Painting From Life: Sweet Pea in Watercolour

Painting From Life

And learning from it too!

Sweet Pea Flowers developing from a first wash in watercolour

I have had the most glorious of weekends. On Saturday despite the  weather which was extremely wet we went to the local horticultural show. I have heard so much about this event and as friends and neighbours were entering I eagerly arrived to see the awards for the various different categories in the show.

It was amazing.  Set in the grounds around a huge marquee were wonderful stalls selling cakes and plants etc to raise funds for a number of charities. As with all villages there are the regular people who always attend and new comers. As new arrivals to the community this was our first year at what has become a well respected highlight of the year.

I wandered around the vegetable section and was amazed at the display of carrots,beetroots,onions and broad beans to name but a few catagories.The aim is for each entrant to show three vegetables of exactly the same size, quality and shape. Looking at the many rosettes awarded it was evident that there were indeed some very serious vegetable growers in the village. Coveted prizes were sought after but somehow I don't feel I will be racing to submit my three carrots or beetroots next year. They would reach our table long before they made it to the marquee!.

However my head was turned the minute I saw the flower arrangements and displays. They were stunning. I loved them all but amongst the line up was a fabulous collection of sweet pea.Their scent filled the air and it has been impossible to think of anything else until I could capture them in watercolour.

Misty illusions in watercolour of soft gentle blooms 

And a flower from my garden.

I picked a few  flowers from my own garden and this morning as part of my warm up art exercises painted a few sprigs, just to collect and calm my thoughts from the hectic few weeks that have just passed. I looked at the sweet flowers in the small glass vase I was working from and smiled. My flowers are not all the same size, not all the same colour and definitely not show standard. But I love them. Maybe I adore them so much because they are most definitely not perfect!

When I paint them, my flowers will be varied in size, arrangement and colour.This is how I work as I enjoy searching for the unusual way to compose a painting rather than the expected.

Sweet Pea flower coming to life in a watercolour painting.

There are times in life when we do have to follow rules as in a horticultural show.

How wonderful though to work with watercolour and in a way that throws all rules out of the window. I don't have to paint blue skies, or perfect washes and obviously accepted compositions,those that are tried and true.

But how brilliant to see how others enjoy life and understand their passion. It is this emotion that keeps our hearts young and our lives so rich.

How lucky we are!

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The Artist Magazine Feature: August 2011

Some time ago I was invited to write a feature for the Artist Magazine. I had just filmed my first DVD " Amazing Ways With Watercolour" with Town House Films and happily agreed. I am delighted to share the news that my feature after months of my finding time to write it in my already  very heavy art schedule will be in the August issue of  The Artist Magazine. It was one I thoroughly enjoyed compiling. I hope readers of this wonderful magazine  enjoy  it.

Please don't miss this issue!

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Summer Time

Summer Inspiration.

 

A burst of Summer colour.

 

I can never understand artists who always paint from photographs.There is so much to learn from painting from life.Colour, shadow, composition. During the next few months I will be making the most of the gorgeous flowers in our garden,using them as subjects,watching how they interact with each other,makiung notes of petal shapes and observing how light effects each one.

Whatever I paint now in sunshine will have a fantastic effect on my work this Winter. So taking time to learn from nature is really wise.

Still Life Inspiration : July Challenge 2011

Still Life Inspiration

Flowers from my garden

I am receiving so many emails  letting me know I am missed on my blog and I really am so touched by such fantastic comments on how much my blog is enjoyed. I have no workshops coming up as I am working hard on my second book on watercolour at the moment.

Yesterday I picked a few flowers from my garden to make a posy to sit in my living room. As I looked at it throughout the day I imagined how I would paint the collection of  flowers, the pretty composiution and the  beautiful colours. I could see so much in this  arrangement that I knew I had a wonderful composition on my hands for a terrific painting.  While many artists would keep the idea for themselves  I thought I would throw the challenge your way as well and see if this  inspires you to move your brushes.

If it does please email me your finished painting as I would love to see it.

What do I think of when I look at this? I see light first of all, I see delicate petals. I see a sense of movement because I know each flower head would move in the breeze if it was  in the garden still. I fel an urge to rtace for my favourite  shade of Opera Rose!

What to do you see?

If you are lost at what to paint today have a go at my still life challenge.

I dare you!

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Copyright Issue Update.

Bearded Collies Appearing from a Wash in Watercolour

I have to give credit where credit is due. This afternoon I have finally heard from the artist  who had shown copies of my work online and for sale. They sent an apology and immediately removed  paintings that were alike to mine from their web site. In return I have sent them a reply thanking them for their words and action.

I have had time to reflect on the whole process. From first seeing the copies of my work online to the action I finally decided to take. And the positive result. Many of us may walk away when we see our own work copied and yet we feel anger for a friend if we see their paintings abused.  In this situation several artists had contacted me. To the point I knew I had to act.  I was being asked for advise on what to do when this happens. I could not respond with "forget it".  I would have been letting others down who follow my lead.

As artists we have to  face facts. Not everyone is honest or going to own up to copying. Not everyone is going to take action by removing the offending art.  Most definitely, not everyone will consider sending an apology.  And there will always be cases when artists didn't realise they were causing offence by sharing what wasn't their own creation.

We are not all perfect and we do all make mistakes. Which is why we need to be forgiving when we need to be. And both compassionate and understanding. We should save emotions of anger for those who do not communicate,act respectfully or pass the credit to those who truly deserve it.

Todays message has renewed my faith in the art world. A gracious reply letting me know the copied paintings would be removed immediately  came. The paintings have indeed been removed. And all this took place with  kindly worded communication.

This chain of events could have been very different. It could have been stressful and very upsetting  for everyone involved. But no. Two artists communicated.

Yes , a judgement in error was made on what is, and what is not copying. And what should or should not be for sale. But I certainly am not going to hold any grudges. In fact, quite the opposite because this is the very first time I have met someone who cares enough and has the guts to admit they made a mistake. And who cares enough to take action.

I wish more artists could behave as graciously as this one has. I know one or two who could really learn a lesson from following their lead. And be far better people for having done so.

In fact,when my next book is out I will be sending the artist concerned a signed copy.

Why? 

Because they really have shown me a good side to the art world. One that I had lost a little faith in.

So to them I am going to say........

Thank you. 

Thank you for your apology, action and honesty in admitting you  made a mistake.

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Copyright Issues

"Simply Amazing"

The cover and cover painting from my DVD " Amazing ways with watercolour"

Sadly this week the issue of copyright has arisen yet again. Every artist I know dreads this topic coming up. Firstly we all love painting, for those of us who teach and share our techniques we want everyone else to love painting too. To copy an original painting as a method of learning is a way of evolving and growing as an artist. A road to discovery many of us have taken and one that has been well known and used successfully for centuries.We are inspired by those who paint in a way we would wish to.

But  there is a line between copying to learn and copying to sell. When anyone copies another artists work and then decides to sell it as their own they are without question  abusing the original artists copyright. 

I have come across this issue before and always wish to run away from it rather than face the situation. I know from personal experience that speaking up  to someone who has blatantly copied your work can lead to  unpleasant communication. I  have come to terms with the fact it is far easier to turn a blind eye and ignore what has happened. And so like many artists when I see an obvious copy of my work I ignore it. But is this helping the art world? There  is a possibility that if we all turn a blind eye the copying situation will become far worse.

You may ask "Who cares?" " If someone is making  a little money from copying you is it really a big deal?"  Shouldn't we all just say "Thats fine, copy my work and pretend it's your own, I don't mind" ?

I don't think so because we are then not teaching right from wrong.

To sell as an artist you need your own work, your own ideas and your own creations.

If an artist is learning from my style I am thrilled, if they mention I have inspired them I am very touched for their kind gesture. If I see someone blatantly trying to sell a copy of my work I walk away. Or I used to until I listened to several professional and non professional artists this week who have felt concerned and upset over the increasing problem. 

Firstly,an instructional DVD or book is just that. Instructional.

 There should be no need to remind everyone that a teaching aid is purely for learning from. So when several artists told me this week that paintings from both my web site and DVD are being sold online by an artist as their own I was lost on how to react. Speak up or stay quiet? I chose to stay quiet but by doing so I am aiding those who upset others by copying.

 Everyone should know by now that original paintings online,on web sites, in books and on DVDs  should not be copied and sold by other artists. If we all united and spoke up via the internet we may once and for all put an end to this discussion. We have the voice and right to say no. Enough is enough. If we all openly reacted copying artists may think twice about selling another artists work.

Now you may ask, will I be sharing the recent copies of my work here on my blog? Or share a link to the copying artists site?  I ask myself if that would be unfair to the copying artist.

I think I will give them more respect than they have shown me.

For now!

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I will be posting more on this subject in the near future.

"How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" Sells out at the Mall Galleries in London!

"How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour"

Mall Galleries, London

SOLD OUT!

"How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour  "

by Jean Haines

During my  watercolour demonstrations at the Mall Galleries in London yesterday I was so happy to be asked to sign copies of my book " How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour". The feedback I have received  about my first book has been overwhelming, positive and really enthusiastic which is helping me write my second book to be launched next year. At the moment this second books' evolvement feels as though I am holding a wonderful secret and Christmas gift all rolled up into one in my heart until it is finally published and shared.

When I arrived at the Mall Galleries in London yesterday I was thrilled to see stocks of my book " How to Paint Colour and Light in Watercolour" on show and posters advertising my demonstrations there. I knew I had signed many copies during the day but was thrilled and surprised to learn that all the copies had sold that day. Even my card designs  for sale during the SWA Society for Women Artists  150th Annual Exhibition had almost sold out.

The Mall Galleries have informed me that they will be ordering more books and although they may not be in the gallery shop before the end of the exhibition they will be back on sale there very soon so if you are in London please know more are on the way !

Thank you so much to everyone who bought a copy of my book, who have written a fabulous review and who have shared my joy in becoming an author for the first time. I am  desperately now working on completeing the second book and making it as exciting as possible. With new ideas and techniques to try.

What an incredible week!

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The Society for Women Artists 150th Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London runs until the end of this week so please visit if you haven't already done so. It is an amazing  exhibition with some of the finest leading female artists art amongts the collection.