Painting the Douglas Iris in Watercolor

From Brush to Bloom

April 29 - June 10

Immediate access

Immerse yourself in the delicate beauty of wild irises through watercolor. In this 6-week course, explore and capture the essence of these elegant flowers, showcasing their graceful petals and intricate details. Let your brush wander into a world of quiet beauty, where wild irises bloom in soft shades of lavender, violet, and pale purple.

Together, we'll discover how to translate the delicate essence of the iris onto paper, capturing its graceful curves, transparent textures, and the way its colors shift like whispers in the wind. Using soft washes and flowing blends, you'll learn to bring your irises to life with color that moves and breathes.

We’ll take it step by step, breaking down techniques like layering, glazing, and controlled blending to build gentle depth without ever losing the lightness of the bloom. You’ll learn how to create harmony in your compositions and evoke that peaceful feeling of a garden just beginning to stir with morning light.

By the end of the course, you’ll complete two finished watercolor paintings that reflect your growth, your style, and your unique way of seeing the world. More than that, you’ll find joy in the process—in each brushstroke, each color choice, each quiet moment with the page.

Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or returning with more experience, this course is a chance to slow down, explore the poetry of watercolor, and celebrate the natural elegance of the wild iris.

Why a 6-week course?

If you're looking for the quickest way to improve your painting skills, be inspired to grow as an artist, and be accountable, this is for you.

Over the span of six weeks, you’ll have the flexibility to work through the curriculum at your own pace, while also having access to personalized support. You can ask questions at any time, submit your paintings for feedback and reviews, and participate in optional bi-weekly interactive one-hour meetings. These live sessions include Q&A and painting reviews, where we’ll address common challenges and provide practical solutions to help you overcome them.

Everyone paints at a different pace, and with that in mind, the schedule below will be our meeting goals.

Meetings are scheduled every other week to allow you time to work on your projects with meetings that last 1 hr to review paintings Q&A, and problem solve.

  • 12 PM - 1 PM / New York
  • 11 AM - 12 PM / Chicago
  • 10 AM - 11 PM / Denver
  •  9 AM - 10 AM / San Francisco

Meeting dates

  • April 29: Introduction and Getting Started
  • May 13: Painting reviews, demonstrations & Q&A
  • May 27: Painting reviews, demonstrations & Q&A
  • June 10: Painting reviews, demonstrations, & Q&A

Paintings chosen for meetings best represent common issues that are helpful to the entire community.

Included in the 6-week course

This structured approach offers the perfect balance of independence, expert guidance, and community interaction to foster your skill development and artistic confidence.

Elegant Shadows

Dive into the illusion of lifting petals by using values.

Backgrounds

Learn to explore options for different kinds of backgrounds and how they affect the feeling of the painting.

What You Will Learn:

  • Techniques for painting delicate petals and intricate details using watercolors.
  • Tips on layering to create depth and dimension.
  • How to use gradients and washes for a smooth transition of colors.
  • Best practices for working with watercolor’s unpredictable nature, from wet-on-wet to dry brush techniques.
  • Building up layers to add depth and dimension to your flower.
  • Creating highlights and shadows to give your painting life.
  • How to design a pleasing composition.
  • How to mix and achieve the delicate hues of the Iris.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have the skills to create your own stunning iris paintings and a deeper understanding of how to bring other floral subjects to life on paper.

Includes

  • Line drawings- no real drawing skills are required
  • Segmented, easy to follow step-by-step video lessons
  • Reference photos and line drawing


Who this is for

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this class will guide you step-by-step through the process of painting this elegant flower using a combination of soft washes and fine details.

Learn everything you did in my in-person workshop and so much more.

About Birgit O'Connor

Status of the (NWWS) NorthWest Watercolor Society, (LWS) Lousiana Watercolor Society, (CWA) California Watercolor Society.

Top-selling books include “Watercolor in Motion,” “Paint Watercolor Flowers,” and “Watercolor Essentials.” she has also been published in over 60 other national and international publications, such as Splash, Watercolor Magazine, American Watercolor Magazine, International Artist Magazine, Australian Artist Magazine, the New York Times, SF Gate, Watercolor Magazine, Dobry Zank (Poland), and L’Art de aquarelle (France).

A featured instructor with many Art Centers and Watercolor Societies throughout the United States and Canada, and faculty member of Watercolor Live 2020, 2021, 2023. Additionally, her work has been juried into several national and international exhibitions. She has also served as a judge and juror for numerous shows, including the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. Her memberships include Cambridge Who’s Who, Who's Who in America, and Who’s Who in American Women.