Watercolours With Life: Magical First Washes

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Magical First Washes

A Magical first wash full of life and energy via exciting brushstrokes.

I have had yet another incredible day. Starting with a meeting at a castle to arrange an art event that will take place later this year with an amazing guest artist followed by a quick visit to a new gallery that has opened this week. I had taken work in previously so that it could be framed ready for the opening. Out of the collection my new baby owl looks so wonderful in the gorgeous frame that I must admit I nearly changed my mind to keep it!

Next I returned to my studio and continued with washes for my new collection of cockerels. I am aiming for more than character this time, I want a feeling of life in each piece with new and dramatic interpretations of washes and water runs which I am advidly becoming a huge fan of. My work as ever is evolving to a point where I am finding it very difficult to pass on each new technique or approach as the complex layers and colour interaction play a huge part in the results. Knowing the properties of each pigment and how they "play" together is vital to the final effects also.

This afternoon my washes are literally singing with life reflecting my happy mood. So much so that I couldn't resist sharing this wonderful one shared above that will tempt me all night and tease my imagination into where this painting is leading. In my mind I thought I knew what I was aiming for but this is far better than I had hoped for so my direction will change as I will allow the brushmarks and colour to guide my artists eye in the morning.

I have the sense to leave this alone for tonight and enjoy it as it is but I cannot wait for tomorrow to come,this will indeed be a very special cockerel!

As I explained on my workshop last week. If you achieve something wonderful at any stage don't be in a race to move forward.Tarry awhile and love things as they are at each and every stage in a painting.That way the medium has a chance to tell you what it wishes you to do next.

Listen to what it tells you!

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3 comments:

Lindsey said...: Oh yes - sometimes it is a week until I know what to do next with paintings or until I have time to! I love this cockrel in the making, vibrant and full of movement; 14 April 2010 at 12:23
Maree Clarkson said...: Love the way he is looking directly at us Jean - don't know where you've gone with this in the meantime, but I love this one!; 16 April 2010 at 00:29
Anonymous said...: this is sooo very true and sometimes this is the hardest thing to do, walk away and let it be. But you are very right about letting the painting take you there on it's own, if I just listen and don't push it.
thanks for all the tips and pointers that you give.
peace,
CheyAnne; 3 June 2012 at 03:14

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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."