I started this little drawing by inking an iris with leaves in background. 
Normally I use Bristol Board but, I happened to have a piece of cover stock and drew on that.
Then I started to fill in the back ground. I like to have a color (even if it is very light…and not exactly the color I’d like) but it gives me the confidence to add more color.
I usually use or a vellum bristol board. Paper with a little tooth, not a shiny/smooth surface; but something that will accept layer upon layer of colored pencil, another good alternative is Stonehenge paper. I use PRISMACOLOR colored pencils.
I started with a medium green and scrubbed the paper lightly with the pencil. Then I filled-in each area adding a few different shades of the green. Warmer (yellower) colors for closer leaves and cooler (bluer) shades for deeper leaves…Then I used numerous shades of greens & browns and even reds and pinks…also a little black…to draw in the back ground.
And then adding pinks, magentas, purples, yellows and oranges to the flower. I then take this coloring with pencils a little longer to add deeper hues and values….
And here is the finished product….
I am using it as the front of a thank you note. A co-worker generously shared some of her surplus IRIS bulbs with me…and I appreciate her kindness.
Next week we’ll get back to drawing pages…drawing our INSECT ABCs.
-Rose
