D  E  M  O  N  S  T  R  A  T  I  O  N 
Watercolour
By Christine Groh
For centuries the iris has been steeped in symbolism - the fleur-de-lis is a stylised iris and in Greek the word for it means 'rainbow'. The showy flower is also one of Christine Groh's favourites, and she enjoyed depicting it in this wonderful watercolour.

Materials

  • Saunders Waterford Watercolour Paper: Half sheet (38cm x 56cm) 300gsm NOT (cold press, medium)
  • Schminke Aquarell: Ultramarine Blue, May Green
  • Winsor & Newton: Permanent Rose, Winsor Violet (Dioxazine)
  • Maimeri: Blue: Indian Yellow
  • Neef Taklon Brushes: No.4, 8 and 12
  • Canite board and stapler

STEP ONE

Because I am using a half-sheet that measures 38cm x 56cm, I start by stretching the paper. To do this, I soak it in the bathtub for no more than 15 minutes and then staple it to the canite board. This prevents it buckling during painting and stops the pigment settling in the indented places - something I don't want to happen. Let the stretched paper dry overnight.

For this painting I used my photographs as the source material. I started with a very quick sketch, and then a light drawing of the three flowers on the dry watercolour paper. While I am trying to capture the flowers, the placement of them is even more important, because I want to see nice shapes, a nice flow and good overall design. The iris has 9 petals, but I don't think it is necessary to show them all in the painting. I decide on the direction of the light, making a little arrow on my board to remind me.

56  Artist's Palette

Copy of Artist's Palette Magazine No.33 articles by Justyna Lupa and Christine Groh.

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