Iris 'Porcelain Frills'

I found this lovely white iris in the gardens of Chateau de Vullierens. It posed a special challenge; painting a white flower on a white background, the backdrop of a classic botanical image. Additionally, as the iris in general makes for lots of shadows due to its waving, pleating and folding petals and sepals, I had to create shadows on the flower, which is harder to do than on any other color for it must be done in such a way that the flower still 'reads' as white.
Additionally, this principally white iris has a yellow 'neck', or in French a 'fond jaune'. So there you have it: white on white, shadows on white and shadows on yellow, which is the second hardest color to shade. A few subtle atmospheric fades in the back, dreamy behind the green leaves, completed the scene.

© Gusta van Dobbenburgh