As kingfishers catch fire

As kingfishers catch fire: ink and watercolour on canvas

It is such a thrill to see a flash of blue as you walk by the Thames, but before you can even form the word ‘kingfisher’ in your head, let alone point it out to a companion, it is gone. Occasionally, I have been lucky enough to see one, just perched on a branch while out in the kayak, but usually, I am busy trying to avoid falling in.

My mind always turns to this wonderful poem, but the truth is I can only remember the first line, so I have painted this kingfisher instead, to capture that thrill.

I textured my canvas with tissue paper to capture the watery ripples of the river, and then painted the kingfisher in ink and watercolour, before sealing it with a cold wax and buffing it to a gently sheen. It is framed in a simple black tray frame. I have put a photo of the close up detail to show the texture on the canvas. You might also like this pair of kingfishers. They would look lovely hung together in a larger space, or on their own.

As kingfishers catch fire