How To Draw A Iris
Creating an enchanting iris is a cinch! Drawing a beautiful representation of this classic flower is something that anyone can do with a bit of practice and patience. Here we’ll look at some of the steps necessary to capture a perfect looking iris that’ll instantly make anyone staring at it take a breath.
With art, you have to start off with a plan. When drawing an iris, you need to begin by sketching out the basic shape of the flower, keeping in mind its iconic petals. Then, you can mark the eyes of the petals, the veins running through them, and the stems that’ll connect the petals with the rest of the iris.
After your basic shape is complete, layer shades and shadows across the petals. Put shadows underneath the petals, and highlight any area you want to make appear three-dimensional. You’ll also want to add the details of the petals, such as the eyes or dots, the curves of the petal’s edges, and the lines the veins make in the petals.
One of the most important parts of any iris drawing is the background. Whether it’s a solid color or is a depiction of a garden, your background has to accentuate, not take away from your iris petals. Try painting thin lines of contrasting colors, large stripes, or even a gradient across your background to give the artwork a subtle suggestion of dimension.
If you’re happy with your iris representation and its background, now you can complete it with your own details. From changing up the colors of the petals, to adding beautiful gems and jewels, you can make your iris truly yours. Some people like to add polka dots, create a tiny hummingbird perching nearby, or even draw a fairy peeking out from the center of the flower.
Adding Enhancements
Adding details to your iris has a big impact on its overall “look and feel”. Enhancing the petals can make the flower appear luminescent or even create a third-dimensional feeling. You can apply the same principle to other shapes of your iris as well, from small brushstrokes to tiny shadows created with small dots of color, the possibilities are endless!
Using coloring pencils as opposed to markers also provides extra options to improve the contrast of colors and deepen shadows. The same holds true when shading. To create a fabulous effect, select colors with different hues, tones, and shades. Moving colors around the iris in gradual circles helps create a contrast between the colors, which can create a colorful, eye-catching spectrum of colors.
Painting a stroke of white around the eye of the petals and using green and pink colors along the outer edges will make the petals seem more dimensional. Alternatively, adding a touch of blue and purple colors to the buds of the flower can give an alluring depth effect.
As for the background, you can soften the colors to create a pastel effect and soften hard angles by blending colors together. Soft shading is ideal for creating a calming effect behind the iris. Additionally, when shading the highlights, make sure to use a lighter color in the very inner circles of the iris for a refreshing and bright final touch.
Paint it Out
Once you’ve perfected the design of your iris, it’s time to start painting. Pick up a brush and some watercolors, and start adding dimension to your previously-drawn masterpiece. If you’re using watercolors, make sure to layer the colors on gradually as they’ll blend together better that way.
To get an opalescent effect, moisten the brush and dip it in a mix of yellow and white to slowly paint the entire iris. In the same way, apply bright colors such as orange and red gradually to the center of the flower. Add very little pressure when painting near the pupils of the petals. As for the background, make sure to go for lighter colors to avoid making things too busy.
For a three-dimensional effect, use a white pen to emphasize specific parts of the iris. For instance, you can add a few lines of white at the edges of the petals to make them appear like they’re standing out against the background. Another great idea is to paint a white line close to the center of the flower, adding a realistic effect to your iris.
Final Touches
Finally, give your iris a finishing touch by adding tools like glitter, gel pens, and other decorative materials. For example, choose a glitter glue that matches the colors of the flower and apply it around the edges of the petals. This will enhance shine and add highlights!
And if you want to make your iris look a bit more realistic, add some bristle-like lines around the edges of the petals. To do this, you can use a sloppy brush, dip it into a mix of light brown and pink watercolors and carefully paint the edges of the petals.
When it comes to adding the final touches, make sure to keep it simple and avoid going overboard. Otherwise, your artwork won’t have that luminous and pristine look that makes a great iris. Now go ahead and create a beautiful iris fit for your walls!
