Heron with Banana Leaf by Patsy King

Chinese painting is surely for you Patsy. You have been working quickly on this one and it is very good.

This is just lovely, very well painted.

I love it and don't know how you might improve it....maybe a slightly cooler green?

I think the green's ok, and the bird is excellent - anyone coming to Chinese painting after following a western tradition for a long time is going to find it hard to cast off old ways, and by "hard" I'm not sure I don't mean impossible. But I don't think it matters: you have your own style and character as a watercolourist; and it contributes to and enriches what you're learning from the Chinese method. The fact that you can't or don't stick to the latter religiously is inevitable, and I wouldn't worry about it at all. This is a good and lively painting, which is all that does matter.

So typically Chinese. I love the Heron. Very well done Patsy.

The Heron is very well done, like this, very effective.

I agree with Robert. It would be hard for a westerner to stick to the rigid rules of Chinese brushwork. Take the bones of the discipline and put your stamp on it IMHO.Better and better. Well done.

You are developing a good style here. You have got the heron in a perfect stance. Well done.

You are building up a lovely little aviary of birds, Patsy. I think this fellow is a smasher. I like the grey and green colour combo it works for me anyhow. Well done and keep those feathered friends coming. I say, dont worry about the techniques you use, just follow your own ideas and see what turns up.

Hi Patsy, You are certainly psychic, as well as very instinctive about people. I was much admiring this, very expressively painted, lovely clear washes; the heron is a favourite of mine. I've been busy, will try to get a mo in the morning to write. Congrats on Alexander, how lovely!

Hello Patsy:-) this is absolutely lovely, agree with Robert the green is just fine the way it is, and the heron is fantastic, love the stance.

this heron was on my fence this morning, looking around thegardens for a gold fish no doubt lovely lovely