Kingfishers

Watercolor and Albrecht Dürer water color pencils.

I got a painting assignment to paint a Christmas present. Eventually out of the favorite birds of the person receiving the present I chose the Common Kingfisher.

Since I'd never seen kingfishers in real life, I got to know the bird better from pictures and videos. I did some sketching from the videos - the best substitute available to sketching from live birds (and I love the pause button!). After that I did the first sketch of the birds without reference, then with pictures got the details and patterns in place.

After which I spent a couple of nights just painting.

I really enjoyed getting to know these little birds better. Hopefully it won't be long before I get to see some live.