Finding Daisy : West Highland White, Continued

 "Finding Daisy"

An unfinished painting has a voice. It continually calls to you until it is heard when you listen to make the final touches and complete it. Until the painting is finished the voice will not be silenced. Nor will the restlessness in a true artists soul.

This morning I headed for my studio to work on my new book. I have a fabulous new chapter to work on that is really thrilling me. And yet I couldn't ignore the call to finish my painting of Daisy, the West Highland White terrier that I shared on my blog yesterday. Bearing in mind that this painting is merely a study to work from in a later larger creation, it is now looking so intriguing that I am wanting to show Daisy's owner. I hadn't wished to until I painted the real thing. There is a feeling of connection between myself, the little dog and the moment I watched her play in my garden in this study. A connection that may be lost in the real painting, because as time passes my emotions will soften and change as I work on new paintings instead. Paintings that lead me further away from Daisy.

I have now strengthened the detail on the face of my terrier study. You can see I did indeed make the decision not to add the tongue showing. The inquisitive expression of the face seemed more interesting with the mouth closed. I have also hinted at one paw being raised which to me looks cute and hints at action about to happen . As if Daisy could indeed dart away at any second, as she did on the day in real life.

I like the last stage seen below as well. The white of the rear coat worked well so I may go back to this idea for my full large painting.

 Yesterdays closing stage of my study of Daisy.

It is hard to imagine that below is the starting stage, or was, of this little painting. Just a few colour marks for an outline, hints of eyes and a nose and the suggestion of what my subject could be is there. Minus any of the later work involved in the study at the top of this blog post. The whole point of a study exercise is to learn. To learn about form, colour combinations and ideas that may bring a subject to life in a way that is pleasing. Each brushstroke leads me further into loving painting this breed of dog that I love so much.

 Perhaps Daisy needs a soul mate in my next painting with a new model! We will see. 

But for now, I am "Finding Daisy" in watercolour

How my study of Daisy originally started before it grew to the above painting.

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Artists Tips for the day

1) Learn to "listen" to what a painting tells you it needs

2) Take a break from a painting overnight, so you can look at it with fresh eyes the next morning to see what it needs.

3) Listen to your heart when it tells you to paint!

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Bearded Collie in Watercolour

"Sleepyhead"

 Bearded Collie in Watercolour 

( Copyright Strictly Jean Haines )

I'm working on a new collection for an exhibition later this year and as my mind is set on painting animals in watercolour for my new films this month I couldn't resist painting my own dog Bailey this afternoon.

This is a work in progress but it is nearly complete. 

This painting is such a joy to work on because I am painting my own pet, knowing his character and his poses. I love how his one eye is open watching me when I took the original photo. He was half asleep but at the same time didn't want to miss out on anything that might be about to happen.

I will have some beautiful new work available later this year for a solo show. 

For now I will keep painting happily and sharing. I always paint at my best when I am happy and right now I am ecstatically happy!

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Please note: If I add these words after a painting it means the piece is from an exhibition collection and not for copying

( Copyright Strictly Jean Haines )

Weimarana in Watercolour 2016

Weimarana in Watercolour 2016

It is definitely a dog day in my studio as I desperately try to decide which breed will feature in my new film on how to paint animals in watercolour.

I adored painting the little terrier and have moved on to a weimaraner. Both are in the early stages of soft watercolour and on my easel waiting for the final details to be added. Neither painting need too much  in the way of completing.

Perhaps I should paint a long haired or fluffy dog next.

This really is so much fun!

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Monday: That White Piece of Paper

Beautiful terrier coming to life on my easel

I really love Mondays!

I know many people seem to dread Monday but to me it is the best day of the week. And I am so excited because I leave for my USA tour at the end of this month. And I have a secret to share because I am useless at keeping secrets so please never ever tell me one! I will be filming whilst I am on tour so you will be able to see me create all kinds of subjects from flowers to animals later this year.

I am currently working on my programme of filming for a whole week. My main problem is that I have so many favourite subjects to choose from to share my techniques that I am torn on what I can and cannot include. But I will be sharing as many subjects as possible.

At the same time I am being asked for new work especially for new dog paintings in watercolour which is a great coincidence as I am working on a beautiful new collection of animals at the moment. 

This morning I began a gorgeous painting of a dog in watercolour. The sun is shining and the birds are singing outside my studio window. It feels like heaven on earth watching pure colour flow so simply to create this particular beautiful pet portrait.

Whatever you are doing, I hope you have a great week ahead and I hope your colours are flowing too!

Beautiful terrier coming to life on my easel, adding more detail and hint of the body.

Coming To Life

Loved pet dog, coming to life  during a workshop demonstration

Work in progress.

Hi again. I finally have time to come onto my blog and leave an update. The good news is that Bailey, my Bearded Collie, is now home from the Royal Veterinary College in London and whilst last week was a nightmare he is doing very well and has started eating too. We took him to our local vets this morning and they confirmed that they hadn't expected him to survive. It is still a complete mystery what caused the infection that nearly killed him but he is  getting over it and  I am so relieved. I do understand losing pets to old age, a sad time we all have to face  as a dog owner, but for Bailey to go through this ordeal was alarming and it wasn't time to say goodbye yet to our dog, we knew that.

Thank you so much to everyone who has sent me such kind messages. Its' going to take me forever to reply but each one has been a much needed hug. I actually felt a lot more " fragile" than I was letting on but I think many of my friends already knew that . I'm not ready to lose my four legged shadow yet and he obviously isn't ready to leave me!

So lets' get back to painting on my blog now!

Yesterday I had time to unpack the files from last weeks workshops. I put photos away , dismissing any I didn't feel were of value for future courses because next year  I am moving into a new "realm". Then I looked through my last weeks' demonstrations. I must have had sparks flying off my brushes! I still cannot get over how fantastic the groups of people were on each session last week. I loved the time of day when you could hear a pin drop in the silence of  fabulous  enthusiasm  whilst everyone was painting following my mornings demonstrations or "one on one" time in the afternoon.

Sometimes its' easier to sit quietly with an artist and show how I would approach the subject they have chosen as it doesn't necessarily follow on from my demonstration. Sometimes just one small tip can make all the difference to the watching artist " getting it" in how I paint without a sketch. I loved the little dog above and happily showed how I would work from a starting point. In this case the eye, and move away from it to build up the painting gradually. Each section has its' own importance and I loved  working towards the gorgeous ear that I felt I would stroke gently if the dog were mine. Fur under the mouth was interesting in that it added to the dogs facial expression, one of hope for a treat perhaps!

I love facing a completely white sheet of watercolour paper and watching a subject come to life on it. Theres' a point where all of a sudden , someone watching the demonstration sees what you as the artist are aiming for and it is magical. I certainly felt the connecttion when this little dog apeared from first the eye, the ear and then finally the soft smudge of a nose.

How much more should I work on this piece? Well the nose does need stronger definition. I may blur colour away from the defined side of the face to hint at the second eye being there but the painting is working very well almost as it is. We can see the character of the pet now, so much more added could lose the freshness and sense of  intrigue.

I will update my blog more regularly as I am now in my studio working on  my next solo exhibition and I am on the last stages of writing my next book so there is so much to look forward to. 

And so much to do! I had best get back to work!

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Airedale Terrier : Dog Magazine Feature USA

Airedale Terrier coming to life in a watercolour on my easel

I am writing a feature for a Dog magazine in USA and working on a new series of dog paintings.

I couldn't resist sharing this stage of an Airedale Terrier in watercolour. This wonderful dog has a character that is larger than life. Amazingly as I worked on this painting a fabulous real airedale walked past my studio. It was so young and almost bouncing on its paws, excitedly pulling its' owner for a walk on the lead. The enthusiasm and energy in that dog has leapt into my brushstrokes as they are now going all over the place and in every single direction!

This piece is made up of  several layers because the breeds coat has superb texture. The head shape is quite square compared to the breeds I usually capture . And that gaze is to die for. Whatever this beautiful dog is looking at they aim to get!

Have a wonderful time painting a subject that you love and enjoy a variety of textures too in your work. Don't forget to always look for a section of light to play around too.

Faithful Friend

Faithful Friend

 There are only so many flowers I can paint in one  week! I know its' spring and I know there are some gorgeous subjects bursting into life in my garden but if I stayed with the same subject no matter what kind of flower it was I  am sure my work would suffer. And so  my heart has pulled me in the direction of a lovely dog that has been visiting my cottage this year.

 "Faithful Friend" 

Coming to life in Watercolour,amazingly without any form of sketch beforehand.

This faithful friend turned up with an amazing man who has made every door in  beautiful oak for our home.The dog patiently sits in the van waiting for his master to finish working. Every now and then the two companions  are briefly reunited over a coffee or break and the faithful friend immediately bounces into gleeful action. When the master returns to work the look on this intelligent dogs face is priceless.

And that is what I am painting here. 

Not the dog.  

The emotion and story behind the piece. I have a story to tell in only so many words. 

My brushstrokes are my speech.

If you look at the following first stage and can imagine you already see a dog then my start is a good one. My painting is begging me to continue working, just like the real dog was yearning for his masters company.

I have a strong connection with this that will make the outcome very magical. And this makes my subject so enjoyable to  paint.

The first colour placement with no preliminary sketch.

A very exciting way to work as subjects lietrally burst into life during the process of creation.

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It is always mesmerising watching subjects jump to life without a hint of  a sketch  to guide the artist. Two collections of my watercolours will be  in exhibitions in April 2011

"The Frame", Odiham, Hampshire  from April 7th,2011

"The Wey Gallery",Godalming, Surrey from April 23rd, 2011

Everyone is welcome to the private previews where I look forward to meeting you. For further information please contact the galleries directly

The Frame Gallery,Odiham, Hampshire RG29 1LB

Tel: 01256 701082

The Wey Gallery,Godalming,Surrey  GU7 1HL

Tel: 01483 418013