Freedom 2018 ; Foxgloves

"Fairy gloves"

Foxglove flowers in watercolour

Oh my goodness I am having a ball in my studio at the moment . I give so much time to teaching,filming, exhibiting and writing that over the years my own freedom to paint has diminished in that I grasp any moments I can between commitments and deadlines. To paint just for me in a way that frees my soul. Right now I have another full week ahead where I can paint in the quiet space of my studio and then after that  I start teaching in UK. As my workshops here begin on 3rd April 2018.

But there is a yearning inside of me and I can't explain it. Something is happening to my style and my passion for experimentation in a way that won't let me sit still for a second. I sleep seeing how I can add colours to make stronger patterns in my backgrounds. And I wake eager to try new ideas.

The fairy glove flowers ,or foxgloves as you may know them, above was an old painting that I hadn't finished. It was very quiet and subtle in colour originally. But these real flowers were the ones that fascinated me as a child. I saw them as magical as I had been told they were fairy gloves. Or fairy mittens. I used to think that the fairies must have had larger hands than I first imagined as these flower shapes were so big for tiny little beings. How strange that the memory still plays on my mind whenever I see these flowers. But I do think of fairy gloves as very magical flowers and my original painting didn't do that magic justice.

To improve it, first I played with the foreground adding texture and drama. Then I allowed light and movement to dance on the flowers themselves.

Is it finished? 

Not quite but I like showing my work in progress so anyone following my blog can see what I am up to.

We all change over time. And we grow in so many ways if we are open to new ideas. 

I am. 

I dread the thought of ever being stuck in a rut so I am using new colours, new products and exciting techniques to make the start of 2018 a brilliant one.

To be honest. I must confess I am reading through my new book and listening to myself. Yes we should all strive to be unique as artists and aim for something new when we create rather than always painting what we know and how we know it. Who knew that I would be inspiring "me" with this new book. But I am so glad I wrote it. I needed to read it and take all the tips and advise in!

But for now, back to painting!

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Foxgloves in Sunlight : Watercolour

 Foxgloves in sunlight

The foxgloves in our cottage garden this year have been incredible. Especially when the sun has been shining, which is rarely at the moment!  Even so I have several washes of foxgloves on the go. Above is a section of one painting in its' first wash stage. I love this section. Light is flooding into it. Glowing warmth is hitting the buds and blooms at the top of the flower stem. Its' so pretty as it highlights how gorgeous the foxgloves are from a profile view.

The cluster of foxgloves ,where I sat to paint this, growing in my garden look amazing in one particular flower bed. The group is captured in a larger painting which can be seen below. These flowers are quite interesting. I learned so much from observing them as my focus when painting foxgloves always seems to be on the dotted pattern inside each bell shape. But from this view I realised you couldn't even see any of these dots. There were just dark shadows in the inner flower bells that were clearly in view. So I could simplify and not add too much detail in this piece. Whic is yet to be completed.

 

 Full composition

Foxgloves in Sunlight

I am now sharing why I like painting from life, not from photographs. Compare the two paintings below. Both unfinished. One is painted in my garden. One from a photograph. Can you see how I was tempted to add darks and miss the natural light that is obvious in the lighter painting?

 Side by side : Foxglove paintings from life and a photograph.

The best advise I can give any new artist is to paint from life as much as possible. Study how colour is effected by sunlight and how shadows come into play in every single subject. Store all this wonderful information so that on rainy days or times when you cannot go outside to paint from life you will have an inner instinct, which has developed over time. So that you know how things can look much better when using light well in your art.

But now its time for me to paint again!

Have fun looking for light and capturing it in your paintings!

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Foxgloves in Watercolour : Adding Detail

 Adding Detail

Foxgloves in Watercolour

( Continued )

I thought it might be helpful to share how I add detail to my first washes of foxgloves.

I begin a painting with a lively first wash of the colours that I see. Yes, I did aim for a loose shape of foxglove flowers in these two washes. I painted tall spires of pink, added the little green buds at the top of each flower and then allowed colours to merge randomly, rather than try to control them.

I don't panic when my colours run all over the place. In fact I love it when this happens.

So initially I have a first wash like the image below. Loose, impressionistic and with very little detail

Foxgloves. Two paintings side by side on my easel at the first wash stage.

I allow these first washes to dry and when they are, I add details or in this case a few darks to give drama to the paintings.

The painting on the right has been worked on. 

By adding dark shapes to give the impression of inside the bell of each individual flower.

 I am loving how both pieces look at this stage. The loose wash on the left doesn't need as much definition as it almost looks like a fascinating abstract. The painting on the right will have some toothbrush splatter for the foxgloves dot markings and patterns. 

Painting is so enjoyable. And regardless of how busy I am I always find time to paint something just for me. Something that isn't intended to go into a book or a gallery. Something that merely makes my heart happy.

And these do just that.

Make my heart happy!

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Down Came The Rain : Foxgloves in Watercolour

 Foxgloves in Watercolour

My cottage garden is a delight at the moment. It is full of beautiful flowers all begging to be painted. The most gorgeous catching my attention are the tall foxgloves. And I know these will be very short lived  so I have to paint them while I can. Today the weather was against me so I gave up painting en plein air after a while. I had been  moving my easel inside my studio and out again in between showers. The easiest solution was to place my easel by my studio door and paint what I could see outside. Which luckily are tall fabulous foxgloves. But I have to admit.This isn't really luck. Knowing our English weather I now deliberately plant my favourite flowers to paint each year. In locations where I can see them from my studio for days such as these. Wet ones!

 Foxglove first wash. very little detail yet and even so, the shape of the flowers is already there giving hints of what this painting is to be.

I was thrilled to be asked so many times at Patchings Art Festival this year how I paint these beautiful flowers. And several art groups had to leave early missing my afternoon demonstrations. So I gave these wonderful artists little demonstrations in my own marquee. I think when someone has travelled a long way to see you it is vital to share what they came to see in colour, tips and my way of working.

 

 My easel is in my studio, with the door open , facing foxgloves outside flowering in my cottage garden.

Gazing at beauty is very relaxing. Trying to capture that very same beauty in a watercolour is also a very enjoyable feeling. When I paint I fall into a place of peaceful calm. It is just me, the beauty I see and this afternoon a few bumble bees who decided they too adored the flowers and my painting as several have tried to settle on my wet pigment. 

As always I have two paintings on the go.  Seen in the next image side by side.

 

 Side by side. Two first washes of foxgloves.

I  am currently writing my next book so my mind is full of wonderful ideas to share. I am being contacted by my 2015 USA locations regarding my Autumn Book Signing Tour also. And I have to plan my UK workshops for 2016. On top of this I have three gallery exhibitions to prepare for. One a beautiful solo show that will include art from my latest book. The Kingfisher and the Harvest mouse paintings I already know will be firm favourites to purchase. I will be sharing full details  on my blog in future posts.

But for now I am simply relaxing and painting foxgloves in watercolour. face with such beauty each day how I could I resist!

Foxgloves outside my studio and on my easel.

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P.S . Yes it IS that favourite  shade by the way. Daniel Smith Opera Pink!

Fascinating Foxgloves 2014

 Foxgloves 2014

Every year I discover wonderful new ways to paint favourite subjects. This year time spent working on my new book is inspiring me to a completely new level with my art. I am exploring colour, looking at ways to simplify the creative process so that readers of each chapter will  know what I am painting is achievable and at the same time I want  excitement in each painting for my own soul. My own personal artist satisfaction.

To me there is  absolutely no point in painting if you are being repetitive. I yearn for something new with each touch of my brush.  When I demonstrated at Patchings in the St Cuthbert Mill Marquee this year I loved how the audience enjoyed my adding darks to a first wash of soft foxgloves. Until that point the piece had looked pretty but lacked drama. And drama is exactly what I was aiming for on these new paintings of foxgloves. Drama, impact and the wow factor.

I am also using new colours to me and my current favourite is Daniel Smith Quinchridone Fuschia. It glows! I am experimenting with two ideas. Foxgloves in the darker section of my garden have inspired the depth in one painting whilst sunshine has influenced my way of working on the lighter piece. They are both fascinating to work on and I love the feeling of energy flowing in each painting.

 But the Daniel Smith Quinachridone Fuschia is so exciting to use that  I carried on with experimental washes. The image below is one I painted earlier this week. The watermarks in this piece and light effects are fabulous and it has also made me feel happy just by looking at it.

 Faerie Fantasy

There is so much to enjoy painting from life at this time of year and no better time to experiment with hot colours. By the way, I am currently writing a new feature for the Artist Magazine with a fantastic new competition. Prizes will be glorious Daniel Smith Watercolours so please start working with those reds and be ready to enter. 

 Foxglove Favour

I feel as though fairies could be hidden in this piece somewhere as it brings back childhood memories of my Grandfather telling me about them in his garden. This is almost finished but not quite.

Artist Tip : Don't keep putting off painting.  Just do it!

Patchings Demonstrations 2014 : Foxgloves in Watercolour : Exhibitions

 Foxgloves bursting into life on my easel. 

Painted purely with watercolour.

Saunders Waterford paper 300lbs Rough Surface.

After fully booked days of workshops last week, I was feeling absolutely desperate to paint in my garden today. I have so much to do with preparation for my demonstrations at Patchings Art Festival this week, but my heart is being tugged towards the gorgeous foxgloves in my garden. I am well aware that they may disappear whilst I am busily travelling around the country so I took the opportunity to paint some this morning. And wow, did they make me feel good! I am now fully energised and really looking forward to sharing my watercolour techniques in St Cuthbert Mill Marquee. I will be there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Everyone loved my approach to painting flowers that sing with colour, life and energy on my floral workshop last week so my enthusiasm is at an all time high. The sheer pleasure in putting colour on paper to find the shapes within my first wash was fantastic! I defy anyone to feel miserabe when using "Opera Pink" By Daniel Smith or " Opera Rose " by Winsor&Newton.  These vibrant shades  are amazing to work with.

I will be showing how I approach a variety of subjects whilst I am at Patchings so do come along and enjoy them if you can.

Outside my studio window I have the real thing,foxgloves towering over the rest of the flowers in this particular flower border. Giving me added inspiration and even more temptation to pick up my brushes.

Foxgloves in my garden

Patchings Art Festival 2014

Patchings Art Festival Demonstrations.

I will be sharing my passion for watercolour  in St Cuthbert Mills marquee this week, at this years Patchings Art Festival.  There is plenty of room in the main marquee, it is a great setting so that everyone can see and hear the demonstrations.  Full details can be found via this link.

 http://www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk/patchingsfestival/Patchings_Festival_Demos.php

I also have my own marquee this year which will be filled with books, DVDs, my own personalised brushes  and cards at special offer prices  especially for the event. I also will have a collection of original watercolours for sale. I will be delighted to meet visitors, and sign books.  This is such a special time of the year and I  love this art event. See you there!

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My next exhibition " Here Comes the Sun " opens on 15th June at the 

"Dogs in Art Gallery", Stockbridge, Hampshire

 Some beautiful pieces are in this solo show!

Nearly Foxglove Time!

Foxgloves appearing in a dramatic watercolour

Having just wandered around my garden I am thrilled to see this years foxgloves in bud already. I adore painting Summer flowers but foxgloves always seem the most magical to me. With years of fairy stories as a child, I always imagine tiny beings flitting from flower to flower whilst on the wing. My imagination is possibly at its' best during the Summer months. And they are ahead, something to look forward to. Bright glowing colours and lots of light in all my watercolours. Vety exciting!

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Foxgloves 2013

First Stage

Foxglove in watercolour 

I sat in my garden and painted several studies of foxgloves over the weekend while the sun shone. Today its a real treat to enjoy the same paintings in various stages of development. In the collection I have many differing views of each flower. The painting above is, so far, one of my favourites. This lovely foxglove has managed to seed itself near an old, garden shed and is bursting into the light from shadows cast by the building.

I will be working on a series of these flowers this week and enjoying them while they are at their best in my garden.

Painting from life is always far more interesting than working from photographs which I avoid as much as possible. I often wander around exhibitions and its' quite often very easy to  see which artists work from real life or not. Please paint what you see from life as often as you can as it  definitely improves your  ability to not only paint, but see great colour combinations and light effects. 

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Foxgloves 2013

 Foxglove washes on my easel from an hour painting in the garden this afternoon.

It is a glorious Summer day and as I am under orders to rest my foot I have sat quietly painting the first foxgloves that are coming into flower in my garden. The sun has shone on my shoulders and I have enjoyed looking at the tall foxglove plants in various stages of flowering. Some foxgloves are still in tight bud whilst others are already giving a fantastic display.

I did say while I was demonstrating at Patchings yesterday that I had a fantastically vibrant new colour that I have fallen  in love with. It is in all of these paintings and I am hooked! But its' far too nice outside to be sat inside typing on my blog so I am going back out to enjoy painting in sunlight!

Have a fantastic day and I hope you too find new colours that you can't live without!

Early stages of a foxglove painting in watercolour

Colour : Daniel Smith Watercolours

Foxgloves worked with a combination of watercolours

I know everyone is fascinated with the watercolour shades I use and always feel it unfair not to mention which products I am using when sharing my paintings online.

I had no idea what I would be starting when I began painting foxgloves. They have now become one of my favourite and best selling floral subjects. Since childhood I have always been  amazed at their regal beauty,standing tall in the woodlands where I grew up. As you walk past them, some seem to disappear into the shadows whilst others are caught in bright sunlight as in the painting I am currently working on.  

There was a beautiful painting of foxgloves similar to this one in my latest book "Atmospheric Watercolours" which sold in one of my last years exhibitions. I always meant to paint a piece like it for my own cottage and today as it was raining, I  felt the need to  create something magical with a cheerful feel about it. And this is what happened.

The foreground is  created with a gorgeous Daniel Smith shade. "

Daniel Smith

Extra Fine Watercolours

Perylene Green

It is a very strong vibrant green that seems to add drama to any composition.Definitely one to add to your wish list of colours to try!

Foxglove Fantasia

Foxglove Collection

August 2012

Works in Progress

I couldn't wait to race into my garden today. Armed with paper, palette and brushes to continue with my series of foxglove watercolours.

I sat in sunshine and quietly explored several of these gorgeous flowers growing in my cottage garden. The wild variety  have wonderful single,bell like shapes hanging downwards. These are in one area of my garden but the more domesticated variety  I have grown form fantastic shapes,several varieties have tightly packed clusters of bells forming downwards along the stem,opening more widely as they near the base.

Its' been heaven sitting studying the colours and patterns within these subjects this morning. Happy memories came flooding back from childhood when I was convinced fairies existed and lived in these beautiful flowers. I was always told never to pick them because they are highly poisonous but their beauty is outstanding and they make great subjects to paint. As an adult I am loving watching fat  fuzzy bumble bees disappear inside each flower as they collect pollen.

My favourite paintings  so far is the one in the middle on my easel,waiting to dry for the next stages to be added. How relaxing to paint a subject you love so much and enjoy working on sheerly for the pleasure of making them come alive on paper. Although these will be completed and framed at some point for exhibitions.

I can't wait to continue with my new floral collection!

Beautiful Fogloves almost leaping off the paper towards me as I work!

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Foxgloves in Watercolour: Garden Painting 2012

Foxglove growing in my cottage garden

The sun has been incredible today and the light playing on the flowers in my garden has been tempting me to work outside and enjoy the summer weather. I didn't really know where to start first as so many wonderful flowers are in bloom at the moment. But a tall foxglove has been standing proud and almost calling my name this last week.

So with a board to lean on and several pieces of paper I sat and studied its' gorgeous colour. I have opted for W&N Opera Rose as the main shade for my compositions.

 First wash working around the bell shapes of each flower on the tall foxglove stem.

It was fantastic days painting especially capturing the light in my first study which seemed to breath with life immediately in sections. 

At this stage I enjoyed leaning my first wash against an old tree stump to see how my colours sat with nature in my garden. They worked perfectly for me.

Leaning my painting in its early stage against an old log that has been surrounded by these flowers all year so far..

Next I added some darks by carefully looking at the flower in real life. I find if you continually work from photographic images your darks can tend to become far too heavy and unrealistic. Painting from life in the fresh air is far healthier for you and can give you an insight into stunning colour combinations learned from observing, which can be missed by painting inside all the time!

Foxgloves building up gradually in a painting from a session in my garden this afternoon.

I know tomorrow I will be racing out to my garden to complete the series and I have one stunning group of white foxgloves which will be truly interesting to capture in a watercolour.

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Readers of my new book "Atmospheric Watercolours"  may be reminded of my "Woodland Fantasy " foxglove painting from inside the opening pages. It is now almost two years since this  original painting was created, as it was then with my publishers until my books release in May of this year. When it was finally returned to me ,it was framed and sold in one of my recent exhibitions. It was, and always will be an all time favourite painting of mine with several galleries wishing to showcase it.

Now its time to create a new " all time favourite" foxglove painting!

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Artists Tip: Please paint outside as much as possible and from life because the colours you will see will be far more interesting and the light effects so much more interesting to paint. In time your eyes search out the patterns within pattersn too so go for gold and paint something new this week!

Busy Week!

Foxgloves appearing from colourful washes using clingfilm to form the leaves at the base of the painting

It seems ages since I added to my blog.  In fact I haven't had much free time since my return from London where I demonstrated at the fabulous Mall Galleries during the SWA,Society for Women Artists' Annual Exhibition. I hope to write about my demonstration on a seperate post as it was such a great day. Thank you so much to everyone who came to meet me especially the two ladies who came over from Ireland and Belgium. I so wish I had more time on the day to spend with you as I thought you were wonderful!

It is strange how my life is changing and how my views on being an artist are too. This incredible journey that we start out on when we pick up our brushes leads us to so many interesting destinations and to meeting new friends from all over the world.

I have been touched by so many emails and comments on my new book and art. I now start my day by replying to messages from all over the world and today I recieved my very first from Mexico.  We live in a time when we can connect via the internet and it is such a privilege to be able to do so.

My book is continuing to sell well and I have signed so many copies over the last few weeks and I keep recieving new invitations to further events which is wonderful.

The only negative comment I have recieved so far has been from someone who completely misinterpreted my chapters including salt and clingfilm. The use of which has been around for such a long time so they are not my invention and have never been claimed as such. However what has fascinated viewers of my demonstrations is my own interpretation of  their placement to gain flow and directional texture effects. I also build up subjects with textural layers as witnessed in my carnation painting demonstrations. This creates realistic patterns appropriate to each subject.

Since writing my book I have discovered yet another new way to apply salt which I hope to share soon. I honestly believe if we share our excitement in what works for us we further the joy in moving our brushes which of course is the sole aim of my writing. To encourage everyone to feel as passionate about watercolour as I do.

And to the excited architect who has experimented with my "Venetian" technique to paint buildings in landscapes. How lovely to hear I have changed your life forever and long may your successful run of sales continue! You are welcome, and thank you so much for letting me know how well you are using the technique from my new book. I am absolutely thrilled!

Painting and sharing ideas for me has never been about my own success. But more importantly it is about the success achieved by others.

So to close,Christine, congratulations on gaining your first sale in an exhibition, winning your first prize and getting into a gallery. But remember one thing.

This all happened because of YOUR talent!

Not my input,workshops or book.

I am over the moon for you.

Happy painting!

Jean

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Working With Foxgloves in Watercolour

 Foxglove paintings developing on my easel

The smaller study is of a wild pink foxglove set in Autumnal woodland. They are quite small and compact in shape compared  to when they flowered earlier this year.

The large painting is of  giant white foxgloves flowering in my garden borders still.

Yesterday my garden flowed into my studio as flower paintings developed one after the other. In the  woodland section at the foot of our garden wild pink foxgloves are in bloom again regardless of the fact that we are now in the Autumn phase of the year. In the more formal flower beds, tall towers of regal white foxgloves still bloom above the other summer flowers Many should have disappeared by now.

I am finding it impossible to focus on my other work as I know time is running out where I can paint these subjects from life.

Why is it so important to me to paint from a subject I can see in reality rather than from a photograph? The answer is simple. A photograph is flat.  Many paintings created from working from images often appear flat also. This can be avoided but not without practise from painting from life first as often as possible. New artists  often observe the darks in a photograph and add them to their compositions too heavily which can kill the gorgeous results they could have gained.

Working from life teaches me to really observe.  I see where shadows fall and melt away. I see how colours can fuse together. But most importantly I create. I use my own imagination to see what I wish to portray and  can define which elements will work for me well and which I can discard.

All the established artists I admire have worked whilst painting from life. When I was learning I often worked from a photograph believing this was the best way for me to study subjects and capture them in watercolour.  It felt " safer"  and I kidded myself that as many others learnt this way I could too. It is only now years later that  I wish I hadn't spent so much time in my early years as an artist working from images as this did not aid my style or career. In many ways I feel it held me back.

To fly as an artist you really have to learn to see. With your own eyes allowing your imagination to flow into your creations.

Yesterday the wild, pink foxgloves were set amongst falling oak leaves from the grand old oak trees in the garden whilst the white were set against gorgeous dark blue green shrubbery. I painted the backgrounds yesterday knowing today I could add the flower detail. If I paint these again in the future the light from the garden yesterday will always be in my mind.the feeling of sunshine hitting my face when Winter is around the corner just added to my day.

Foxgloves  with background  in place ready for the final detail to be added to the flowers.

I don't use masking fluid as I believ eit kills my sense of creativity almost like working with a pencil sketch can. I avoid restrictions to the freedom I feel when I paint. The darks are pure wtaercolour gained by working in bold application  of layers of gorgeous shades to create impact and drama.

When I finished painting I moved  a few foxglove seedlings and transplanted them. This means that next year I will have more painting days like this to look forward to and the opportunity to invite artist friends to paint them with me. Sharing moments like this on and off screen is such a privilege.

 I am learning still because I saw colour combinations while I worked that I had not even considered before. Colours that I could see in my sleep. If I painted every minute of every day I would never begin to touch the surface of all the possibilities out there for  amazing compositions.

But I aim to try!

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Whatever it is try painting just one small object from life whenever you can. No matter what your results are and what happens, you grow so much by these small experiments!

Painting From Life

Foxgloves appearing in a first wash next to the real flower

Nothing  can compare to learning from nature.Sitting in  the solitude of an English garden on a warm summers day listening to birdsong and placing your focus on flowers searching for colour variations and  the play of light on each petal is so relaxing and very rewarding.

I am aware that the foxgloves in my garden are now getting past their best from the beauty of the last few weeks where they have put on such  a glorious display.  Towering in tall spikes above the other smaller plants they have created such  regal impact especially when in full sun. And so I sat quietly working on two large pieces of paper allowing colour to fall where it would in my first wash  but at the same time carefully placing drops of pigment to encourage the bell forms.

Nothing can top watching a shot of Cadmiun Orange allowed to just burst onto a wet wash. As it  hits the paper it appears to bossily push the other pigments out of the way. I can almost see the transparent Alizarin Crimson  making way for the heavy opaque that takes over with force at first always looking frightening when wet until it drys to a softer glowing shade of orange.

I will confess, I am thrilled with this first wash. My "ghosts" as I call them of the individual flowers are already exciting. I need to do very little to complete this piece and it will be a favourite because of how it is  flowing  so beautifully in its development.

Foxglove bells appearing in a beautifully exciting first wash.

I  mentioned I started two paintings at the same time. The one above is intended to be louder in colour , more vibrant and more exciting. The second seen below is intended to capture the more delicate side of this flower. A subtle pink wash with hints of the yellow buds  to create a quieter result which I can relax with whilst escaping the heady passion of the first painting.

Second Foxglove painting in delicate pink from heavily diluted Alizarin Crimson.

Tip: When we paint from life our senses are more receptive to possibilities than when we work from photographs. We see colour in its most truest  form, we see shape as it really is minus distortion from a flat image and we feel life in the subject. All this knowledge then transfers easily to our painting. I can only paint from photographs successfully if I have genuinely seen the subject, taken the photograph myself or have painted from life many times in between doing so. The images here reflect the difference in colour from painting in sunlight in my garden. The moral of this story is to paint from life as much as possible!

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