Watercolours With Life: Watercolour Faces

Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Magic Faces

Magic Faces.

When I lived in Dubai I used to teach at the Dubai International Arts Centre which at that time was in a beautiful location by the beach. I came into teaching purely because artists on workshops I attended there were fascinated by my approach and requested I taught workshops and art courses. As I already had teaching qualifications I fell into the role quite easily and enjoyed sharing my passion for watercolours with so many wonderful people. As my techniques grew along with my knowledge for the medium so did my classes.In each class I could always be heard saying " I see a face" when I looked at first washes which to others could simply have been seen as mere " blobs" of colour.

When I demonstrated at Yew Trees in Hampshire earlier this week the same thing happened. I was sharing ideas for starting a painting and also looking at how pigment works with water. A small amount of two colours merged and as they dried I saw the impression of a very interesting face. Behind me the class thought the face looked like the Shroud of Turin. They too could see it.

When I returned to my studio I added colour gently to where I saw the face appearing and a few details that I knew would bring the study to life so that I could share it on my blog and here it is.

Face Appearing from a simple drop of colour demonstration.

I couldn't resist the urge to age the gentleman so added a small white beard and moustache last night. I was returing to my time in Dubai by doing so and many happy memories flooded back to me.

"Wisdom in Years"

Seeing what is in front of your eyes and acting on it led me to painting this face.

I love painting faces. I always have. My " Magic Faces" as they came to be known by in Dubai soon became collectible selling well in galleries and ending up in homes all over the world. I may continue with this face but he has inspired me to paint others. Maybe I needed a nudge in this direction as it is where my heart lies. I am listening to what my beloved medium is telling me.

Out of interest maybe you would like to see exactly where the face first appeared from a smudge of colour. I was demonstrating how to start painting daffodils and muscari on a large piece of white paper. He " fell" into the middle.

Mystery man appearing amongst a flower demonstration.

I have a lovely reputation that when I take a workshop you never know exactly what will happen or what will appear. Even if you think you are only going to see animals or flowers!

Taking advantage of what the medium throws our way rather than aiming to continually control it really is a wonderful way to work.

This way magic can and DOES happen.

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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."