Watercolour Sculpting

 

 "Imagination"

This week I visited the Tate Gallery in London to see the Late Turner exhibition. It was, as I expected, absolutely incredible. Turner was a genius. His way of working with colour and light to create stunning masterpieces can literally take your breath away.

I loved walking from painting to painting, taking my time to enjoy every piece on display. When I came to the watercolours my eyes were drawn to the exquisite use of detail  layering above superb use of colour that depicted atmosphere so stunningly. I loved listening to the audio guide, which explained about the artists life and technique. The stories behind some of the paintings were fascinating. One piece was titled as though it was an actual port but no, it was given the name after another artist that Turner admired. He used his imagination so much to create scenes that were breathtaking in their accuracy of places that never even existed.

Last night I was taken to see the movie of this masters life. I watched "Mr Turner"  but my inspiration  truly came from seeing his original art. I came home energised. I couldn't wait to paint today but initially I was distracted by the flowers growing in our cottage garden. But my mind couldn't stray from the imaginative landscapes I had seen at the famous London gallery.

I wasn't in the mood to paint light colours tonight. I wanted drama, impact and most of all, texture. I admired the  way Turner created  texture in his oil paintings. But as a watercolourist I wondered if I was limited by my favourite medium. I am not. I have worked as dark as I can this evening and used gouache to form  light and texture in places on a painting of an imaginary landscape. In a way, you could describe this technique as " Watercolour Sculpting". A way of working that I used to love when painting landscapes previously. Building up the scenes using layers of colour that get stronger until the last touches are almost neat pigment. Which can be moved and placed to form textural effects.

This simple scene has created a sense of excitement within me that I haven't felt for some time. I am yearning to come into my studio tomorrow and continue experimenting but possibly on more flowing backgrounds next. We will see.

For now, I am grateful to a man who passed away long before I was born. Who I hope would be resting in the knowledge that he will inspire generations  to come with his art.

What a great legacy.

A true inspiration

And a true master in watercolour and art.

"Imagination"

The Artist Magazine: Book Review 2012

"Atmospheric Watercolours"

To be launched later this month.

Every writer eagerly awaits the first review when they write a new book. It is a long process from the birth of an idea to seeing all your hard work finally in print. The date for its' release draws nearer but at that time there is a sense of anticipation as you are  waiting to see if others like what you have written and shared. I  placed my heart and soul into each page of this new publication wishing to inspire with every demonstration My desire was to have readers of each section racing to try new ideas and reach for goals that they may never have considered before.

I do believe there is still so much that has yet  to be discovered in this magical medium.

Yesterday I received my copy of June 2012 issue of The Artist Magazine. Within its' pages was the first review for my new book " Atmospheric Watercolours". I started reading each line eager to see what the opinion would be. At first I read in disbelief, each line overwhelmed me. Finally overcome with emotion tears ran down my face. Happy tears.

You see I have had many heros in this art world,one of which greatly influenced my art life.  Two were mentioned in my review. And I am to this moment, overcome by the connection of my work amongst  two masters I greatly admire.

Please read the review and try to imagine,as a writer how I am feeling.

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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."

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I was influenced by Jean- Louis Morelles work when I lived in France.  Turner I mention many  times in my art life and I doubt there will ever be a time when my breath will not be taken away when seeing his masterpieces in reality.

The first review of my new book has left me feeling humble and overwhelmed. I am so small to be compared to such great masters; at the same time I am relieved the writer seems to have understood where I was coming from in my own journey. I don't want to accept how I paint today is my final destination I see it as the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life.

I am , of course,thrilled and very happy to read such a generous and glowing review. And I hope readers of my book will agree and enjoy it too.

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Paintings from my new book will be on show and exhibited in May and June 2012.

For full details please see my web site.

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