Iris - WIP

It's been a long time! I started this piece way back in May or June maybe? After a long summer of planning art shows and exciting times of opening a new gallery I have finally gotten back to the drawing board. I thought I would share the process of drawing "Iris".

She is a special plant given to me by my late mother-in-law. Martha was quite a gardener. Her beds always put me to shame as we were neighbors for quite a few years. ;) But we always had gardening in common and I treasured that relationship. She had given me starts of the most beautiful irises. The contrast between the white top and deep purple falls was striking. I have wanted to do this drawing for years. So this is how it began~

The first step, after observation, was to do several studies, both in color and in graphite. I also took many photographs as the flower would not be lasting until I was finished with the drawing.

Next, I made a line drawing of the final composition on tracing paper which I transferred to my "good paper" (Fabriano Artistico hot pressed w/c paper).

I begin to lay in the values with gray colored pencils in the darkest of shadows.

And then the fun begins by adding color. 

A little closer look. This is the stage that is left on my drawing board at the moment. I hope to finish "Iris" by next week. Stay tuned......