Paint Yourself Calm

Third Age Matters

I am a crafter, but not a painterm so I wondered if I would like this book, From its opening of "colourful, creative mindfulness through watercolour" to "finding energy and strength... red is a powerful colour", it grabbed my attention.

I like how Jean describes the different colours and, as the rainbow is seen all around at the moment, it was nice to start "...thinking about colours as blankets to wrap around you."

I decided to follow Jean's guidance and paint a poppy. I read it through and immediately wanted to paint one. With clear instructions, nice anecdotes, and no pressure for it to be a certain way, I enjoyed going with the flow.

While we are being peaceful and mindful (using calming blues and greens), it is important to remember we also need to re-energise (energising red, orange, yellow).

This is an uplifting and calming book for stressful times.

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Hot Brands Cool Places

This book is absolutely beautiful, full of gorgeous images, colour and inspiring quotes, 'Anyone can paint. Not only anyone, but everyone.' In Paint Yourself Calm, Jean has created an inspiring and uplifting book that will encourage anyone to pick up a paintbrush, dip it in your favourite colour and experiment. Magical!

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Tahoe Daily Tribune

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Love to Make

September 2016

This is a really beautiful book about learning to paint, but with a real difference. Jean takes you on her own personal journey, revealing how her career has brought her to a magical realisation: that painting is therapeutic and calming for the soul. This book shows you how you can calm and enhance your outlook thorugh the movement of a brush. Jean leads you page-by-page on a journey through paint, showing you how to wip away your worries with the soothing gentle strokes of watercolour paint. She says 'Painting is something that you can do at any stage in your life... and no painting experience is necessary

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Library Journal

Longtime watercolor art instructor and painting how-to author Haines (Jean Haines World of Watercolour) tries something a bit different in her latest title. Starting from the premise that everyone can paint, Haines frees readers of the goals and expectations of end results, and encourages simply enjoyment of painting. Open-ended, detailed exercises guide readers through experimenting with paint to gain a sense of control; to relieve stress; to escape; or to be in a better mood. The emotional and psychological properties of color are discussed as are obstacles to creativity and happiness. VERDICT Open-minded readers of all ages and skill levels can benefit from the unique blend of self-care and expression offered here.

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Kreative Review

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Cygnus Review - Summer 2016

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Cygnus Review

Summer 2016, Issue 2

There are many of us who just don't do art, for whatever reason. The beauty of this book is that it coaxes us into painting for therapeutic purposes and takes away the pressure and takes away the pressue of any self judgement for what we create. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It is large format and rich in stunning illustration (of course). The author was a painter first, then she became a painting teacher and now she is teaching calm through painting. When you become fully absorbed in an activity - and painting is a supreme example of this - your mind becomes much quieter.

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Dorothy Barton

This book should appeal to both the beginner who would like to paint but doesn't know where to begin and the 'improver' like myself. I found painting relaxing and exciting when I started some years ago but now tend to get bogged down in the complexities of techniques and different media. This book takes you back to colour and 'playing'. Not trying to create anything for exhibition or sale but just enjoying painting. Jean has suggested just the basic materials required and that is ample to get started. The book is very readable
and would make an excellent gift.

beautifully illustrated. The text contains descriptions and simple exercises with the emphasis on easy methods and keeping
yourself relaxed and calm. I particularly liked the sections on herbs at the end as I felt it introduced a sense of reality with looking at and painting an object. The fragrance of herbs around is well known for providing a calming atmosphere. This would make an excellent gift for any painter.

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Leanne Cane

This is a visually stunning book. My first thought when I opened my parcel was of the impact of it's gorgeous colour. Inside the beautiful watercolour painting continues. Jean Haines strives to make her reader comfortable with the concept of simply 'playing with colour' and the wonderful examples of abstract painting which fill the beginning of the book help with that - they look so playful and not at all intimidating.

While I understand Haines' need to make her reader comfortable, I do find the intro pages a little repetitive - really trying to drive the point home that anyone can pick up a brush, it could be a fantastic experience, etc. I do love her concept of 'playing with colour', though, it takes a step back from 'Art' with a capital 'A' and introduces an idea that one can simply play and experiment - what better way to learn? Even better, it sounds far more relaxing that launching in with the idea that you'll be creating beautiful masterpieces.

I do love the materials section as well - it's very concise and to the point: you don't need masses of expensive materials and equipment, just two brushes, an old white plate, a clear jar, and three tubes of paint will do. That makes things less intimidating for a beginner. I've read several 'beginners' art books that contain pages and pages of different materials and tools that leave even someone with experience wondering where to begin.

The practical section starts with 'Colour Experiments', getting you used to different techniques, the way the colours flow - the 'playful' part. It's about building up confidence. It flows almost seamlessly into the more complex and less abstract exercises. Again, the art is beautiful yet not intimidating - encouraging the reader to 'give it a go'. The step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow.

At the end of the book, there's a quick summary about 'painting yourself calm' and positive thinking, and a useful index, and yet more wonderful watercolour paintings. Even just flicking through the pages is a lovely experience. Looking forward to working my way through the book!

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Karen Platt -yarnsandfabrics.co.uk

With no painting experience necessary, Jean proves that anyone can put paint to paper with the object of relieving stress and exploring emotion to achieve a sense of calm. I can most heartily verify that painting is calming, because I feel that myself when I paint. It is all about the experience of painting and not the end result. The exercises are rather simple and basic shown as step-by-step.  All in all, if you want some very basic ideas to get you into the routine of painting without taxing the mind, and to use painting as a way to find solace, you will find this book useful. It covers techniques such as salt, clingfilm, pouring and some ideas on colour. Jean's excellent use of colour and her finished paintings hold this book together

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Judith Farnworth Art

As I have been reading about the preparation and build up for this book the overall impression I have had is that it would be different and that is just what it is.... different!

Not the usual format of materials, techniques, step by steps.... there is a small section on materials where Jean talks about what you will need to get started and how good paper is the most important thing, but this book doesn't dwell too much on things mundane!! It does however dwell on the joy and happiness we can find by pursuing this lovely pastime, how painting somehow helps us find a special place unknown to us before we painted.

Since reading it I have been trying to think where it might fit into the painting population at large and I have come to the conclusion that although it isn't an instructional painting book per se it actually transcends all abilities and levels and I found myself once again inspired by Jean Haines, this time in a totally different way.

As I am a painter who teaches, sells my work and occasionally exhibits I have worked hard on the techniques I have been taught by Jean and a number of other artists to the point where I have more recently been finding my own way but decided that as I have all Jean's other books I "needed" this one to add to my collection. While it isn't a teaching book in the way her others are, it has some wonderful inspiration, some beautiful illustrations ( I do like pictures in a book!!) and it gives a "can do " message to its' readers which a lot of painters need.  I had read some of Jeans' blogs where she has talked about the book and how it was a departure from her previous publications and I honestly think this book is one which would be a fit for artists at any level including complete beginners.

I have always felt that painting is available to anyone and everyone and it is very encouraging to read Jean's conviction that anyone can paint, how painting can enrich lives beyond comprehension and that no-one needs any special talent or skill to start. Joy to my ears!

Art Therapy is known to have very beneficial effects and while we're not actually talking about that here Jean talks about aspects of colour and it's mood enhancing qualities, about the joy of creating, not for a finished masterpiece, but for the sole purpose of enjoyment and how painting for it's own sake can bring about a wonderful calmness and contentment. She very eloquently puts into words what a lot of us who are passionate about our art feel as we are creating and have the brush in our hand.

As for my own inspiration, I don't tend to spend as much time playing with my paint as I once did and have had some art work I want to do for my own home which has been on the back burner for some time. Having read this book and looked at some of the simple exercises Jean has put together to get people started I have had lots of ideas as to how I might go about creating this illusive work!! The exercises look quite simple but the end results in turn look so effective leading me to feel that the book is worth buying for these little studies alone.

I don't want to say anything frivolous about this book as it carries a more serious message beyond that of regular painting books. It talks about the mental benefits of painting, how we can escape to our little painting havens and become completely consumed and absorbed during the time we spend watching the paint and water do their magic on the paper. It also provides very persuasive arguments for allowing us to spend time painting...

Finally, I loved the quote

"It was only when I made a conscious decision to treat painting like eating, as part of my daily routine that my life and art career changed"

That really struck a chord and separates the artists from the wannabes and something I need to incorporate into my daily routine too, another snippet of inspiration.

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The Leisure Painter

July 2016

Jean Haines' Paint Yourself Calm shows you how to use the medium of watercolour to overcome anxiety and escape the stresses of everyday life. Aimed at the complete beginner, Jean describes how the action applying paint to paper can help you control your life, enhance your mood and improve watercolour painting at the same time. Illustrated with watercolour paintings this is a truly 'feel good' book.

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Artbookreview.net

Its hard to convey just how much I hate all that new-agey stuff. Most of its just an excuse for a load of self-obsessed navel gazing. And its never cheap, either. Do please feel free to disagree with me, but please read the rest of this before you write in!

It would be a shame to dismiss this on the basis Ive outlined, or even to regard it as having nothing to do with practical art. It has everything to do with the practice of painting and, above all, of getting yourself into the state of mind where you can put down on paper what you feel in your head and see with your minds eye. If you want a book that explains the creative process in a way thats completely relevant and comprehensible, this is it. It may or may not be Jeans prime purpose, but, for the artist at least, its the result shes produced.

The thing about painting is that its so much more than a mechanical process. Sure, there are things you have to do, such as prepare grounds, mix colours and lay washes, but these can take on Zen-like properties if you let them. A lot of people say that routine helps set them in the right frame of mind for what comes next, which is pretty much the same thing.

A lot of the content of this genuinely intriguing book is what might be called pure watercolour. This isnt a step-by-step how-to manual at all, not one that tells you how to paint specific subjects. Rather, its about the use and application of colour to create a state of mind. Jeans intention, I think, is that this should be within yourself, but the thing is that paintings have an audience: other people will see them and that state can be induced in them as well. Art, as Edgar Degas said, is not what you see but what you make others see. Its not exactly abstraction most of the illustrations are entirely recognisable but the form is definitely more important than the function.

If you know how to paint, but want to understand why, and why that why is important, read this book. Its beautiful, rewarding and full of insights.

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Craft Focus