Saturday 28 July 2012

Yet Another Iris

Well I did say that I felt a series coming on and here is today's effort. I'm learning a lot about softening edges and creating texture and shape with these so they are providing a lot of fun and enjoyment. As I look at their one there are a few wrinkles that could improve the piece and after a little bit of reflection I'll decide how to doctor them. I'm also in two minds as to whether or not to soften some of the main bloom's edges to merge into the background in places. Decisions, decisions.


Iris - Watercolour on Rough paper 16" x 12" 

14 comments:

Sharon Whitley said...

Mick I like your idea of softening some edges to merge into the background - I think that would work nicely - you background is wonderful by the way, the way you have everything merging and blending together nicely

Ray Maclachlan Art said...

Great textures and colours Mick. When you do your doctoring, should be an excellent painting.

Sophia Khan said...

Hello Mick,

This series is so beautiful and I am really enjoying watching the progress. I also like how you work with salt. It never seems to work quite right for me unless I use very dark pigment. Regarding merging the Iris with the background, I would say that I actually like the sharp outline of the Iris as it contrasts well with the loose background. Just a thought- I am sure it will progress beautifully.

Happy painting:)
Sophia

Yvonne Harry said...

The sedries is comming on nicely Mick.There is lots of interest in the background. Couple of helpful (!) comments if I may..... A bit more variety of blues in the falls andstronger shadows in the stands would give it more umph, and maybe with a single bloom not quite so centre stage. I find it helpful when only painting one flower to have it filling the space and even going outside the painting to give impact. Hope you do not mind the comments, maybe it is a bit presumtious of me!!!

Linda Roth said...

I can feel the velvety petals on this one Mick and I love what you did with the background. It's rough and painterly and the iris is precise. That's exactly how they are in the garden.

Unknown said...

Sharon - Thanks. I'm still thinking about assimilating the bloom before committing myself. I'm enjoying the experimentation with backgrounds and also quite pleased with some of the results.

Unknown said...

Ray -thanks a lot. I'm quite excited by the messing about I'm doing with cooer and texture at the moment.

Unknown said...

Sophia - Thank you. The salt technique is one that I've only started to use recently. What I've found is that the size of grain and the number of grains that you apply to an area are the critical things to think of in terms of the effect required.

Peter Ward said...

Yes soften some edges Mick, 50/50 the Maestro tells us remember. I agree with Yvonne the flower would be better slightly off centre.

Perhaps a bit more orange in the background to compliment the blue.

Still who am I to say. You are pushing the boundaries.

Unknown said...

Yvonne - Thanks for your interest and rest assured that I'm always open to as much advice as possible and when it comes from someone with your level of skill I am delighted. Your work is what set me off on this little project.
Your comments on variation and shadow are well taken as is your compositional advice. I'll certainly bear them in mind when doctoring this one and moving on to the next.

Unknown said...

Linda - Thank you. I'm becoming quite taken with this project and finding it useful to develop some skill in manipulating the paint.

Unknown said...

Peter - Cheers. The Maestro was the reason I made the comment about some softening. He sits on the shoulder all the time like some guardian angel. I agree with the off centre comment and it's interesting that you pickup on the orange, it reflects a little conversation I had with myself when doing it.

Laura said...

Mick - That background is fabulous. Beautiful use of salt and intermingling colours. It will be interesting to see what you decide to do with the flower in connecting it with the background a bit more witht he softening.

Unknown said...

Laura - I'm struggling with that problem at the moment. Can't quite make up my mind and I have one or two friends who are urging me to leave it alone.