http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistDecember 2019 47
PRACTICAL
u STAGE THREE
I used a mix of permanent gamboge, green
gold and permanent green light to create
washes of colour in the background for the
subsequent placement of the foliage. I kept
the washes varied and light at this stage.
Although I was not shaping the foliage I used
sympathetic brushmarks that followed the line
of the sword-like Iris foliage. I indicated a few
of the bud shapes as well to add interest to the
composition
p STAGE ONE
Ground preparation is a very important stage
for me, as it has a direct efect on how the paints
react. I used light dimensional ground to build
up some texture on the actual lower heads,
with scrapings of watercolour ground around
the lowers for some of the foliage. I used a
watercolour pencil to draw a very faint and
simple outline merely as a guide and to place the
main components of the subject matter. To take
things more towards abstract and depending
on how experienced and conident you are, you
can skip the outline drawing and hope for some
unexpected happy accidentsp STAGE TWO
I applied simple washes of quinacridone
magenta to the standards of most of the
lower heads using my size ten trusted sable
brush, then added a touch of ultramarine
blue to a couple of the lowers to make them
slightly diferent. On the falls, I used a mix of
quinacridone crimson mixed with blue and
added really strong and saturated quinacridone
burnt orange to the base of some of the lowers
to make them stronger and darker.
Make sure you dry the surface fully after each
application to keep your colours fresh and
vibrant
MATERIALS
I took advantage of the gorgeous colours of Golden QoR
watercolours. I used a base of watercolour ground and cold-
pressed paste to create an interesting surface to work on.
l Saunders Waterford Not, 200lb.
l Golden QoR watercolours: quinacridone crimson, quinacridone
magenta and violet, ultramarine blue, green gold,
quinacridone burnt orange, nickel yellow, permanent green
and yellow gamboge.
l Golden QoR watercolour ground and light dimensional ground.
l Sable brushes size 10 and 8 round.
l Pastels: bright blue, orange, mid yellow.DEMONSTRATION Bearded Irises
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