Watercolor in Canson 7 x 10″ Sketchbook
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I’d planned to spend my painting time in the studio today but it was too gorgeous outside to stay indoors. So I pulled up a lawn chair and painted this iris in my front yard. I drew it in pencil and then added watercolor, all the while listening to birds chirping (and the sounds of the nearby freeway which I pretend is the ocean), with the sun shining, the bees buzzing around me and the wind blowing my hair.
These irises are heart-breakingly beautiful. They are so fragile and temporary. One day they’re proudly blooming, thrusting their strong, wild purpleness proudly up to the sun and the next day they’ve turned to a little wisp of gelatinous film, drooping sadly from their stalk. I’m glad I was able to sit with this one for an hour and enjoy it’s beauty before it’s gone.
Such a lovely sunstruck flower–I can almost smell it!
GLORIOUS—!!! Such wonderful color and softeness, Jana!!!! LOVE IT!
Beautiful, gorgeous. In fact, stunning! I think the sun, the breeze and the birdsong are all caught in your watercolor.
Beautiful! Even the bit that is fading away. I would call this excellent use of the day.
Lovely iris. They always make me smile. They were my mothers favorite flower.
Jana, this is beautiful. Your work inspires me! I love the spa sketches too…what fun!
Golly, I feel the same way about these spring days and my irises. I think you made the right choice to be outside with them. I’m experiencing the down side of all this lovely spring outdoorsness just now – a really oozy ghastly case of poison oak!
Beautiful painting! Flowers seem to have something to tell us about how fragile and short life is.
Gorgeous. You’ve really captured the essence of an iris.
This is a breathtakingly beautiful painting of a glorious flower! So inspiring to see your work, Jana!
Ronell
Now, that’s what I call and Iris! Stunning.
Stupendous! Great color and composition too. I wish I had irises.
Ahhh- gorgeous!
Oh wow, this one is gorgeous. LOVE the dark purple.
Umm, incredible deep purple! I love to see your elegant Florentine iris and my homely, little purple-freckled one, too.
Gorgeous, gorgeous sketch, dear Jana.
Scrumptious, I tell you – what a glorious time well spent!! Beautiful!
It is beautiful! Try this with the dying flowers. Lay some flower heads on some watercolor paper and take a brayer and run over the heads on the paper.
Pigment from the flowers leave beautiful marks on the paper. Then do a painting after the pressing.
OMG, this is so beautiful! I love iris’ and when mine bloom, I will be out there with my colored pencils. My goal is to do them in pastel and watercolor, when I figure out how. Thanks for sharing this beautiful painting. Absolutely gorgeous!