In Love With Spring

Primrose painting as a work in progress.

The problem with writing a new book is that I have some really fascinating completed paintings which I am absolutely bursting to share on my blog. But if I do, readers of my new book won't have any surprises. So I am keeping work from this new exciting publication hidden from view completely at the moment. Now, having confessed on many occasions that I am useless at keeping secrets you may understand how hard this is for me. I complete a painting and immediately want to share it on my blog.

I can't which is so frustrating!

But the good news is my new book is beginning to come to life and look fantastic. It is making me really examine how I usually paint, and it is making me think and see very clearly how I can improve my work. So much so that this weeks' paintings are singing, full of life , light and energy. I am thrilled.

The feeling each morning of racing to create is exhilarating. I am loving it. So for the time being I am turning into a recluse hiding in my studio and working very hard, writing and thinking of new ways to create, making sure each new chapter is easy to follow, is inspirational and gets readers racing for their brushes too. As  they read my next book. A very nice problem is , my new book is having this effect on me too. I can't stop painting. I am sleeping dreaming about painting and I am waking eager to see if my ideas work!

This is such a terrific life, being able to live with the eyes of an artist, the enthusiasm of an inquisitive child, and the zest  for adventure often found only in the very brave.

My sense of excitement right now should be leaping off my post as I am really so very, very happy.

Back to painting for me but I will share news of my workshops soon!

The primroses , seen above were painted in my cottage garden this afternoon. I grabbed a scrap pf paper and sat down to play with colour to unwind after a full day.   I am really pleased with the result so far. I just need to complete it!

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Primroses in Watercolour 2017

"Tumbling Clusters"

Primroses in Watercolour 2017 

( Copyright Jean Haines )

Its' Spring and my heart is singing with the colours of the season. Primroses are flowering early in my cottage garden so I have managed to pick a few and paint them but in the warmth of my studio rather than outside in the cold.

Every year I paint primroses but this year there is an added excitement about my aiming to capture them in watercolour. I have time to paint on my own, discovering what I can achieve if I give myself the rare luxury of creating minus distractions of constantly teaching, travelling or giving presentations. Although I will be on tour in USA as from next week.

I decided this was my year. My time to paint alone and work, aiming to improve my own techniques so that I have more to offer when I am teaching and that luxury of  time for me has been worth it. Which is wonderful considering it is only January, the first month of the year.

I have so much to look forward to. So much to work on and so much to share as the months ahead pass.

This new painting of primroses,seen above, sings to my soul. It is exactly what I was aiming for. Before I leave my studio tonight I will be creating two large washes of floral scenes yet to be created and I cannot wait for the morning to see how they  have dried.

Giving ourselves new challenges, new subjects and new colours to try especially at the beginning of a new year is worth it because then we can work towards reaching our goals. By the end of this year I want to look back and see how far I have come. 

What about you? 

Artists Tips

1) Set yourself a goal of painting something you have painted before but try to better how you last painted it.

2) Give yourself the luxury of time to paint without distraction at least once a week.

3) Treat yourself to one new colour a month.

Happy painting!

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Adding Definition : Primroses in Watercolour

Detail added to yesterdays primrose painting

I am often amazed at how we wish our lives away. We long for Summer the minute Spring has arrived, yet we long for Spring during the Winter months. We are always looking ahead instead of savouring every minute in the here and now.

I find it is the same in my workshops when  some artists are working on a glorious painting that is going really well and they race to finish it, rather than savouring every single  gorgeous brushstroke.

I am never in a race with life or my work although I confess when each painting day comes to a close I can't wait for the next one. But that is a positive way to close each day. On a high and happily looking forward to repeating my joy in creating.

Last night I could easily have completed the above primrose painting as the flowers had no centres when I put my brushes down yesterday. But leaving this painting on my easel in its' unfinished state gave me something to look forward to. With fresh eyes this morning and new energy I am able to see what to add in the way of definition without the risk of overworking my piece.

Is it finished? I like it as it is but could work further in the background area. However adding further could lose the freshness in this Spring watercolour. When working loose there is always the risk of not having enough detail or adding far too much. As I am now at the crossroads  in decision making I will leave this lovely floral painting on my easel for now, and work on the second primrose composition I have on the go. Then compare the two.

Artist tip for the day?

1) Don't race your work. Enjoy every brush stroke rather than  hurtling towards the destination of a finished painting, which could be full of missed choices and opportunities simply because you raced the creative process.

2) Stand back and look at your work  before adding detail. Let the unfinished painting guide your next move by it telling you what it needs.

3) Place a mount around your work and study where and what colour may add life or detract from your result so far.

But most importantly.

Enjoy painting!

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Spring, Glorious Spring : Primroses 2015

  Primroses. Work in progress

Having seen so many wonderful paintings at the Woking Art Society whilst on the selection panel this morning I couldn't wait to race home to my studio to paint. Dotted along country lanes, beautiful creamy primroses are in full flower at the moment and its' impossible to ignore their beauty.

I knew I would be painting them the minute I could get into my studio and I was!

I am working from life but as its' raining outside, on and off, this afternoon I have had to give in and  surrender to the warmth of my studio. 

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Standing Out From the Crowd

Following on from my earlier blog post about being on the exhibition selection panel. Think about submitting to an exhibition and take on board this train of thought. Lets' imagine that there are several artists that you know who are submitting a similar subject to yours. How could you make your painting stand out from the crowd?

One of the easiest ways to be unique is by simple colour combinations. For example look at the two paintings of primroses below. One painting has the more expected yellow and green colour combination with a hint of a blue sky in the upper background. This is more accurate in that I am painting what I see directly. But think about that for a minute. So is everyone else!

The expected and the subtle not quite so expected!

My other painting has a touch of Opera Rose in the background. Now I know I'm not seeing pink when I look at the primroses in my garden but I want my painting results to be unique! Simple changes, can make all the difference, no matter how small they may be.

 Think about how you can make your work stand out from the crowd and have fun doing so.

And if you are submitting to any art shows this year, please don't worry or be down hearted if you are not selected. Sometimes selection  really is all about wall space or too many paintings of the same subject being handed in.  Or maybe you do need to improve your skills but doesn't everyone? We all keep improving. Thats' what makes painting so exciting, having a goal to aim for.  Finally, enjoy painting and do your best by painting in a way that makes YOU happy. Because at the end of the day you are your best judge! Trust me!

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Almost Spring

"Almost Spring"

Primroses in Watercolour

This week sees the first of my 2015 watercolour workshops in UK and they are fully booked. I must admit I'm eager  for tomorrow to arrive. I think by now everyone knows I adore sharing my passion for working in watercolour and as each year passes my love for this medium seems to grow even stronger. And I never imagined that would be possible. But it obviously is.

To every artist attending, I can't wait to see you. And to those unable to attend my sessions I hope to share some exciting blog posts that are full of inspiration when the courses are over.

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Spring Appears 2013

 Spring coming to life on my easel

Easter 2013

I have been visiting my studio every day and quietly collecting colour for a collection of Spring Florals. Taking my lovely dog Bailey for a walk I often see nature at its' best in nearby woodland. But at this time of year my own cottage garden is beginning to come to life.  In my studio I also have a box  full of gorgeous new shades given to me to try by a fantastic watercolour company. As my workshops start next week I thought I would look at which ones are best to portray "Spring".

I have always mixed my own greens until recently but now I find I am loving the  fabulous shades available. This section of primroses shows how valuable a selection of pigments at hand on your palette can be.  I am still heavily influenced by Madame Blanche Odins work in watercolour and feel this corner of the larger painting is definitely an area where my mind wandered to thinking how she would have painted had she still been alive.  

 

 Fabulous section of primroses with soft and hard edges.

"A painting within a painting" J.H.

 You see I am gaining such intricate patterns in my results but  I am still being totally true to watercolour as a medium by not using additional acrylics or inks. And by consistently experimenting I am finding even more beauty held within this challenging and magical medium. I haven't used salt or cling film on this painting as I am deliberately setting out to see how varied I can create the appearance of texture minus any aids.

 I have two paintings now side by side on my easel, as I have worked on them at the same time. One I decided was to be heavy in colour, with many layers gradually built up using opaques quite thickly in places. As a contrast to the softer upper section of the same composition where the flowers are in sunlight. The second painting is softer and full of Spring light. This so far is my favourite of the two although the drama on the heavier piece does have huge impact when seen from a distance.

 Different paintings with different moods of the same subject

Primrose clusters

I left the two paintings upright on my easel for easier photography shots and walked in this morning to a heavenly sight. Two paintings that are almost complete, bar a little definition in places.

What a great way to start the day!

Artists Tips: 

1) Do try new shades as often as possible. Its' like going on holiday and adds to the excitement of working in watercolour. 

2) Be brave and aim to stay working purely with the medium minus  additions of other products. This way your results will sing with life and energy and give viewers who look at your finished results the knowledge that you can work in what is classed as the most challenging of mediums.

Primroses in Watercolour

Spring 2011

Primroses appearing from a gentle wash of Spring  colours.

In between large paintings this week I have enjoyed adding a few touches to my first painting of primroses this year. Every so often I take a break and look at this piece to see where a touch of colour or an additional brushstroke will make a difference. I can now see many new flowers in the wash,some want defintion and some need to be left as hints of  petals. It really is a very enjoyable piece to work on and as this painting develops I can feel how wonderful it may look in a frame in my cottage.I rarely seem to have any of my own paintings these days so my heart is letting me know this could be one I should keep!

I really am enjoying the profile of the primroses on the left so this area could very well be complete.

Only time will tell.

Profile of primrose cluster.

There is such a wonderful feeling of light and warmth in this  watercolour. Each minute spent  creating it is sheer bliss. It is relaxing,peaceful and full of the magic of springtime bursting with new life and energy. Every now and then as an artist you have one painting that seems to have that extra ingredient that makes it special. This is one of those paintings and I really don't want the creative journey with it to come to an end.

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Primroses Galore!

It is incredible. At this time of year painting from life usually means trips to the florists to buy early Spring flowers but in my garden I have primroses already. In January!  I shouldn't be surprised as there were a few small flowers out in December also before the heavy snowfall. Determined to show their beauty they have wisely waited until the snow disappeared before attempting to show their faces again. Maybe they understood how desperately I wanted to paint them. And here they are

Primroses emerging after winter months.

It really is interesting how the colour of the season is affecting my palette. Usually I would paint primroses surRounded by soft light colours. But because these are out in winter the combination of shades I am selecting is completely different and to be honest I quite like it.

For now!

Many visitors to my studio or workshops  imagine my loose style means my work appears quickly. It can at times but great thought goes behind every single brushstroke especially with delicate flowers such as these.The soft hues are vital to creating a sense of the delicate petals.  The form for each flower has to be accurate or suggest that it is. This takes a lot of time and patience. There are no pencil lines to guide me so I ofren see new flowers appearing which I work on as the painting develops.

This is my style and my technique.

Each petal is carefully positioned and  brought to life with subtle colour combinations.  

Patience and a good understanding of the subject is necessary for good results.
Madame Blanch Odins work is influencing me yet again. Her influence is very apparent in this painting.

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 I am learning so much from nature. In the garden these  pretty flowers were planted deliberately in rows. They look beautiful but planned. This doesn't suit them or me! As a keen gardener I often combine spring flowers in beds so that the colours create a feeling of excitement and continual interest. So my previous painting of primroses with muscari is a good example of garden design affecting the artists eye and vice versa. I plant for my art, I plant for inspiration and  to allow me always to have colour in my life.

    Primroses and Muscari . a Spring Combination.

For me the most magical way to see primroses in in the wild. Along country lanes, footpaths and  nearby woodland when walks turn into exciting  treats for the eyes as the very first buds appear.They grow in random clumps,unplanned with no deliberate design. Just flowers growing wherever they wish splattering colour  all over the place brightening up the world in a way that only nature can.

Seeds carried by the wind just like pigment carried by water settle at will.

So why as artists do we set out to plan our paintings?

Why do we spend  too much time deliberately working out which colour goes where for the best results? When nature seems to do everything naturally having gorgeous happy accidents of colour combinations that are often unexpected.

Watercolour is a medium with magical qualities so working in a spontaneous  technique allows it to shine in its full glory.

Maybe I have answered the question to why I adore watercolour so much. I am a free spirit. I adore surprises and  working with watercolour minus the use of that word "control". I throw rules out of the window and enjoy the sheer pleasure in witnessing subjects come to life in my paintings as if my magic.

Exploring  new wonderful colour combinations daily often leaves me almost breathless with excitement.

Beautiful primroses growing wild and free forming a wonderful flow of colour.

This last primrose painting sings to me. I have  caught the flowers in their natural habitat surrounded by the debris of Autumn leaves with a hint of the future spring skies to come in the bright blue background.

I am happy, my mood is light and this is flowing into my work.

This painting holds so much in the way of hope for a wonderful year ahead, a year full of amazing paintings and hope for all around me to feel  great happniess.

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