Exploring Sepia Values: Paint a Monochrome Watercolour Iris in Sepia

Sketchbook Conversations is a series I launched on Patreon to delve into painting techniques, color palettes, and more. The first video tutorial in this series focuses on painting an iris with a monochromatic color scheme. For this piece, I chose sepia. Let's examine the details.

Why the Iris flower?

The Iris flower is one of my favorite subjects. I also have a tutorial on Patreon that explains how to paint an Iris in watercolors using soft washes. As a result, the entire painting process was very fresh in my mind. Additionally, this flower has beautiful petal folds and veins, providing ample opportunity to experiment with color values. This leads me to the second point –

Why Sepia colour?

In short: It mixes well with water and integrates effortlessly. I utilized the Cotman series, which is transparent and offers a pleasant color for layering. Composition: PBk7, PBr7.

Painting process : Monochrome Watercolour Iris in Sepia

I start by developing various sepia tones, beginning with the darkest value achieved through multiple pigment layers and concluding with a very transparent single layer of the color. The variation in sepia tones is achieved by adding water to the pigment and decreasing the number of layers. The lightest sepia tone is a very diluted pigment, suitable for painting the faintest shadows of petal folds.

Throughout the painting process, I employed the wet-on-wet technique by first applying water and then either dabbing pigment onto the desired areas or spreading it with a brush.

For the petals with the lightest pigment value, I applied the color near the pencil lines, adding a second or third layer wherever there are folds. This technique creates varying values among the petals and gradually forms the flower's petals.

I painted some lost edges as well, which adds a lovely soft texture to the composition. To paint the veins, I used a rigger brush on the moistened paper surface to prevent harsh lines.

This painting was created intuitively. Another method to tackle this type of painting is by reducing the photo's saturation, essentially turning it black and white. This provides a clear understanding of the composition's lightest and darkest areas.

You can find the full painting process video on my Patreon as part of the "SketchBook Conversations" series.

Progress photo 1 Sepia values_by SnehaColoursoft

Progress photo 2 Sepia values_by SnehaColoursoft

You can find the sketch, progress photos, a full step-by-step video tutorial of me demonstrating the monochrome Iris painting process, and the final artwork on my Patreon. Watch video here

If this tutorial inspired you to pick up your brushes, come be part of my Patreon family. It’s a space filled with learning, creativity, and encouragement. With each tier you unlock real-time videos, PDF guides, sketches, and a library of detailed watercolor lessons designed to help you grow confidently as an artist.

I hope you find inspiration and decide to join me so we can explore more possibilities together.

Till then, Happy Painting :)