Watercolours With Life: Meerkat Mania

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Meerkat Mania Continues

Meerkat " Sergei"

In UK there are TV adverts which have made meerkats even more popular. The entertatining series has seen one of the main characters " Sergei" in many comical situations and these were discussed with much laughter during one of my workshops last week.

I love to have paintings on the go that are purely fun to work on as a distraction from my main exhibition pieces.These often lead to other new series of watercolours in their own right as ideas come to fruition,especially in compositions that work well.

My own main meerkat character, seen above, seems to be eagerly looking at something and smiling in one of my paintings. So I thought I would share him on my blog. When you paint subjects that make you smile it certainly helps set your mood for the day ahead of you.

Meerkats could be my next addiction as subjects to paint,time will tell!

Monday, 30 July 2012

Meerkat Mania

Meerkats coming to life from last weeks workshops.

I loved last week. I met incredible people every day on my watercoour workshops and I am still reading lovely messages by email from artists who attended, who loved each day too.

So for the group who watched and laughed as meerkats started forming in a first wash without any hints of detail here is " Sergei" with his friends in Meerkat Manor. The party has definitely just started as these three meerkats are the first to arrive. How many will make an appearance I have no idea!

I promised to share a few pieces to keep your brushes moving and to keep you inspired long after the workshop sessions were finished.

I hope you are keeping those exercises at the top of your to do list and I will continue to share my "inspirations" here!

And to the lovely artist who let me know they missed me when I was away teaching,

I'm back!

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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."