Facing Facts

Facing Facts

Wise II

Over the last few days the main focus of the news has been on the riots causing mayhem throughout England. This morning I watched many people join forces to clean up the mess left behind by youths who had selfishly run riot giving no thought to others lives or possesssions. All that mattered seemed to be how they gained their "fun" without a care in the world of the consequences.

At first I was horrified. I have listened while wise people in privileged positions explain how these youngsters need help and support. And I have to ask a question. How old does anyone have to be to understand the difference between right and wrong?

Over the years I have painted many "Wise Men". Faces  with character from my time living in Dubai. My emotions must have flowed into this face this morning as I see worry there mixed with concern and sadness. I am certain many parents and grandparents are feeling thoses emotions at the moment.

I hope the week continues in a much more peaceful manner with no further problems. 

Finding a Flow

Finding a Flow

On days when you don't feel like painting!

Playful Wash at the end of a working session

Sometimes it is hard to  get going when you have had a break from your studio or when your mood may not be condusive to painting.  Yesterday I went to Wales to visit an elderly relative who is in hospital. Over the weekend my concern grew over her heatlh and I was also completely stunned by the news of riots in London over the last three evenings.

There are times when we won't feel cheerful or as eager to create as we usually would. For the professional artist having a period when you don't want to pick up your brush is not an option. For the amateur the impact of not wishing to paint for a few days can often become more permanant as days and weeks can pass by without that wonderful urge of  yearning to paint disappears.

I hear so many comments from people who normally love working in watercolour but for some reason their enthusiasm has vanished. When I get days like today I forget subjects and close my mind to  the compositions I know I should be working on. Instead I play with colour. Interestingly today I worked in blue. Every single wash has been a combination of blue shades which led me to eventually to subjects I wouldn't normally be painting. As the morning passed I felt a need to introduce some sunshine into my very peaceful blue washes so I added yellow and allowed the pigments to melt together just to see what would happen. I have some white flowers in my room so picked them out in one interesting flow and love what is beginning to happen.

Close Up of Flower Detail

Considering this relaxation piece  is aimed at the bin I have had a very.calming art session. My mind is clear again and I am eager to work tomorrow. I also managed to deliver four new paintings to be framed for an upcoming exhibition and have time to work on email messages in the morning mainly connected with my diary of events for 2012.

I am also going to look through all the wonderful paintings of shells that have headed my way by email for my August Watercolour Challenge.The ones I have seen so far are fantastic but I am keeping my fingers crossed for a few more paintings so please  forward your challenge to me if you haven't already! 

On that note I have a really fun subject ready for the next challenge that should raise more than a few smiles!

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Reaching For Gold

Golden Moments

 Goldfish appearing in an exciting colourful wash 

It is happening.

The moment when I begin to switch off from the world as my new book really starts to come to life.The introduction stage was written some time ago and the mid sections are now leading to the most exciting of climaxes. I find I cannot tear myself away from my studio. I have lost all sense of the outisde world as my imagination and creative instincts lead me from one  tempting subject and technique to another. I have discovered so much along the way of writing my second book and on top of this I have met incredible artists over the last twelve months of all levels who have keenly encouraged me to take on this exciting project. I can't thank everyone enough for the enthusiasm and anticipation to the day this new book will be published.  My acknowledgemnt page is certainly going to be very interesting!

I have many emails from Art Societies awaiting replies, I have long lists of contacts asking about my 2012 watercolour workshops and I also have exhibitions I need to focus on for next year.

My life is very rich and  not a day goes by where something new and wonderful doesn't happen. It is far too much for one person to take in alone or possess. Which is why I want to give everything I know away in the chapters of my second book so that other artists may love what they are doing as much as I do and achieve their dreams.

One of the nicest emails I have read this week is from an established professional artist with many years of experience under their belt.They have won many awards and are a legend in thier own art journey. They told me I am like a breath of fresh air as I have renewed their own passion and enthusiasm for working in watercolour,  through new eyes even though they thought hey had seen it all before.. How wonderful is that and what a compliment. I will not reveal their name but I am truly honoured to have recieved such a flattering  message!

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I have been watching fish in our pond grow from tiny black small fry, born last year. They have gradually turned into gorgeous gold fish. No one would believe me when I said this would happen and it has! They are now stunning subjects to paint.  So when you lose faith,have a down painting day or don't believe you will be, or indeed are a fantastic artist think of these fish.

They turned into gold and I believe you can too!

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Eagerly Waiting For Tomorrow.

Portrait Demonstration from my book

" How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour"

Today has been a day for turning off the computer and working in solitude on my second book which will be released next year. I am finding myself more and more enthralled with the latest chapters and new techniques I am working on and wish to share. Once upon a time I would race to my computer and share every single new idea or way to paint a new subject as soon as I had discovered it. Now I am learning to hold back and keep my latest techniques a complete secret until my newq book is launched in 2012.

I really want everyone to not only love painting in watercolour as I do but feel they are on an adventure themselves into  exploring new approaches to working in a loose style. I am giving absolutely everything I have ever learnt away from tips to techniques given to me over the years from all over the world and more. But I am also learning new fascinating outcomes from my own experiements with watercolour. These I can't wait to give away to be enjoyed.

So if I go quiet or  my emails are few and far between you know why. I am loving what is coming off my keyboard, as in text and my paintbrush, as in paintings for my next book.

I cannot wait to start writing tomorrow!

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You can follow me on Twitter where I connect and share with other artists, art magazines,galleries and art manufacturers for the latest updates and news. 

Or communicate with me on Facebook when I am online!

Come Dipingere LUCE & COLORE ad Acquarello

"Come Dipingere 

LUCE & COLORE  

ad Acquarello"

My book " Howe to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" is now available in Italian!

This afternoon while working hard on my second book a parcel arrived from my publisher. I wasn't expecting one so wondered what it could be. Since my first book was published one wonderful surpise after another has taken plac to the point that I never really know what to expect next. As I eagerly removed the parcel wrapping I could see copies of my book " How to Paint  Colour and Light in Watercolour" inside but when they finally came into full view they were all in Italian!

How fantastic!

Published by "Il Castello"  my first book is now available in another language and I am thrilled,over the moon and very happy!

I now need to get back to work on my next book which is looking so beautiful. I do hope this one is published in Italian too!

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August Watercolour Challenge 2011

August Watercolour Challenge 2011

What better way to celebrate Summer than paint subjects which remind us of holidays,sunshine beaches and relaxtion? I always try to vary my subjects as much as possible.I believe this strectches my artists soul and imagination, as well as my skill with my favourite medium.

I did love seeing all the emails that came my way with wonderful paintings of flowers in July so here is anotherWatercolour Challenge .

Please study the subject and look at how it sits in the composition.You can change this or paint it as you see it. Bear un mind others will be painting this too and they can see what you seew. How can you make your painting very different to everyone elses?

Photograph of a shell taken this morning.

I am amazed at how this  image looks like a painting already. I have only placed a favourite shell against the copper patio in one section of our garden. It acts as a gorgeous backdrop to the subject.

If you would like to send me your results please email me your paintings on

jeanhaines@hotmail.com

Happy painting and I look forward to seeing hwat you come up with.

 

Summer Days

Making the Most of Natural Summer Light

Echinacea 

Painted in this afternoons summer  sunshine.

I couldn't bear to be on my computer today so  I am behind with emails, messages and the August Watercolour challenge. Instead of typing I made the most of every second of sunshine today and worked on paintings for my next book.

With whispery soft touches I began to bring an Echinacea flower to life. As its petals appeared softly with the sun shining on my shoulders I felt an inner happiness that is so hard to explain. Sometimes solitude can be a wonderful thing.

My day started with a family of swans arriving at our cottage.Three young cygnets eagerly fed from me and the proud parent watched with almost a smile on their face. Make that beak! 

Thsi afternoon I took a lovely walk with Bailey through a nearby field that is full of wild flowers which created an incredible riot of colour. What fascinated me is that nature placed every single colour you could imagine together in this field. Forget everything you have ever been taught about choosing colours that harmonise for a painting. Because not one of these colours did in the field.  And yet it looked exciting and fabulous. As soon as I came home I tried to paint the feeling of light and happiness that was in my heart.

Maybe that is another secret to achieving a good painting.Your mood and how you allow it to  flow into your results. Mine is light and carefree,and I hope that will show in my finished piece!

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I will add the August challenge soon!