We are delighted to share a selection of beautiful watercolour paintings by student Iris Russell, who is currently studying on the Watercolour Diploma Course with tutor Steven Hersey.
For her fifth assignment, Iris explored texture and pattern through a series of expressive paintings. Each piece demonstrates her growing confidence in handling watercolour, along with her keen eye for detail and atmosphere.
Her painting of whisky barrels captures the weathered texture of the old casks outside a local distillery. Although Iris described this as “more like a study than a proper finished painting,” it has a wonderful sense of character, with the warm tones of the iron hoops contrasting beautifully against the muted, aged wood.
The two blue door paintings are striking examples of how a subject can be interpreted in different ways. In the Broken Blue Door, Iris aimed for a slightly more stylised look, adding details such as surrounding plants for effect. In contrast, the Dirty Blue Door stays closer to reality, highlighting the peeling paintwork and rusting hinges with incredible accuracy. Iris commented that the roof and distressed paintwork were the details she enjoyed painting the most.
Finally, her Autumn Leaves painting reflects time spent collecting colourful leaves from her own garden. Though Iris modestly described it as “more like a study,” the result is vibrant and full of seasonal richness, showcasing a palette of fiery oranges, yellows, and greens. She noted that if she were to redo the piece, she might simplify the arrangement a thoughtful reflection that shows her analytical approach to learning.
Iris has been painting prolifically since her last assignment, often for several hours a day, even experimenting with gouache alongside her watercolours. Her dedication is clearly paying off, and her tutor Steven has been very impressed with her progress.
We look forward to seeing how Iris develops her style further in upcoming assignments.
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