Irises in Echenevex by Seok Yam Chew

This is beautiful. Great background. Looks like the sun is shining on the iris.

Thanks very much, Carole. I was aided by great sunlight when I took the photograph. It's the first time I'm trying out Mussini's Payne's Gray Bluish, which was recommended for dark backgrounds by Susan Harrison Tustain in her book. I do like it very much, it mixes so well with Prussian Blue, Viridian as well as Violet.

Thanks for the info, not sure I've heard of Mussini paint.

Ps. Seok, I just found out the Payne's Grey Bluish is made by Schmincke. Thanks for the tip, will try it.

Hi Carole, yes, you are right. My apologies for the misinformation. The Schmincke range of oils is called Mussini, but I just realised that the Schmincke range of watercolors is just called Schminke!

Thank you Seok, no apology needed. Didn't know schmincke range of oils was called Mussini, so I learned something today!

This is a lovely painting - the leaves are particularly well painted. I have just spent a most enjoyable 15 minutes looking through your gallery!

Thank you very much, Helen!

what a fab painting seok. you have realy captured the delicate petals on this beautiful iris. I also have a book by susan harrison tustain, she gives some really good tips and paints beautiful flowers.

A beautiful painting, the colours are just so wonderful. I must give watercolour a try in the future. You have inspired me.

Thank you Shelley andStephen.

These irises are superbe and you're a master at negative painting; I'd dearly love someone to teach me. A beautiful gallery.

Many thanks Avril. Actually I still struggle with negative painting, especially since I started with oil painting where I never needed it. It's been 4 years and I am still having to train my mind to look at negative shapes. There is no magic to it, but what I do is usually paint the positive shapes first and then add the irregular shaped holes (in darker shades) where they are needed. I started with trees, which were the easiest to achieve, and it was basically adding small triangular or other irregular shapes at the edges (you can take a look at the trees in my Singapore watercolors portfolio to see what I mean). It's not everyone's style, but it's just how I do it because it's about as much as my mind and hand coordination can manage. At the end of the day, it sounds like a cliche, but practice makes it easier. In any event, your watercolors are pretty beautiful in their own right.

beautiful and refined kyou seok

Thanks very much, Jane,

Have only just come across this beautiful painting and that led me into your fascinating gallery. Your work is so delicate, uncomplicated and very effective. I really enjoyed looking through it. Thank you.

Thanks very much for your kind comments, Julia!

I was looking through your brill galley and i love this one and the new one you have just put on,:)LInda

Thank you so very much, Linda!

Ditto, the last few comments. All your work is so beautiful. Looking forward to your next postings.

Thank you very much. Sarah!

Isnt it the simplicity of nature that allows artists to discover something new. Beautiful.

Thank you very much, Dave! Have to admit I find nothing simple about painting these flowers! They're a nightmare, but I'm glad I managed something after three attempts!