de Winton Paper co.

A New Tutorial and a Big Watercolour Breakthrough...I really think you should watch this. (Patreon)

Published:

2026-06-18 16:41:27

Imported:

2026-10

Tags:

irises

Content

Hi Everyone,

For years, irises have been one of those flowers that I've quietly avoided painting: all I could see was complexity.

But the other day something clicked! And I filmed the process for Youtube which you can watch right now above (I've linked it straight from my Youtube channel to save you the journey!) I'm compelled to tell you all as it was a massive breakthrough for me.

Instead of trying to paint every petal and every detail, I started looking for the movement, the gesture and the character of the flower. And for the first time, I felt like I wasn't fighting the iris- I was simply painting it.

This week's YouTube tutorial is a really special one for me because it captures that breakthrough. It's not just about painting irises; it's about letting go of the idea that we have to paint everything we see.

The result is loose, expressive, joyful watercolour that somehow feels more like an iris than any of my more detailed attempts ever did. I even managed to successfully lift colour which is another thing I've struggled with.

I know many of you are on a similar journey of trying to loosen up your painting style, so I wanted to share this one with you first. If you've ever looked at a subject and thought, "That's far too complicated for me," I hope this tutorial encourages you to have another go.

Sometimes the breakthrough comes when we stop trying so hard to control every brushstroke.

Files

Bold Brushstrokes, Beautiful Irises | Skip the Details

How to Paint Loose & Expressive Watercolour Irises | Let Go of the Details Become a Youtube member! Join my channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLc91tlwoZD6i_4RXKtCH0Q/join Filmed and edited by Ant https://www.farwoodphotography.com/ Get all your Signed Books, Art Supplies and worksheets here https://www.etsy.com/shop/deWintonPaperco Join me at an in-person workshop here! https://dewintonpaperco.com/watercolour-workshops-2/ Join my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/dewintonpaperco?fan_landing=true For years, irises intimidated me. Their ruffled petals, intricate shapes, and endless details always felt overwhelming. But everything changed when I stopped trying to paint every petal perfectly and instead focused on capturing their movement, energy, and wild beauty. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to paint loose and expressive watercolour irises that feel alive on the page. Rather than getting lost in the details, we'll use confident brushstrokes, flowing colour, and a little bit of creative freedom to create flowers full of character. In this tutorial you'll learn: • How to simplify complex flowers • Techniques for loose, expressive brushwork • Creating beautiful petal shapes with minimal detail • Using watercolour blooms and soft edges to your advantage • How to paint flowers with confidence and freedom If you've ever felt intimidated by irises - or any flower that seems too complicated - this tutorial is for you. Sometimes the most beautiful paintings happen when we stop trying to control every detail and simply let the paint do what it does best. So grab your favourite watercolours and join me as we embrace the wonderfully wild nature of irises. ✨ Subscribe for weekly watercolour tutorials, sketchbook inspiration, and creative adventures. #WatercolourTutorial #WatercolourFlowers #IrisPainting #LooseWatercolour #ExpressiveWatercolour #BotanicalArt #WatercolourForBeginners #PaintWithMe