Iris
There are 200 to 300 species of iris in the world, so you may have quite a few favorites of your own! In the West, we see many varieties of bearded irises with big, showy, colorful blooms. Siberian, Japanese, and flag irises have more delicate and less top-heavy flowers. If you want to paint an elegant, understated flower, try a Siberian iris; if you prefer bold, colorful blooms and big leaves, you might try your hand at a bearded iris.
Siberian Iris Flowers
With a soft brush held upright, paint the flower, starting with the short petals at the top. Make downward strokes by pressing down in the middle of the stroke and lifting. When painting the lower petals, leave space for color in the center. When the flower is damp but not yet dry, you can add the veins if you plan to include them.
You can paint carefully and accurately at first; then be more carefree and let your brush dance as you gain confidence. Each flower is unique, and the breeze plays with the petals. Thinking of this may help you loosen up and be more playful as you paint.
Siberian Iris Leaves
These leaves grow like grasses: long, slim, and wavy. Allow them to overlap and cross to help create a sense of depth. Vary the color by adding a little black to the tip of your brush as you paint some of the leaves.
Bearded Iris Flowers
1 Start with the large petal in the lower half of the flower. Load your wet brush with a light color wash halfway up; then add a darker color on the tip. Hold the brush at an angle with the tip pointing toward you, as you would for a peony flower.
2 Slant your brush and move it sideways in a curve to create the shape of the first petal. Use this slanted stroke to create the other petals as well. For the upper petals, use the same technique, but start with the point of the brush at the base of the center petal.
3 Add the veins with the Happy Dot brush when the petals are damp but not completely dry. Make the veins radiate outward like a fan; don’t paint them in parallel lines or the flowers will look flat.
Bearded Iris Leaves
Tough and leathery, iris leaves are stiff, strong, and overlap like a fan. Paint them in black and gray or black and green, with lighter leaves showing behind the flower stem to add a sense of depth. When the leaves are nearly dry, add veins in black and dark green to contrast with the pretty floating nature of the flowers.
