Purple iris is done!

I just finished another one of my smaller "floral portraits." This iris was absolutely gorgeous,, and I couldn't wait to paint it. As I look at the photo on the right, the colors don't look as vibrant in the picture here as they do in the actual painting! Oh well.....guess you've got to see it in person!

For the purple, I used Winsor Violet......such a true and beautiful purple.

I used Rose Madder Genuine for the pink....with a little Alizarin Crimson for some of the deeper values. Indigo and Winsor Blue were mixed with some of the Windsor Violet for the deep purple/blues. I used some Vermillion (boy, I'll miss it when I finally use all of my stash!) for the center, along with Winsor Lemon. The green is mostly Maimerblu's Sap Green, with some of the yellow mixed in.

It's exciting to me to see the iris leaves poking up through the mulch. I can't wait to see the irises again....and to get more photos.

A new iris has blossomed.......

With the summer art festival season rapidly approaching, I have been working hard to complete as many smaller sized paintings as I can. Paintings that are more of an impulse purchase.....something that someone might see that they know would be a great gift for someone.

I recently completed the single iris painting on the left. I took the photo a while back, and I just love the colors here. The top petals are a pale, bluish white, while the lower petals and center are a gorgeous yellow, coppery, coral. This was a lot of fun to do.

When I do larger paintings, I cut the paper down to fit onto the plexiglass I use as my backing. I save every last scrap of my watercolor paper (I use Windsor Newton paper exclusively). These smaller leftover pieces are what I most often use for my little paintings. Love to use every last piece!! For the blue, I used light washes of Cobalt Blue, with some Windsor and a little French Ultramarine. For the coral color, I did a wash of Lemon Yellow over all the coral sections, let that dry, then washed over with some Vermillion (discontinued.....waaaa!!!), some Dragon's Blood, and maybe a touch of Alizarin Crimson. For the leaf and stem I used mostly Maimerblu's Sap Green with some Windsor Blue and some Lemon Yellow.

One thing I always have trouble with, with these little paintings. They often sell quickly, so I don't get to have them very long! I actually miss them!