The kingfisher

Full of movement - once had a sort of conversation with a kingfisher: it darted about under and around the bridge at Freshwater Causeway (Isle of Wight), and when it paused briefly, I asked it "how the hell am I supposed to paint you?"; I did get a drawing of it (wonder where THAT went..) but I've never tried to paint one: they're so delicate, the colour so fantastic, the speed - the turns, the diving - so confusingly great, that I feared producing a dull, dead image. Well, I don't suppose you found it any easier than I did to persuade the critter to pause and pose, but you've produced a painting that bounces with life: and for once, those splashes of watercolour are completely appropriate (I normally dislike them, and the dripping technique - an old man's prejudices). I do like the expression on the face of the fish: eg, "This is shaping up to be a really bad day..."

Wow! Really beautiful and stunningly painted!

Superb and beautifully painted.

What Robert has said can't be bettered - super painting Steven

As has already been said this is so full of movement it's wonderful.

A terrific watercolour of this wonderful Kingfisher you have captured so beautifully. Where I go fishing I am lucky enough to frequently catch sight of a mating pair that fly by and nest on a small island. Unfortunately as Robert has said they are not a bird who sit long enough to study.

Beautifully painted and as others have said full of movement.

A dazzling bird, beautifully portrayed, Steven! You've really captured the flamboyant flourish, power and speed of this spectacular bird.

So lively and vibrant, just like the little gem kingfisher.

Real Nice...