How to Paint Purple 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Step 5 – Basecoat Iris with Purple

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

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.

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

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!

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