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Jean Haines
Search Press
30 May 2012 (US 1 September 2012) / ISBN-13: 9781844486748
How-To Books/Painting
Amazon
US
- UK
Reviewed
by Rachel A Hyde
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.
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