This bearded iris center has an almost abstract quality.  Irises are very much stand alone flowers, which rise elegantly above long slender leaves.  The flower has three falls, those large petals curving downwards graced by bearded accents and three tall majestically upright standards.  These gorgeous upright petals enclose the center open mouth protectively, inviting you to look within.  The unusual structures of an iris presented challenges in composition to me which I wanted to address on a smaller scale before I started on my large 120 X 150 cm canvas of 7 bearded irises.

The background was a combination of Ultramarine Violet and Payne’s Grey.  For the petals of the iris I used Ultramarine Violet, Blue Violet Dyna, Titanium White, Interference Lilac and Violet, Quadricone Pink, Irridescent Violet Dyna,  Nickle Titanate Yellow, Violet Quadricone and Permanent Violet.  For the the center beard of the iris I used Titanium White, Nickle Titanate Yellow, Interference Lilac, Quadricone Magenta and Bright Yellow.

Bearded Violet Iris

H 24 X W 18 X D 4 cm

Bearded Violet Iris close-up #1

Bearded Violet Iris close-up #2

Bearded Violet Iris close-up #3

Bearded Violet Iris close-up #4