Painting With Magic in the Brush

There are times when a subject draws you in. You feel the emotion.You see the finished painting almost as if in a dream.........I did with this piece. I dreamt about this one.

It was also a dream to lose myself in Celtic music and allow images,small faces  to appear as if truly by magic.

This piece needs no more words.............is it finished..........I may add more but the music singing to me as it  is  seems peaceful and very special.

"Odd One Out."

Painting with magic in my brushstrokes.

January 2010 Challenge

                                                 January 2010 Watercolour Challenge

A little while ago I promised a January Challenge and mentioned you wouldn't have to paint the subject.

The challenge was:-

1 ) SUBJECT : Choose a Christmas Ornament before you put them away or a subjecr from a Christmas card.

2) COLOUR : Next you were asked to choose the colours you would paint the subject but NOT paint it!

3)  IMAGINATION : NOW I would like you tp paint the outline of ONE side of your subject and then  paint the background on this side ONLY using colours of your subject! Do NOT add any dteail and see  what happens.

I haven't painted my subject which is  from life as I avoid working from photographs as much as possible unless I know the  form well.

So,can you guess what my subject is considering it isn't there?

More importantly can anyone guess what YOURS is  when YOU try the challenge.

Let me know how you get on and I will add more challenges throughout the year to help everyone lose their pencil and enjoy painting watercolours with life!

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Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award 2009

  "Looking Out." First cockerel watercolour of 2010

What a difference a year makes.

In 2009 I was elected to the SWA,Society of Women Artists as an Associate Member by handing in a collection of cockerel paintings. I was so thrilled when I heard  all four paintings were accepted in the Annual Exhibition but even more over the moon to hear I had won the Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award. I will never forget the presentation ceremony or the inspirational comments given to me by the SWA  and Anthony during the exhibition.

Over the last  twelve months I have wanted more from my art. I am a hard task master and I am aware I have a long way to go to achieve my goal of subjects actually jumping off the paper  in a way that creates a sense of movement but I feel my explorations in technique to be unsual and unique as an artist are getting somewhere. I am growing as an artist and my art is evolving. My energy along with never ending enthusiasm is my constant drive to  improve and please myself on how my work looks.

 I wonder if you feel a difference in movement between the latest cockerel paintingabove  finished this morning compared with the winning piece " Morning Calls " from last year.

"Morning Calls " SWA Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award 2009

My next painting looks so exciting already and my Spring Exhibition promises to be really full of life this year.And surprises.

Artist Tip: Set a goal of how you wish to improve and work towards it!

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Listen to the Artist.....


http://www.regallygraceful.com/see-the-world/

Less is More?

Whilst everyone thought I was painting daffodils and narcissi I was painting a huge number of subjects at the same time.This keeps my brain alive and actively aware of colour. If I work  on one subject there is a risk I may lose that spontaneous feeling that brings a subject to life in this technique.

I have to ask you a question............how much detail do we really need to tell a story? For example can you see clearly what this is and would adding any more to the painting make this  better? Of course this is a personal feeling but  one worth considering.

Elephant Study. Fifteen minute exercise

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Listen to the Artist.....


http://www.regallygraceful.com/see-the-world/

Three Days of Daffodils!

In the last three days I have created a collection of daffodil paintings and studies.When placed together I can see how loose expressive brushwork and a more relaxed approach is bringing them to life...........

Next I will be looking at ideas for composition and put all these explorations to full use!

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January 2010 Challenge Followers.

It's time to paint! I am adding the full exercise next!

Expressive Brushstrokes

I have had a wonderful Monday, working through emails,organising workshops and painting. I will add my 2010 workshop details later on.

For todays session I painted some serious pieces for my 2010 Spring Exhibition and  opened the day with snowdrops on a scrap of paper which was to be "aimed for the bin".  Just a quick warm up exercise. However the life in these already feels too good to waste so I may just turn this into a real painting!.

Simple Snowdrops: Warm Up Exercise, Study in Colour with loose,free Brushstrokes.

The idea of repetition in a warm up exercise before I start my  more serious painting is to get that " feel good factor" before I start my  main session. I know I can paint snowdrops and I love watching them appear. Just this simple five minute warm up gets me into a frame of mind that is peaceful and serene for my  larger paintings.

I worked on a variety of subjects throughout the day but closed the session with a treat for me. Have you tried this at all? Time yourself and see what you can come up with in fifteen minutes.You can't add detail as you haven't time,nor can you wait for sections to dry.You just have to keep going and stop when your time is up.

Freedom knowing you are painting for the bin relaxes you and your brain.

Here is my end of day  fifteen minute exercise.....and I am happy with it! I feel free and excited about painting tomorrow.......

"Spring Garden"

15 minutes,no preliminary sketch with expressive brushwork.

Fabriano 140 lbs Watercolour Paper

Winsor and Newton Shades.

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Tips: Practise a subject until you know it so well you can paint it easily.

Try a fifteen minute painting just for fun! The more you do  the better you get!

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http://www.regallygraceful.com/see-the-world/

See The World: Teleseminar 2010

A while ago I was contacted by a wonderful woman ,Guru Kaur who had come across my features in the SAA, Society for All Artists Paint Magazine. Communication followed and I was invited to be a guest for a teleseminar in 2010.


Last week I was interviewed for Regally Graceful Teleseminars.You can listen to the hour long seminar via the link in this post. It may help you get to know the artist behind these paintings a little better.


Could I suggest you get a cup of coffee or even paint while listening.

 See the World

A Regally Graceful Podcast with Jean Haines, renowned watercolour artist, about watercolour painting, the mind of an artist, and seeing (really seeing) the subtle beauty in our lives.

http://www.regallygraceful.com/see-the-world/