I guess it was inevitable, sine I've done three irises and two irises, that I would get around to make a one iris painting. This image came from a photo of the magnificent irises at the Shepherd/Morse's home. Here is the original photo that I worked up:
Next step was to isolate the image from this that I wanted to use and photoshop it
:
Then the painting is underway:
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| One Iris #1 |
This is a small painting (12" x 24") but could be a model for a much larger piece, perhaps 24" x 48". But first things first. Next step here is to continue the background into the green/blue section of the painting. I'm thinking that I'll continue the swirling brush strokes down below, but alternate colors, rather than just the intensities. The trick will be to mix the right light purple for the flower. Good luck with that!
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| One Iris #2 |
I'm thinking this isn't a bad start actually. I lightened the blue background using some turquoise which needs a clean up but it was the right idea. Question is what to make of the bottom half of the painting. Easiest choice would be to continue the turquoise swirls but perhaps with an even lighter cast. Or perhaps a light Viridian would work? Will test out both in sections, which might actually be an interesting solution.
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| One Iris #3 |
Ok, so the color change to the bottom worked well, I think. However, there between the two leafs on the right side is too dark and needs to be lightened, as does, perhaps, the area immediately under the bottom right leaf. Will let this sit for a while before wading back in.
Decided I wanted to turn down the purple color and get some blue into the buds and flower. Also worked on the wavy lines, leaving the darker area in the bottom right alone for now.
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| One Iris #4 |
I
'm liking this more. Thinking that I'll leave it for now. The added blue colors, and the increased light colors in the flower gave the flower more depth I think. Do have to fix the bottom right side though.
Went back in and worked on the bottom right side of the painting and then also waded into the flower itself, trying to give it more depth.
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| One Iris #5 |
Wanted to fix the upper right iris bud, which looks junky here. Also did some more work in the bottom right of the painting. I'm wondering if I should actually darken the area around the flower just a little more so it stands out.
