Chris Osborne Art 
Three Kings Fishing
The Story Behind the Painting
These birds have all been photographed in Queensland in three different locations and environments.
- Azure Kingfisher
A few months ago I photographed this kingfisher at Mon Repos beach Queensland, in the afternoon setting sun. Since I was in an open area it was a little more difficult to photograph this shy bird and I mush have walked a few kms. - Collared Kingfisher
This is the first time I’d seen this type of kingfisher and it was photographed just out side the Alexandria park zoo down by the Burnett River. - Red-Backed Kingfisher
I have previously painted this little kingfisher but decided to flip the photo and re paint it a little smaller and in the same direction as the other two kingfishers and frame them all together. It was photographed while camping out at Winton, Queensland.
My Painting Process
I love painting kingfishers as you get to use a nice bright happy pallet, which is a change from my more earthly pallet from most Australian animals.
I started painting this little kingfisher on some mangrove roots, however I changed the colour from a drab dirty green to something more pleasant.
Time to add some vibrant aqua and blue wings before working on the head, eyes and then the beak.
This little bird may have been a juvenile as its colouring didn’t quite match the book example of a dark strip under the eyes.
Made a few changes by adding more feather on the head and darkening the stripe under they eye.
Here is a close up of the last kingfisher showing the the fine detail and small size of my artwork.
This kingfisher, still remains my favourite of the three as it just so cute and fluffy.
It also just appeared while I was taking a photo of an eagle and in a split second it was gone.
- Azure Kingfisher
- Collared Kingfisher
- Red-Backed Kingfisher
Do you like the idea of framing three birds together as a group of similar birds, or do you prefer individual artworks framed ?
Gouache Colour Palette
I use Winsor & Newton Gouache on Arches France Watercolour Paper, 300g Cold Pressed.
My painting come from my own experiences that I have lived and photographed while traveling. By reading this blog, you as a viewer can now hear The Story Behind the Painting. Where, when, what was happening while I was photographing the wildlife.
If you want more details about my adventures checkout my travel blog website www.ChrisOsborneAdventures.wordpress.com
Enjoy, Chris Osborne
Chris Osborne Art 