Oh my gosh, has it been a struggle! This painting has really given me fits but I THINK it is done. I started it by working on a wet-in-wet background as part of my demo at the Broad Ripple Art Fair. I painted the entire thing and decided that it was flat and boring because I did not have enough variation in my values. Plugging away over several days I got that fixed but then I decided that the color was very blah so I’ve spent the last day working on that. I think the painting is about as good as I can make it. I find dark purples to be hard to bring alive but I’m learning. I am not unhappy with it and I thought about cropping and making small paintings of the parts I really like. But then I decided to leave it alone…it is a quarter sheet size and I really didn’t want to cut it down because I’ve done so many small paintings lately. Anyway, here goes…
Purple Iris, 140# Arches Paper and Transparent Watercolor
Linda Halcomb's Blog 
this is a very impressive painting.
I really like the deep colours you used
Thank you! I really appreciate your comments.
I really like this. It says something about the coolness of being nestled in amongst all the tall grasses and leaves. I wouldn’t be so hasty to call it boring. It is largely a painting dealing with cool colors. It might be that that you are feeling, Linda. If you had wanted to do some popping with it, I find that oranges and yellows work nicely with greens and blues and purples. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a painting like this. I love what you do with flowers!
Hi Leslie, I had tried to incorporate some yellows and golds but there was not enough and you didn’t really notice them. I have done a little more with cad yellow, orange and red. It looks a little more lively and I think I am ready to stop tinkering. Thanks for your ideas. I think I need to be a little more bold with the contrasting colors. I seem to do it right and then for the next painting I lose my courage! Not intuitive yet…
Whoops! Bad sentence in there in the middle. It might be that that is what you are feeling, Linda. That all cool color thing.
Oooh! Pretty! It was worth all the time you put into it. Loverly!
Thanks Cindy! I appreciate your comment.
I thing it’s pretty, Linda. I love the purple with the light blues. 🙂 I can’t even imagine painting on a large surface. I need to do more of those, myself.
I was becoming very fascinated doing small pieces – ACT’s and 5X7’s. I had to make myself go larger. I get uncomfortable when I am becoming too comfortable with anything. Does that make sense?
You have captured the irises perfectly I’m jealous. Some how flowers and I don’t mix. lol
I love your beautiful landscapes but I haven’t done any all year. I want to jump into them this summer. I get overwhelmed by all the choices! You are excellent at choosing a single center of interest. Thanks for your kind comment!
I think you did a great job. I love all the blues, purples and greenish-blues together.
I have to remind myself that I can’t only use the colors I love – greens, teals, blues, the whole cool side of the palette – and that they look better with their compliments. Thank you for the encouragement!
Linda, the minute I got to your site I was taken in by the color of this piece. The color is WONDERFUL. A very beautiful piece. All your hard work paid off!
Don’t you just love the ones that make your work. lol