Yesterday afternoon I sat quietly in my garden and began to study the beautiful mass of Iris that are coming into bloom. Banks of these gorgeous flowers create clouds of purple in huge drifts along one main flower bed. These are the smaller variety that sit on top of long thin stems with their heads gently swaying in the breeze as if they are dancing. They remind me of Monets garden in Giverny.
Painting any subject on location in natural light is always a sheer joy but when sunshine hits your shoulders as you work and plays tricks on almost transparent petals life for an artist cannot be any better! Quite often I absorb the feel of a subject when I make my first tentative brushstrokes. These are the first Iris I have painted this year and as always I am thrilled to be capturing them in watercolour again. This morning I placed a mount around one study to give me an idea of where I am aiming with a finished collection of Summer flowers which are eagerly awaited in a gallery. The collection will consist of all of my favourite flowers.
Iris appearing from gentle brushstrokes.
Careful placement of each flower in the composition allows me space to add hints of their soft stems.
Today the sun is shining and the light is perfect for painting outside again and as a friend is arriving this morning we will be painting flowers together all day.
What bliss!
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What a perfect way to spend the day! It's my birthday today and I will be working :0( But, I will also be trying out my new Sable Brush for the first time later on which will be a joy! Thought I'd better try it out before Tuesdays workshop! I love your flower paintings. I SO want to know how to paint like this and where to start!
ReplyDeletewhat bliss is right. i love iris' and just yesterday took a bunch of photos in town ( I don't have any blooming here yet). I love the idea that you paint without a pencil sketch first. I love to draw and sometimes I let that stay in my finished piece. Love your blog and will be back. I found you from 'a brush with color'
ReplyDeletepeace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://cheyannesexton.etsy.com
Hello Sandra, I can't wait to see you on Tuesday and your new brush! We will have a ball! I hope your birthday was fantastic!
ReplyDeleteHi there Cheyanne! Its lovely to meet you. I feel less restricted without an initial sketch and can work freely allowing colour to guide me with this technique which is far more exciting. I hope to see you again and thank you so much for letting me know you passed by:)
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