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How to Paint Purple Iris

January 28, 2019 By Colleen Jorgenson 9 Comments

how-to-paint-iris

Today I have another super simple painting tutorial using craft acrylics – How to Paint Iris! Iris are one of my favorite spring flowers because I grew up with a huge garden full of them.

How to Paint Iris

Supply list is at the bottom of the post.

Step 1 – Download, print and transfer the pattern.

how-to-paint-iris
Iris Pattern

To transfer the pattern you can either use graphite paper or flip the pattern over and use a pencil to outline the tulips, stems and leaves. Then flip the pattern right side up, center it on the watercolor paper and using a stylus or ball point pen, trace the outlines of the pattern.

how-to-paint-iris

Step 2 – Basecoat stems and leaves with Leaf Green

You can use any medium of shade you prefer. Some iris have more of a greyish-green stem so feel free to use that as your stem/leaf color. The instructions would be the same.

how-to-paint-iris

Step 3 – Highlight areas as shown with Opaque Yellow. 

Again, any shade of yellow would work here for highlighting. I used a lighter shade in the photos but I prefer Opaque Yellow.

how-to-paint-iris
Topcoat Leaves

Step 4 – Topcoat Leaves with Leaf Green

If you used a different basecoat green, then topcoat with that same color. Allow it to dry. You might need a second coat but you do want some of the yellow highlights to show through.

how-to-paint-iris

Step 5 – Basecoat Iris with Purple

You want a rich color of purple if you don’t have Ceramcoat Purple on hand.

how-to-paint-iris

Step 6 – Highlight iris blossoms with Lisa Pink in areas as shown

You’ll notice that certain highlighted areas are more opaque than others. Do your best to match that. Without driving yourself crazy though.

how-to-paint-iris
how-to-paint-iris

Step 6 – Shade with Amethyst Purple in areas shown.

You might notice that I topcoated the highlights with Purple before I shaded with Amethyst. This is an unnecessary step. You can highlight then add shading and topcoat only once.

Step 7 – Add Opaque Yellow to inside of iris blossoms

how-to-paint-iris

Step 8 – Topcoat Iris blossoms with Purple

Let the topcoat dry before determining if you need another coat. You should be fine with one coat, letting highlights and some shading peak through.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! I’m trying to add more Spring flowers in both acrylics and watercolors. Let me know if there’s a particular flower you’d like to paint!

how-to-paint-iris

watercolor paper
graphite paper (optional) or pencil
stylus or ball point pen
paint brushes
Leaf Green paint
Opaque Yellow paint
Purple paint
Lisa Pink paint
Amethyst Purple

Filed Under: Highlighting, How To & PIY, patterns, PIY, Shading, Techniques, Tutorials

Comments

  1. Cat@BudgetBlonde says

    June 1, 2010 at 2:16 am

    Wow! I love your blog! Thanks so much for stopping by mine (BudgetBlonde)It’s a new blog so I really appreciate your support! Please check back!

    Reply
  2. Pam says

    June 3, 2010 at 1:05 am

    Thanks for keeping this as simple as possible. It looks like I might even be able to do this.

    Reply
  3. Stephanie Lynn says

    June 3, 2010 at 1:11 pm

    Great tutorial! The iris is gorgeous! Love the step by steps you provide! Thanks so much for joining The Sunday Showcase Party. I greatly appreciate it! Hope you are enjoying your week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply
  4. Stephanie Lynn says

    June 3, 2010 at 4:16 pm

    Hi Colleen! Just wanted to let you know I’ll be featuring your iris tutorial today! Stop by and grab a featured button if you like! Thanks again for linking to The Sunday Showcase Party! ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply
  5. a little lovely says

    June 5, 2010 at 4:49 am

    you make that look easy! pretty sure mine wouldn’t look half that good. thanks so much for sharing at my party

    Reply
  6. Jaime Leigh says

    July 12, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    This is my favorite flower I just might have to attempt to paint this in my purple bathroom somewhere! =)

    Reply
  7. Kim hatchie says

    August 27, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Hi there, I haven’t painted since high school, and that was a really long time ago. (I’m old) Are these all water colors? If so, what brand? This will be my first try painting again. So I don’t want to find my own colors. I promise, I’ll venture out more after this one.

    Reply
    • Colleen says

      September 7, 2019 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Kim, this tutorial calls for acrylic paints. I used craft acrylics. Sorry for the confusion here. And sorry it took so long to get back to you. Hope this helps and let me know if I can be of any help

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Spring Flowers & Painting Tutorials - Just Paint It Blog says:
    April 9, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    […] Iris […]

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    About Me

    Hi there! I'm Colleen, a self-taught artist, writer and blogger, among other things. You don't get to be old enough to order off the Denny's senior menu without accomplishing a few things in life. Read More…

    Recent Posts…
    • Patriotic Fourth of July Printables June 25, 2019
    • Camping Coloring Pages June 15, 2019
    • How to Paint Purple Iris January 28, 2019
    • How to Paint a Teddy Bear January 24, 2019
    • How to Paint Tulips January 21, 2019
    Comments…
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