Laura Wilson - Waterstones
December 2014
DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK Unless you want to be completely addicted to painting watercolours. I never buy art books as most are an ABC on how to paint a tree, landscape, vase of flowers and everyone who reads the book produces almost identical paintings. This book will not do that. Jean teaches you techniques that you can apply to your own style of painting, so you unlock the artist within you and develop and grow as an authentic artist in your own right. I have painted subjects I never dreamt I could paint before I read this book. Jean is such a charismatic person, her enthusiasm for her subject is contagious. So, if you buy this book and cannot concentrate on anything for thinking of painting, or can't sleep for the same reason, don't blame me, I did try and warn you! p.s. The first painting I did after learning Jean's techniques helped me secure my first exhibition!
Customer
Aug 12
WOW! is just a big understatement. Jean's latest book "Atmospheric Watercolors" is packed full of her gorgeous paintings which include florals, portraits, animals, street scenes and architecture as well as fabulous textures and stunning color palettes. Did I mention 'WOW?' I had a wonderful time, paging through the book, trying out some of Jean's techniques and following along with her step-by-step demos and lessons. She is not only a talented painter but a gifted instructor as well.-paintedheartstudio.blogspot.co.uk
Customer
Dear Jean, I am writing back to say I have now picked up Atmospheric Watercolours from the library - I had to wait for it to arrive in the country! I havent finished it yet but I love it already, and have ordered a copy of my own. It is hard to explain how wonderful your books are. It is partly your style of painting which is just amazing, and partly the way you write so enthusiastically. In any case I feel like I have found a way forward with my painting, and I am very excited about it!-Stephanie Parkes
Customer
Sept 12
Dear Jean, I felt that I had to contact you to express my gratitude for your book "Atmospheric Watercolours ". I have been struggling with watercolour for some time now without much success but after reading your book and trying out some of the exercises, I have managed to do some work that pleases me although I know I need a lot more practice. Thank you so much for the encouragement which your book gives!-Geri Bunting (retired teacher, Belfast )
Customer
Sept 12
Hi, Jean! I know you must read a lot of e-mails about your latest book, Atmospheric Watercolours, but I had to send you at least one more thanks for such a great book and inspiration!!!! I never took you seriously when I read, "If you don't wish to be addicted to watercolour as I am, now is the time to escape." I feel like the flood gates have been opened and I can't stop painting just one more! What I really appreciated was that you didn't start your watercolor book out with all the "don'ts" (don't use cadmiums, etc.)... but encouraged me to break all the rules, so to speak - and even paint for the bin... and I am having a ball! Sometimes I think a necessary step to "loosening up" is that one can actually paint in a tight, exact manner... then choose "not" to. Your book came at a perfect time for me, and I am really enjoying the journey! Thank you so much for such a well written, honest and inspirational book!~Linda Borch
Myshelf.com
Sept 12
Search Press doesn't publish many hardcover books, but when it does, I expect something a bit special. This is no exception to the rule, so prepare yourself for a large format coffee table book filled with sumptuous illustrations. Her is a book to get your creative juices flowing and make you abandon the coffee in favor of your easel. Well, maybe that is overdoing it a bit, but the subtitle of this book is painting with freedom, expression and style. Ms Haines' painting style verges on the abstract in many cases, and comes across as being free and spontaneous. East meets west here as the author talks about her love of Chinese brushwork and brings some of that to her work, as well as a lot of sheer enthusiasm and a throwing away of the rulebook. I'm always keen on people who do that, and there are lots of exercises to try out to free up one's hand and generally have fun with paint. Of course, you can expect all the usual topics found in books on watercolor painting: working with color, mixing washes, choosing materials etc. But here they are explored in unconventional ways, and I can recommend this book to all those who think they can't paint and find most painting styles too rigid and structured. There is a lot in here and all of it is suitable both for beginners and those who have painted for years but want to try something new. A lovely book that should have wide appeal, I enjoyed Ms Haines' huge enthusiasm for her subject.
Customer
July 12
Hi Jean, Just wanted to say that I bought your book "Atmospheric Watercolours" yesterday and what an absolutely fabulous book it is. I have dozens of art books but this is far and away the very best. As an artist, I know that you will understand if I tell you that it "moved me". I connected straight away when I read about how we need to create and not care about what anyone else thinks.....I have often worried that I might be doing something wrong or with the wrong techniques and yet I wanted to do my own thing ! (the rebel artist in me...lol) It reminded me of when I found a super freeform crochet book over 30 years ago, by the lovely Sylvia Cosh (sadly no longer with us). When I found her book , I knew that I had found what I had been looking for in my crochet and went on to spend many happy years designing beautiful knitwear. Sadly because of repetitive strain to my wrists from all the crochet, I had to give it up and so turned to art but couldn't find anything except the conventional style, and this wasn't what I was looking for. YOUR book has inspired me just like Sylvia's book did all those years ago. I have joined the SAA as there are no art groups near to me and try to paint every day. Thank you for such wonderful inspiration...I now can't wait to get painting and see what evolves. Thank you Brenda Cumming
The Artist Magazine
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.
Leisure Painter, The
Summer 12
Encouraged by the saying 'don't be a sheep, be unique', Jean Haines hopes to bring the best out of all artists by being more creative with the colours they use, the freedom of their brushstrokes, or simply an attitude of mind. Techniques, such as using your brush to its full potential, applying washes and, in particular, using colour, are described in great detail with many step-by-step examples and projects to follow. If nothing else, Jean's work is sure to inspire you to let go of some of your inhibitions. It simply dazzles on the page and makes you want to grab your brushes and get going straight away.
Customer
July 12
Hi Jean, I have just bought your new book and love it!! I had to let you know that I think your work really is lovely and so atmospheric...........as the title says!!!! I also have your first book! Oh to be able to paint nearly as good as you do!! Warm Regards, Colleen.
Karen Platt Yarnsandfabrics.co.uk/crafts
July 12
Nothing short of fantastic. I first fell in love with Jean's work when she wrote 'Colour and Light in Watercolour', I thought it was wonderful and still do. Yet with this new book, we've moved on ten steps ahead. You have to buy this book if you are remotely interested in watercolour. Known as a difficult medium to master, Jean shares her knowledge and style so that we can learn and improve. Her loose style won't be to everyone's taste, but you don't know until you try it. Painting this ways liberates your art. The book covers many subjects including flowers, portraits and animals so it has wide appeal. It will take you from first steps yet is still suitable for experienced watercolorists. I love it.
Artbookreview.net
June 12
This is one of those books where the above-the-title billing for the author is actually more than just a conceit. To call this book just Atmospheric Watercolours would completely miss the point. Atmosphere is one of the hardest words to define in relation to art. On the one hand, we all know what we mean by it: its the sense of time and place that can be achieved by the use of washes, glazes and wet-in-wet, but also by composition and colour choice pretty much the standard technical arsenal, in fact. On the other hand, its a woolly term that really means nothing except that the work has an essential quality of je ne sais quoi. So thats a good start, then. And what do we actually have here? Well, its easy to say what Jean Haines work is. Its definitely well into the spectrum of abstraction, and she uses a lot of washes to create a sense of what her subjects are about, more than just what they are. Is this atmospheric? Not really, if you buy my definition, but do please feel free to come up with a better word. I do think were getting there, though. I dont think this could really be classed as an instruction manual, even though there are plenty of demonstrations and lots of discussions of how Jean works for someone with such a personal style, shes actually very good at this part. Yes, its practical, but the approach isnt half so much do-this, do-that as an analysis of Jeans own working methods and, through that, showing you how you can achieve not so much the same thing, as something similar. This is perhaps a first, and an invaluable aid for anyone wanting to move beyond representation and to develop their own way of describing what they see. If this sounds like the heart of abstraction, it is, and this book is probably one of the best ways of learning about a technique that so frequently defies description and really has to be absorbed rather than learnt. If youve followed what Ive said, then Im pretty sure youll like the book. If not, proceed with caution; it may be that youre not ready for it yet but persevere!
lauramoorewatercolourart.blogspot.co.uk
May 12
This is one of those books that you cant help but pick up and flick through even if you are not a watercolourist. Beautifully put together with wonderful images throughout, with 176 pages full of tips, techniques, watercolour secrets, and chapters with titles like: Glorious washes, Magical water flow, Sunbursts, Hotting it up, Fabulous effects, and Suggestive seduction, etc, how can anyone not be enticed to want to read this??? Even though I have only skimmed through this book tonight, I already know this book will more than satisfy that hunger I have for this style. I will savour and enjoy more slowly the wonderful 33 image step by step showing how to paint a historic door in Venice, a 28 image step by step showing how to paint a three sheep composition, sections on textural effects with cling film and salt, etc, and lots... and lots more... I know this book will never make it to my art book shelf as it will be in constant use with me referring back to it frequently.
Customer
May 12
Dear Jean, I know we have never met but i wanted to write to express my thoughts to you. I received your stunning new book today and I simply cant wait to try out some ideas. I began working as an artist a year ago after a lot of personal trauma. Over the years I have dipped into a lot of art books, but I have to say that this is the most inspiring and liberating book that I have ever seen. Thank you so very much, and i wish you every success. Yours in gratitude, liz Bolloten
judithfarnworthart.blogspot.co.uk
May 12
Well haven't finished it yet but am savouring every page!!!! It's stopped me eating and sleeping a good thing maybe??? Haven't done a book review before (and after reading this you may think "hope she never does one again!!!!") and maybe I should wait until it's finished but am just a lot excited about this one!!!!! It is full of Jean's secrets written in her own easy, inimitable, encouraging way, as if she is talking intimately to you, the reader. She shares moments and memories of her past..... a lovely insight into the Jean we don't get to hear about..... I have done the first few exercises in the book following just what she did and guess what?????? They turned out and I think the penny might finally be dropping. If any of you have been lucky enough to either see Jean demonstrate or go to a workshop, she makes things look so easy.... well we all know it isn't... right???? Easy comes from years of practice, experience and desire, but.... and this is what I really want to share, this book opens the door and certainly for me has given me those all so sought after glimpses of what I'm looking for...... that's why I was so excited about it and apart from everything else, retiring, exhibition on Saturday, holiday next Wednesday etc etc....... well you can now understand why I couldn't sleep. I said to my husband at 3:30 I think I might get up... he said "What are you going to do.... paint?" Of course I said no....... hmmmm thought she indignantly does he really think I was going to get up and paint at 3;30 in the morning, how ridiculous!!!!!! Am beginning to think he knows me too well (note to self... need to become more mysterious!!!) So hope to read and reread more today and the next weeks and months of course, I think Jean was wise to have this published in hardback as I think it will become one of those "bible" sort of books which in paperback may become too worn!!! Am sorry for those of you who have to wait for a copy, it will be worth the wait I promise!!! Will keep you updated and maybe write another review when I have had more chance to work through and digest... it is a treat for sure. I normally like to flick through books before I buy but I had faith that this one would be what I was looking for and it is ...... in bucket loads!!!!!! It is a book full of hope, colour and life and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!!
