World of Watercolour Exhibition Collection 2015 In The Pink!

 Essence

Young Ballet Dancers waiting in the wings

SOLD 

Continuing to share paintings from my upcoming exhibition at the Frame Gallery in Odiham, Hampshire. Which opens next week I am moving onto my "pink " mood.

I love painting with Opera Pink by Daniel Smith. It is such an alive colour which suits ballet scenes beautifully. The above painting " Essence" was sold in last years exhibition. And was a very popular piece. I think ballet always is in art shows.

In my book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour" there is a delightful watercolour called " Curtain calls" which depicts young ballet dancers in the wings waiting to go in stage. You can imagine their excitement and nerves. I loved painting this piece and even sat here typing about it I desperately want to race for my brushes to paint another.

It can be found on pages 22 and 23. 

With the words

" I gradually lost the inner artist who loved painting intricate detail and became one who loved capturing the essence of a subject". 

The chapter refers to my beginning in life as a botanical artist who then moved onto a loose impressionistic style. If I can move from painting in such a tight botanical way I believe everyone can, if they wish to

 Curtain Calls

Size 57 x 60 cms

In a stunning gold classic frame.

£620

Next is a sweet baby. With such beautiful blue eyes. This painting is all about innocence. The innocence of a child. It can be found on pages 10 and 11 of my new book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour"  and there is something so sweet about the piece. I can't put the feeling I have into words when I look at this painting. I feel happy inside and smile. I'm sure any parent or grandparent will completely understand.

Bright Eyes

Size 58 x 72 cms

£650

I have already shared the portraits from my exhibition so next I will be sharing florals and there are one or two wildlife paintings yet to be shown here on my blog too.

There have already been two sales ahead of the show as  collectors had fallen in love with certain pieces which I quite understand So please contact the gallery if you are interested in a painting from my book. They will be happy to help you.

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All art can be reserved via contacting the Frame Gallery.

The link for the gallery regarding paintings is

http://www.theframe-gallery.co.uk/explore-a-world-of-watercolour-with-international-artist-jean-haines/

The link to buy "Jean Haines World of Watercolour"  is

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-World-Watercolour/dp/1782210393

The link to buy my next new book,"Colour and Light" the Collectors Special Edition is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-Colour-Light-Watercolour/dp/1782214038/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441117253&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=jean+haines+colour+and+light+collectors+edition

Portraits : One Two Three

 Can you see a face yet?

 I have no idea why I started painting portraits the way that I do . I just did. I was attending art classes in Dubai studying portraiture  in oils. The tutor was a master at his skill and I loved the classes. But the paintings always seemed lifeless to me. Perfect but lifeless.

Hours were spent sketching which has taught me in good stead for observational skills. But once the portraits were sketched onto canvas what followed was a basic form of filling in colour to build up the painting. Perfectly. And yes, there were incredible paintings created with superb likenesses. I spent ages in that class. Taking months to complete each piece. All of which were sadly stolen so I have no portraits to cherish from that time in my art life.

But as I moved to watercolour from oil I wanted something more from my work. And I developed my own way of painting portraits. Now each time I hold workshops I often close a session by painting a face. At first the class watch as a "blob of colour" appears on paper in front of them. Next I look for the light hitting the face. And at this stage my first wash looks a little bit of a mess. 

Like this!

One.

 

 First wash of a portrait. 

Working without a sketch and just adding colour where I feel it should be.

 This portrait is of an elderly French gentleman that I met on my travels in France. He was sat in a French market watching the world go by and who could blame him on a Summers day with so much colour to enjoy and terrific people passing by.

Next I add just a touch of detail. Not much but enough so that I can recognise the face has features.

This takes it away from being just a colour blob and turns the wash into something more recognisable.

  Two

 Now my subject is looking directly at me!

 I now have to be so careful. I don't want to lose the freshness in the piece but I do need to define a few more sections. With my rigger brush I now add the fine lines needed to complete the painting.

Three.

"Kindness"

I tend to paint these portraits at the end of my working day. Not to sell. But to improve my skills. I set time limits to improve my accuracy and speed at capturing the subject.

This is an enjoyable exercise and fun.

Portraits as easy as one, two  ,three?

Not really as I have been doing this for some time now. But practise does help.

I painted a memorable portrait in front of the workshop class in Tasmania . The organiser watched spellbound and said. " Thats' it.. I'm now convinced you are a witch. No one can produce faces just like that"

Which made me laugh!

Sharing what we know and how we paint is a wonderful gift to possess as an artist.  I am often asked why I do give so much away when I write my blog posts or share online. I can't  fit everything I want to share in my books and I know by the time I have worked through the one I am working on now I may have forgotten to share this demonstration.

So please enjoy it and have fun painting faces. Like me you could become addicted!

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There is more on painting portraits in my latest book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour" which includes lots of tips on how to paint them.

Paintings from my "World of Watercolour " Exhibition 2015 : Birds

 World of Watercolour Exhibition 2015

 Here are the next  collection of paintings from my new book "Jean Haines World of Watercolour" that will be included in my solo exhibition of the same name, at the Frame Gallery in Odiham this September. These paintings are very dear to me for personal reasons. This blog post includes some of the birds from my book and upcoming solo show. Wildlife is a favourite subject for me. Living where I do in English countryside I am so privileged to see it up close, to paint.

 

 Jenny Wren 

Page 1.in my book  "Jean Haines World of Watercolour"

Framed : Size 52 x 60 cms.

Price £535

I have always loved wrens. I see one each day on my morning walk with Bailey, my bearded collie. But there is also one that seems to live in our garden. They are beautiful little birds. To me the most fascinating thing about them is that they are tiny and plain in colour. Almost insignificant. But that is what appeals to me about them. The way they move, their bright eyes.To me they are such pretty birds. Beautiful in their simplicity. Not everything needs to be a blast of colour to be gorgeous. Painting this one was an absolute delight to paint but as I worked in my studio on the piece one hovered right outside my studio window. As if it knew it was the subject for my painting.

I have selected a white frame to show off the delicacy of this piece and it looks wonderful. I am thrilled to include this in my show.

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 Heron

Page 173 of my book  "Jean Haines World of Watercolour"

Framed : Size 52 x 62 cms.

Price £495

Anyone who has been to my cottage or my workshops may have heard me talk about Hector. Hector is the heron who lives in our cottage garden. Sometimes he reminds me of an elegant grey haired gentleman who just happens to love passing the time of day with you. One who loves a country garden and is happy to wander around it. Of course Hector is also naughty in that he steals fish from our pond but on the whole he is so charming that I can't be angry at him for that. And he has made an appearance in my new book.

Painted in a a way that makes the most of my Chinese Brush work techniques and leaving the white paper to tell the story as much as what is painted upon it.

Hector is in a white wooden frame and he looks very handsome!

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Puffin

Page 51 of my book  "Jean Haines World of Watercolour"

Framed : Size 62 x 47  cms.

Price £595

Not seen in my garden! This beautiful Puffin is very dear to me for a different reason. I hold workshops all over the world and on them I am asked to demonstrate how I will approach painting all manner of subjects. On one occasion I was asked how I would paint a puffin. The demonstration was part of my course "one on one" sessions but the whole class are able to watch these if they are interested in the subject. And they were. I started with the eye of the puffin and began to build up the painting. At one point while demonstrating there was only the head and no beak so the little bird looked rather odd.  At this time a member of the class informed me that Puffins beaks fall off in winter. I couldn't help but reply " Do you mean they walk around looking like this?"  The whole class fell about laughing as did I. And for a while I couldn't stop giggling. This is confession time. My biggest fear when demonstrating or holding workshops is to get a giggling fit because even at this age I can't stop once I start laughing. It is embarrassing. I was lucky, the whole room laughed with me but for a while no one could say the word " Puffin" in front of me in case I started laughing again. Artist son this course remembered and emails that followed often mentioned " puffin" knowing it would get me smiling and giggling again. There was a bond in that class that I will never forget and the loved flowed into this painting because of it.

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I love all these paintings. They look fabulous in my own home but they are also very integral to my book and how it was written. My goal in this exhibition is to have my work owned by people who love each painting for a reason. And this is why I am letting these special paintings go.

If you are interested in any of these paintings or work from my latest book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour" please contact Jan at the Frame Gallery who can advise you on how to purchase.

My solo exhibition opens on 11th September 2015. 

Here is a link to the gallery.

 http://www.theframe-gallery.co.uk/explore-a-world-of-watercolour-with-international-artist-jean-haines/

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If you would like to buy a copy of my book "Jean Haines World of Watercolour" it is available via this link

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-World-Watercolour/dp/1782210393

Jean Haines World of Watercolour.

Launched in June 2015. 

Already an international best seller

Look What You Did?

"Jean Haines World of Watercolour"

Selling so well it has had to go for a reprint already! 

Can you believe it? I can't!

This week I was invited to the Annual Summer Party by my  amazing publishers and it was a fantastic night to celebrate so much. I met literary agents from all over the world and leading authors too who I had not met before. Authors who work in different arts and crafts.

I was thrilled to talk to the owners about the success and popularity of my books on watercolour. But my jaw dropped when I was told that my latest book "Jean Haines World of Watercolour" has had to go  for its' very first reprint already. This is incredible.  It has only just been launched officially and everyone at my publishers is over the moon.  As am I. But my face must have been a picture because I couldn't take the news in at first. I just stood in a stunned silence!

 I had previously been told that the pre order sales for "Jean Haines World of Watercolour"broke all records for a new book and that since the launch  orders for copies have flooded in.

Now, as I am sat here typing this news to you I feel as though I am typing about someone else because this could not possibly be happening to me. I feel like a tiny blip in the world of art. A small, insignificant artist who just loves painting and sharing their passion for  watercolour. I feel wonderful when I work quietly in my garden. And I wake with the eagerness of a child who knows they are going to enjoy the day each morning.

But to hear this incredible news has slightly knocked me for six.

I am happy. No, that's an understatement. I am thrilled! Ecstatic but also a little overwhelmed. Because the more nice things people say about me the harder I work so as not to let those very same people down.

I owe the biggest thank you to every single person who has not only bought a copy of my books but also encouraged me, supported me and let me know they like what I am doing.

 I was told I am one of the publishers top authors. They said in a speech this week that without writers they wouldn't exist. 

I believe without you I wouldn't exist as an author. 

I wouldn't. 

Its' as simple as that.

So you are making my dreams come true which means I must work hard to make everyone elses' dreams come true.

Happiness creates happiness and it is a gift to give away. Not keep.

Thank you.

Thank you so much!

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Full Speed Ahead in UK and USA

 "Hydrangea Clusters in Blue"

Okay. Now I admit I need a clone of me. Everyone has laughingly teased me, asking how I fit so much into one day. And I usually reply that I have lots of energy. I do, but today probably was the most interesting for a long time. Did I really do all that!

I woke very early because I was eager to complete a chapter I had started on my new book. It was falling into place so beautifully yesterday and I couldn't wait to re read it ad check the paintings one more time before I sent them to Ed, who is the editor for this new publication. Checking each page, lay out and text. This book is  stepping right inside my heart and is very hard to let go of . I love it. Its different to anything I have ever done before and its making me think so much. About my life. My art and why I love painting so much. I don't want to be away from it, even for a second. In fact I want to write the next chapter right now but that wouldn't be fair. My energy level has dropped so it wouldn't be written when I was feeling at my best. And I want each page to be beautifully absorbing to read as well as have exciting images in it to enjoy.

So after walking Bailey this morning, I raced to my studio. Things changed as they often do. My quiet writing time disappeared. I have been invited  to give an interview for a fabulous art magazine and had agreed. Today was the day and the questions were brilliant. Interviews are so much easier when the interviewer is professional and fascinating. And they were!

So having spent time and enjoyed this first interview today, I later opened my email for a request for an interview  with a USA magazine. This isn't so much an interview, as it is more an insight into my new book. I have been asked to forward images for the feature so sent a selection for the editor to choose from and happily for me,  they loved them.

Next was a request by a gallery for images to promote my solo exhibition with them which opens in September, this year.  This show will be highlighting and selling the original paintings from my new book " Jean Haines World of Watercolour". There are favourite subjects in the book that already have gained interest. Like the little harvest mouse and the puffin.  So please follow my blog or check my web site if you would like to own one of these paintings, which are now very dear to me. And if there is a painting you like in my new book now is a good time to contact me. Because quite often favourites sell long before a show opens, by pieces being reserved.

So now finally after all the excitement you would imagine I could paint and work on my new book. No, not at all, because a fabulously exciting email from USA arrived and I am really desperate to share the news inside it but cannot just yet. And I am useless at keeping secrets! And it meant I needed to send more images and text too. This had to be done today.

In between all this activity I did work on a few paintings and yes, complete the special chapter which is now with Ed. I wonder if he will like it! I certainly hope so because for me, the emotion when I worked on it was so real and I think its going to be a very informative part of the opening section of this incredible new project. 

Oh, but I did manage to paint  hydrangeas ever so briefly. To relax in between all the excitement going on! Hence the above image and the images below.

Hydrangea 

Close up of a section of the painting above. Beautiful blooms and smashing individual petals to develop as the painting evolves in the creative process.

A painting within a painting. This section of my new hydrangea floral painting of hydrangea is almost complete. I love this piece so much that I am in no race to finish it.

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Artists Tip for the Day?

Take each day as it comes, be flexible and enjoy what happens as it happens!

The Artist Magazine July Issue 2015

Extract from my new book

Jean Haines World of Watercolour

In "The Artist Magazine" July issue 2015

It was wonderful this morning receiving my copy of the July issue of The Artist magazine to see an extract of my new book "Jean Haines World of Watercolour" included.

The feature gives focus to my strategy for development as an artist. I strongly believe we often fall into the trap of putting emphasis on learning from others when at times our best teachers can actually be ourselves. We are the ones who push ourselves ( or not! ) to improve, to reach goals and place a value on our work. Whether it is simply to paint a recognisable subject or move to a completely new style. We are the only ones who really know what we are aiming for or wish to achieve when we look at a blank piece of paper and begin to paint on it. 

I have found it invaluable as an exercise to return to paintings I did years ago and see whether I prefer how I would paint them now, to in the past. I can ask myself  " Have I grown as an artist? ".  I can see colours or techniques that I may have preferred in past work and compare them to learn why I changed my mind over the years to the new ideas I use now. I can also see if I have stood still in skill level or spread my wings.

So this chapter is about learning and developing. It is also a fabulous insight into how I paint portraits when I am adding faces to figures in landscapes.

It is one of my favourite chapters so I am thrilled to see it in this months issue of the Artist magazine which is packed with many other fantastic features. A must have magazine for summer reading and inspiration.

"The Market Seller"  was inspired by my time living in Dubai. And is a fascinating memory of my time there visiting souks and seeing incredible sights that were totally paintable and wonderful. This is a favourite character that I have painted many times.

"The Market Seller"

From

Jean Haines World of Watercolour

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Paintings' from my latest book will be exhibited in September this year. More details will follow in another blog post.

For now, anyone interested in this chapter or painting portraits can find more information on my latest book which can be purchased via this link.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-World-Watercolour/dp/1782210393

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Exciting News : New Book Release!

Jean Haines World of Watercolour

Now in stock!

I am thrilled to share the news that my new book is now in stock with Amazon.com. And the first copy has already been received. Wow! I heard the news on Facebook this morning so everyone who pre- ordered a copy should be receiving their  copies very soon.

I'm going to confess the other side to my writing books. I love writing them and work so hard to include as many tips and interesting step by steps as possible, with easy to follow dialogue. I always feel exhilarated when I have completed each book but then I go through a very weird stage of not wanting to let it go. I have been at that stage for a few months waiting for this new publication to be printed.

And now its' out there in the world and I have to let it go. And keep my fingers crossed that it is enjoyed. 

I have to say a huge thank you to everyone who has not only bought a copy. But to everyone who has supported me so wonderfully over the years. I have amazing friends who I am so very lucky to know. I have artist friendss who have been on my workshops since I first started teaching, many of whom are successful in their own careers now. Which is what sharing art is all about. Helping others grow and learning as much as we can on our own journies. I still feel very much like the new artist who simply paints because I enjoy painting. In my wildest dreams I never imagined years ago that I would have one book published on watercolour. Yet alone three. And I suppose I should be relaxed about it all by now but I find this totally overwhelming.

When I travel to hold workshops abroad I find it incredible that artists are  looking forward to meeting me. I find it humbling and terrifying at the same time that my way of teaching and painting seems to be so popular. But I don't take this  for granted at all. I am just very grateful for every single person who is with me on my journey. In my mind I am only just starting but having a fantastic time.

So again. A huge thank you for reading this,for  following my blog and for being with me each step of the way because without you I wouldn't be here sharing my love for watercolour.

Thank you!

My book can be purchased from Amazon.com via this link.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jean-Haines-World-Watercolour/dp/1782210393

Everyone attending Patchings Art Festival this year can also purchase copies there to be signed and I will be celebrating at the Manor Hotel over a cream tea,demonstration and talk with a smaller more personal group. For which tickets can be purchased here.

http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jean-haines-demonstrates-her-world-of-watercolour-for-you-together-with-afternoon-tea-tickets-15436255255

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Jean Haines World Of Watercolour : New Book 2015

Paintings and Contact Sheets from my new book which will be launched next year.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent me messages following my blog post on completing the last chapter of my new book. I was so  surprised and taken aback by the kindness of everyone who had not only read my blog post but obviously understood how emotional I felt at the time knowing I had written the last words of the last chapter, which were forwarded to my publisher.

Last week became even more emotional as I have now also sent all of my paintings from my new book to my publisher to be professionally photographed to go with the  written text.

I write my books as if I was in a room full of artists and imagine I am either demonstrating or explaining why I make the decisions on my colour choices or techniques. I also imagine sitting in  the room and listening to myself. I ask myself what I would like to learn most from a book on watercolour and how each new chapter could help my own growth as an artist. I am quite tough on myself in that unless each page is fascinating it isn't worthy of being printed! And I have loved writing this new book so very much that I am genuinely sad this part of the books' journey is over. The creative side of putting it together and compiling all the information  that I wished to share.

So having read and re-read each new page of my next publication I then went through each painting, no matter how small and checked if it had instructional or inspirational value. The emotional time came when I knew there would be no room for any more illustrations and my book was 100% complete.

As I was really busy last week I arranged for a courier to collect all the art work from my studio and deliver it to my publishers head office. Here it will be  photographed then placed with the text lay out for printing to be organised.  I will now be waiting eagerly for  the first proof to arrive. This will not be in a book form. It will simply be loose paper in the sequence of the chapters so I can see how it will look before the final printing procedure gets under way.

This will be my very last chance to make any changes.

It is a time of anticipation and dare I say, nerves!

In my mind I think I know what my new book will look like but from my computer screen to the holding real thing is a massive leap!

I will keep updating my blog with news of this process as so many  readers have let me know they are enjoying this side of my book, watching it come from the birth of an idea to the finished article. 

And I will confess, it is wonderful to know I am not alone while waiting!

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