Missing

I am so sorry to be  so quiet on my blog. I have been hit by a rather awful strain of flu which has really knocked me sideways. But I am so lucky.  Earlier this week I needed to ensure all the artwork for my new book was complete and forwarded to my publishers.So on Wednesday a courier collected  all my paintings and left to head for the  photography studio where they would be filmed.

I didn't feel well that morning and as the day continued I began to feel feverish . Things gradually became worse by Thursday.  I very rarely give in to any form of illness,in fact I can't even remember the last time I even had a cold as I am always so healthy. My liftestyle lends itself to being well.

 I haven't felt like or up to being online. My own computer is in my studio and all the Bailey Challenge paintings are on it.This has been a real worry to me this last few days as I am eager to share the favourite paintings  on my blog but I have been unable to get to them.

Things are improving so the challenge posts will be up soon.

I am so sorry for the delay.

I read my own last post of  " Injections of Positivity" and had to smile. Even having flu is a "positive" because no matter how awful it is or how badly it effects you someone,somewhere would give aanything to "only" have the flu. And if this had happened in a few weeks time when I will be hosting my Autumn workshops I would have had to let many artists down as I feel so weak.

I am very lucky.

I will be posting again very soon and I am very sorry not to be posting.

Jean.

Injections Of Positivity

You Can!

Injections Of Positivity

I don't have room in my life for negativity. In fact I always surround myself with positivity and kindness. I have met only a handful of people in my lifetime who I have to admit are not good for me to be around. Sad as it is, sometimes like weeding a garden you have to know when to make decsions that improve your whole life as picture. The saying " life is too short" is very true so I make the most of every single minute.

My world is full of warmth and I wake each day looking ahead to what is about to happen.Whether it is a morning walk with my dog, seeing friends and family or moving my brush. Whatever I do today is going to be something I look back on and smile. Even the smallest task can be one that creates a feeling of achievement.

So many people tell me they wish they could bottle my energy, positive attitude and enthusiasm and sell it. In a way I do just that when I hold workshops or write books. I give away how I feel. I encourage everyone to be the best they can be and reach for their dreams. I am convinced these only come true if you believe they will and want them badly enough.

I am told I am inspirational and yet I just do what I love doing daily. And that isn't a difficult thing to achieve.

Positive thoughts bring positive outcomes.

Negative thoughts hold you back in so many ways.

So if you are picking up your brushes today before you start moving them think  and believe these few words.

"I can paint"

You can.

The only person who doesn't believe that is you!

That is my " Positive Injection" for the day and it didn't hurt at all did it?

****************

My New Book Update

The best "secrets"hidden within pages.

My heart is litreally skipping beats this week. I am going to share how I am feeling while I am so emotional this morning because I feel it is a vital part of this new books journey and my time as an author.

I leap from one  thrilling moment to the next as the final chapters of my next book are falling into place. I have locked myself in my studio typing and painting for the last few months. However this week the tesnion and excitement has built up more than ever. Now I am working from the "contact sheets" for the many demonstrations in my new publication. These contain all the mages from the photography session arranged by my publishers the week before last. The very last paintings will leave my studio on Thursday morning and after that time there is  no more chance to add more or change the contents artwise.

"The dream team"

We work so well together that everything falls into place naturally.

I love these very special visits to the photography studio.

It takes a wonderful team to get the exact sequence of photographs together to make a successful demonstration come to life in a book. It is a skill which is hard to understand unless you have witnessed the photography session tak eplace as so much is involved. I am now used to standing to the side moving my arm so the exact shot can be given while I am working. The idea of a successful art book is to give every single step in a paintings progress clearly so that it is easy to follow.  I planned well in advance how to use these days and knew what I wanted to demonstrate. There are many gorgeous  and intriguing step by steps in this  new book!

The fun part of the shoot was taking hundreds of photographs. And painting of course!

Image Selection

Since the contact sheets arrived at my home studio I am going very carefully through every single image. I need to choose which one portrays what I am trying to demonstrate and get the reader to that point with me.  It isn't always a case of  how great the painting looks as much as the position o fmy brush in each if I am  talking about brushwork or colour additions for example. So it is very time consuming but has to be 100% accurate.

Text Decisions

Each of these images needs text to explain what is happening in each shot. And directions for readers to follow my every step. This  is wonderful as i feel as though I am on my own workshop and I am gaining as much as a reader would which I feel is such a fabulous position to be in. My own techniques are improving due to my thinking so much about what I am trying to say in each demonstration.

Chapters Building Up Excitement.

Next came the inrtoduction chapters to each  demonstration and the explanation as to why they are taking place. The book reads like a beautiful piece of music which started just like an orchestral overture. The  first chapters lead you into  a faster tempo page by page and at the final section my brush is moving as if sparks will from it at any moment!. So much so I can't put my brush down recently.Maybe that is a worry,maybe I should find a way to  include a "stop swtich" to take breaks from time to time as this is so addictive as a "read"!

Growing Enthusiasm and Adrenalin Rushes

I am now in the most exciting part of the  conclusive chapters and I have never felt my adrenalin racing as much as it has this week. The strange thing is,when I wrote my first book I felt I improved as an artist. But I look back at my first edition and only now understand how much I needed to improve and how that very first leap into writing has changed my way of thinking. I thought I was already excited about painting in watercolour but my new book is taking me to far higher and exciting levels as an artist. My knowledge has grown which has increased my enthusiasm greatly and I thought that was impossible.

Injections Of Positivity?

Within the pages of this new book is I feel an injection of positivity. A huge boost of confidence and the permission to believe you can not only paint but you are amazing at doing so.

Hit by the "Jean Haines" Bug!

I need to leave my computer right now and get back to working on my book because writing it and reading it are really making me feel wonderfully positive!

I hope it has that effect on you too when you read it next year!

*****************

October 2011 Watercolour Challenge?

Colours of Autumn.

Please don't panic! I am NOT asking you to paint this photograph!

In April 2012,  I am holding my first two day "Motivational Masterclass" which involves preparation by the group before the workshop takes place. Over the evening meal on day one I will be meeting the artists attending and enjoying the time together away from our easels.

Before I  give you the subject for the October Challenge I would like you to do a little warm up exercise. Without even knowing what you are going to paint I would like you to think of glowing Autumn colours. Decide which are your favourite shades to work witjh to create a very warm result. You will need at least three strong favourites.

Now use them on a scrap of paper and get some wonderful texture results.

By the time I add the photograph here you should be raring to go and the subject is fantastic!

Homework set.

One more rule.

Have fun warming up!

*********************

September Watercolour Challenge 2011

                                                                 "Taking a Nap!"

I will be adding the  September 2011 Challenge paintings of Bailey to my blog  this weekend because this week is the deadline for all my own new paintings to be completed for my new book.They will leave my studio by courier to be delivered to my publishers on Thursday morning. After that  the final text and design discussions will take place. It is a very special time in the journey of creating a new publication. I am aware decisions I mak t his week are final so I do need to focus 100%.

Apart from working on my book I was  taken in by the number of submissions of Bailey paintings for the September challenge and the very high standard of each. There was not one painting I could instantly dismiss from selection as they were all  interesting in use of colour and brushwork. Many are unqiue with a strong sense of Baileys character in the gorgeous collections so its taking me longer to choose favourites!

I will be setting a new October  watercolour challenge on this weekend but one with a difference!

*********************

Watercolour Workshops 2012 Update

Thank you to everyone who has booked places so promptly on my next years watercolour workshop programme. As always  sessions have become fully booked very quickly. Here is an update to avoid disappointment for  those wishing for places on days that are already now closed. Workshops typed in RED still have places available at the moment.

February 2012 FULLY BOOKED

 There is a waiting list open so please contact me if you would like to be notified should place become available.

 Watercolours With Life  FULLY BOOKED

Beating the Blues    FULLY BOOKED

The Artist in You FULLY BOOKED

Full details of each session can be found on my web site. Dates,details of location and how to book a place on the waiting list for  any cancellations.

 ********************

April 2012

The waiting lists for these sessions are closed.

Watercolours With Life  FULLY BOOKED

 Animal Madness             FULLY BOOKED

Sensational Spring Flowers FULLY BOOKED

************************

* NEW Motivational Masterclass  Only a few places available at the moment.

April 11/12th  A new two day event for a small group dedicated artists £435

**************************

 The good news is I have just a few places left on the following few workshops but please be quick if you want to book!

June 2012 

Only a few places still available on the following three workshops.  

My new book will only just be out by then so these will be very unique.

One day workshops in Hampshire ,U.K.

Fee: £115 per day.

 5th June Watercolours with Life Summer Highly recommended for artists who are new to my workshops,this is a great session to get used to working with my techniques coveringmany subjects including summer flowers and your own personal requests and favourites.

6th June  Seeing Red  A new HOT sessions! bring all your favourite red shades and just see how we can add fire and drama to your results whilst putting new energy into your approach of working in watercolour.

7th June  Summertime and the living is easy  Think Ascot figures,hats and  holiday scenes with incredible textural backgrounds! A very full session filled with energetic ideas how  how to bring movement into your work  .

************************ 

Dedham Hall

One week course Two places available.

I have heard that only two places are now available  for my one week workshop at Dedham Hall next year. Please contact them as soon as possible if you are interested in a full weeks course on my techniques,style and looking at ways to create atmospheric results. A new favourite venue. As my new book will have been launched by then we will be looking at  the new techniques  and subjects covered included in the publication. 

Full details of all my workshops and how to book are available on my web site

www.jeanhaines.com

*************

I am aware next year is going to be a very exciting time to be included on any of my sessions because I will be really excited at the launch of my new book in 2012, So be warned you are going to have a very memorable time at each session!

Motivational Masterclass April 2012

Due to popular demand for my workshops next year I have agreed to hold a two day motivational masterclass which will take place in April 2012.

This will be for a very small group of dedicated artists and  places are on this session strictly limited.

NEWS UPDATE : Almost fully booked already!

Motivational Master Class with Jean Haines SWA

April 2012

‘An exclusive two day workshop aimed at the artist who wants more from their art.’

‘Discover a new style or develop your own, this is your opportunity to be included in a small group of dedicated artists who wish to widen their horizons, finesse their skills or improve their career. We will explore how to use the medium using many different techniques. The focus will be on stretching limits and leaping out of all comfort zones. You will leave feeling full of enthusiasm and energised to reach for the stars with your art.’

Jean will be setting some exercises as preparation work in advance of the class and will provide personal feedback and critiques with you during and following the session. Full information will be provided to you early in 2012 to allow you plenty of time to work towards this master class and achieve full benefit from this stimulating environment.

Fee £435

Please book via

jeanhaines@hotmail.com