plate no. 1715
Iris (Alizes)
Aaron Shikler, 2004
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, particularly subtle variations of purple and gray, and in rendering soft, diffused light and shadow. It also provides practice in capturing the delicate form and texture of flower petals.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the iris and its major petals on the canvas.
- step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone gray, ensuring even coverage.
- step 03
Establish the darkest values in the center of the flower and the edges of some petals using darker purples.
- step 04
Mix various shades of purple by adding white, gray, and hints of pink to the base purple.
- step 05
Apply the lighter purples to the petals, blending the edges to create soft transitions.
- step 06
Add subtle highlights to the petals with almost pure white, focusing on areas where light hits directly.
- step 07
Refine the details of the petals, paying attention to the subtle curves and folds.
- step 08
Add the yellow and green hues to the stem and the base of the flower.
color palette
primary · lavender · purple · gray
secondary · white · yellow · green
Achieve the various shades of purple by mixing a base purple with white for lighter tones, gray for muted tones, and a touch of pink for warmth. The background gray is likely a mix of white, black, and a touch of blue or green.
techniques
- ·blending
- ·glazing
- ·color mixing
- ·soft edges
- ·layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early in the process.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft transitions.
- →Using too much paint and losing the subtle variations in color.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions and shapes of the petals.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas (12x12 or similar)
- ·Oil paints: Titanium White, Ultramarine Blue, Alizarin Crimson, Yellow Ochre
- ·Palette
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Linseed oil or other painting medium
- ·Odorless mineral spirits or turpentine
- ·Palette knife
- ·Rags or paper towels
optional
- ·Retarder medium
- ·Varnish
Using a medium-grain canvas will provide a good surface for the oil paint. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of burnt umber before starting to create a warmer base.
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