Painting the Douglas Iris in Watercolor
From Brush to Bloom
April 29 - June 10
Immediate access
Artists often find themselves stuck, questioning how to approach the background. Should it be a solid color, or should it reflect the complexity of the scene? How do you make the background interesting without overshadowing the main subject? These are crucial considerations that can make or break a piece of art.
In this 6-week course, we will explore various options, tips, and techniques to tackle backgrounds and shadows with confidence. We’ll keep things simple and easy to follow, so you can apply what you’ve learned and take your watercolor skills to the next level. You'll also have the opportunity to create two beautiful paintings that will help reinforce the concepts discussed, and I believe you'll truly enjoy the process!
In this immersive watercolor course, you'll learn how to capture the delicate beauty of shadows, develop interesting backgrounds, and explore essential watercolor techniques such as layering, glazing, and blending to create depth and texture in a Wild Iris painting. You’ll also learn how to capture the petals' intricate patterns and gentle color gradients and portray the transparency and lightness that make petals so enchanting.
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
Introduction - Getting Started
Backgrounds and exercise reviews
Painting review: Douglas Iris
Painting review: Wild Iris
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 orchid 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.
