Exciting Colourful Experiments .

While I am working on serious collections for new exhibitions I am also writing  a second book. For me  my enthusiasm and passion is the drive behind my work.That feeling of always creating something new and finding even better ways to capture it on paper is a daily challenge that thrills me. I have excitement in each new idea with  the sense of childhood when you first see snow or eat chocolate! Imagine that glorious feeling.

I have workshops coming up where the emphasis will be very much on looking at ways to bring life into our paintings.Not simply gain a recognisable image but have viewers looking at our creations and saying " Wow"! Each artist attending the sessions  will leave inspired to paint non stop and this is my goal.

To close my painting session last night  I took several pieces of paper and  lay colourful washes on them.. The effects to me were stunning. I left my studio on a high and couldn't wait to see each one this morning.

 Vibrant Colour Experiment 1.

I used every colour on my palette and  literally took time to simply play and unwind from the days compositions for my next show. Like a child I just had fun and loved every minute of exploration!

 

I placed cling film on some sections and allowed them to dry overnight.

 This close up shows wonderful patterns suitable for leaves before the  wrap is removed.

 How many paintings did I work on in  almost thirty minutes?  I didn't count! I just had fun, great fun!

 One area of my studio from last nights fun session to end the days painting!

This morning I am greeted with a huge choice of which experiment to paint first and then  start on wonderful new large pieces of white paper to collate all my favourite ideas to create a magnificent centre piece for a show!

I am excited!

I have brilliant ideas for my new book also which these small experiments will play a tiny part in.  It is what happens next that makes these experiments sing and I cannot wait to move forward!

My favourite.........

I see primroses  bursting to life in Spring.This will be a thrilling painting when complete.

Life truly is wonderful when you remove all pressure to paint a masterpiece. Bringing an element of fun into your work  really does show in your results. Even if you focus on one serious painting what you do in bewteen painting it can boost your spirits and keep your work fresh, alive and exciting.

And I need to get writing while I am so motivated and flying high  on happiness from paintings full of colour,passion,energy and most of all love!

"If you love what you are doing it shows" J.H.

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More than Ordinary Watercolours.

It is amazing how one simple early morning walk can lead to a series of paintings on a whole new subject. I have been watching the countryside change as Spring nears. I love looking for the very first snowdrop which has been out for sometime now. And I love watching the very first catkins appear. They always remind me of lambs tails. Their colour in misty morning light is incredible if you take time to study them. But how do you paint them and make them seem a little bit more interesting than the early browns we so often see?

 First Catkins  in Early Morning Light.

N.B Notice the catkins that aren't even painted but are still magically there !

This painting was painted freely with no preliminary sketch and without the use of masking fluid.

I attempted painting this subject last year but  did not succeed in capturing the effect I wanted. Later in the year as they will become more attractive as they blossom. Then they will turn into soft fluffy catkins but at the moment they are tight long shapes that really hold hardly any interest to the artist. Or do they?

 Close up of light on the branch and catkin detail.

Everything I see fascinates me. I will study each shape with eager eyes looking for the light source. I will consider colour and imagine the wide variety of techniques I can use to bring everything to life on paper.

This year from writing my book and taking the time to absorb my own ideas I have looked at catkins again with fresh eyes. It is almost as if someone is removing a veil from my eyes. I can see not only what I want to paint but how I want the results to be unique. I am so excited at  where my journey in watercolour is leading me and thrilled to be able to share on this blog.

I carried a small twig home and painted from life. In this painting like no other before I feel an element of excitement in that I know exactly how to create drama in my next pieces. That feeling of something wonderful about to happen has hit my soul. I am awake, alive and the passion to create has never been stronger.

All from taking a few minutes to really look at one simple catkin!

Gorgeous  Negative Shape in the Background.

Chinese Brushwork plays a big part in this painting.  My time studying in China is really helping me progess as an artist with a slightly more unusual combination of styles.

Many of my paintings paint themselves. It really is true. From my washes and use of exciting colour combinations a form of magic takes over. Maybe I see differently, I don't know but I am so in love with life and watercolour.

And Spring isn't even fully here yet!

How wonderful to see as an artist.And how wonderful to live at this time when we can share our thoughts with the world via the internet.

We are really so very lucky!

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