Watercolours With Life: Lilac in Watercolour

Friday, 31 May 2013

Lilac Time

Lilacs coming to life in a vibrant floral wash

I desperaely wanted to paint today. Having taught workshops all week I found my fingers itching to hold brushes and as the day wore on I just couln't resist playing with colour. I had taken some lilac into my workshops as subjects to paint. Having brought them home for floral arrangements I noticed they were beginning to droop today. So time was running out if I was to capture them in watercolour.

The blossoms were a pale mauve in colour that didn't make me feel energised so instead I painted my favourite variety which is a deep purple. The whole point of the exercise was to free me up from teaching mode and get me back into the zone for writing and working on my next book. The rich colours definitely did make me feel good and I now have a million ideas for my next paintings. Maybe a large vase of lilac next or huge sprays on a lilac tree.

We will see!

HAPPY PAINTING.

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Lilac Time

Lilac Time

Summer 2012

To all the fabulous artists who came to my demonstrations over the last few weeks here is how I continued to work on one of the washes I showed in my sessions.

Remember the interestingly cool, blue salt wash?

Well this afternoon I completely fell in love with the lilac in bloom outside of my studio window. I couldn't resist picking up that small piece of paper that I showed you the blue salt wash on and I quickly turned it into a gorgeous interpretation of lilac with very little effort.The salt created the patterns for the individual tiny blooms in each cluster of lilac sprays on my tree.

It really does take just a little imagination to turn all the exercise washes from my book and DVDs into beautifully unique paintings.

So how are you doing with your "three washes a day" prograrmme from my latest DVD " Watercolour Passion"?

And how will you use all the techniques in my new book "Atmospheric Watercolours"?

Any subject is possible to paint with my techniques so don't miss out with subject after subject in glorious colour!

And my favourite tip?

Paint when the mood hits you,don't put off that wonderful feeling of needing to paint if you can possibly pick up your brushes the minute inspiration grabs you.

Like it just did when I saw the new lilac in bloom!

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Details of my two DVDs and my two books can be found on my web site

www.jeanhaines.com.

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."