing programme called " Animals in Love". During the programme there was an incredible story about a herd of elephants who never forgot the man who had helped them. On the day that he passed away the herd  walked to his home and stood in silence outside for two days. From then on they made an annual pilgrimage to his home on the exact day of his death to stand silently. Could this be a coincidence? Or do elephants possess the ability to store memories and carry emotions. I believe they do.

Cruel acts by poachers for the ivory trade are effecting these gentle giants. How can their evil trade be stopped?

To close my studio painting session today I decided to paint an elephant. And the minute it started coming to life my heart ached. I don't feel this painting belongs to me. So I will look into having cards printed to raise funds for a wildlife charity that can help elephants. And donate the painting.

Sometimes as an artist, the action of creating is much more than for the pleasure  of painting alone or personal gain. Sometimes we can achieve far more by giving a finished piece away or by donating it to charity.

This is such a piece.

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A Touch of Turquoise : Winsor & Newton Watercolours

A "Touch of Turquoise" adding drama to an "elephant" in  watercolour

I read a wonderful email from an artist who loves my work, explaining one of the reasons why is because they "expect the unexpeced" from me. A lovely compliment.  I do love to opt for  the unexpected way of painting favourite subjects and I constantly search for something new in my approach.  Although, sometimes, I do re-visit past techniques as if  I am visiting old friends.

Readers of my first book " How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolours" may remember my painting of elephants with a touch of turquoise on a mainly  warm golden backdrop. The stunning blue added impact and drama. It is a fantastic technique to add a touch of the unexpected to a familar subject. I opt for strong contrasts when using this technique and it always  works for me.

I have Spring exhibitions coming up so I am currently painting a new watercolour collection. I have been incredibly inspired by the latest chapters of my new book that I am loving working on. I also have my annual " Beating the Blues" workshop next month which is always one of my most exciting and challenging. I am already excited at the thought of what is to come in February. What a great way to feel at the start of the year!

If you are looking for an exciting turquoise shade to experiment with I highly recommend "Cobalt Turquoise Light " by Winsor & Newton. It is a superb pigment that works fabulously on so many subjects. Definitely a  "must have " shade for your palette!

Copies of my first book are available on Amazon.com and from leading art book stockists.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Colour-Light-Water-How-Paint/dp/1844484882