Monday 18 January 2010

IRIS BY THE WOODS IN ACYLIC INKS

In the hope this image will enlarge with a click, you might spot the background wood effect better.

During Anita's stay we decided to play, play, play and thus this iris was created on the third day!
First day we just sploshed with acrylic inks. turning out some rubbish, or getting more creative turning the resulted play into something it inspired to be. On the second day (I think) we had watched a video of Jenny Tufts working with inks creating a floral study, so we took up a display of artifical blooms I had on the firehearth - but it did not work doing it her way.
On the third day we decided to be more in control - Oh yes!!
Initially drew in the iris shape from a photo of one of my garden irises from last summer. Then created dark greens, purples and blues and filled in the background letting all the colours blend together as they wanted, leaving the lighter shades to create the leaf shapes. Then I spied what could be tree trunks at the back so worked on this area becoming a wood.
The main work was quite detailed when I eventually got round to painting the petals, etc of the flower. This was the controlled bit!

12 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Very luscious in color and depth and I really like seeing the line work around the green of the flower.

Joan Y said...

How fun to have a buddy artist with whom to create! Your iris is gorgeous ... the blues, greens, yellows, purples. They blend beautifully and the details make them pop!

cathyswatercolors said...

I really like this, the iris, backround very lovely

Sandra Rowney said...

Beautiful.....

debwardart said...

Sounds like you 2 had lots of fun - makes me look forward to June when I go away with several friends for our yearly "retreat"! Your iris is lovely.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Thanks folks. Lovely to hear from you all. I too was delighted with the outcome - and it was fun too. When you start a piece in this method, you never know where it is going to lead. I'm going to try a companion floral piece when I've finished my current narrative oil painting of Rehearsal at St Nics - and I wonder how the second one will turn out???

Anita Davies said...

Didn't we have fun though!!! LOL!
Now don't get me wrong, it looks terrific but it's so much better in the flesh, the photo has lost some of the beautiful detail on those papery petals and the colours are so much more vibrant in real life. It's a winner! Can't wait to see the next.

Christiane Kingsley said...

I really like how you painted your iris. The colors are fresh and the curved lines of the leaves and stem add a nice sense of movement. Well done!

Sandy Maudlin said...

This is exquisitely painted and seems inspired. Beautiful!

Claudia said...

Dear Joan,
thank you so much for your recent comment on my blog!-I will soon be posting again. - Your paintings are fantastic!I see, I have missed so much while not surfing and painting...but I couldn't because we moved from one house into another (which will only be for a certain time) and now we are planning a new house...
Kind regards from
Claudia

Margaret Ann said...

This is a real treasure...Love hearing about all the steps until its reveal...What gloriious light you have playing in the composition...and what lovely ruffles edges...A winner for sure...:)

Cathy Gatland said...

Just beautiful Joan, and great to read how you went about creating it