Chris Osborne Art 
Eastern Water Dragon
The Story Behind the Painting
An eastern water dragon at Snakes Downunder Reptile Park just outside Childers. I have seen plenty of these water dragon hiking around the Blue Mountains when I used to live in NSW.
One night around the campfire I was showing off my artwork and most people were impressed apart from one Karen. “That’s wrong, all wrong” I said “what do you mean it’s wrong I got it almost photographically correct”
She said “lizards are grey they don’t have any colour, because I live in Victoria and I have never seen them with colour.” This totally stunned me and I didn’t have the original photo on my phone to prove her wrong, but as I looked around the campfire and saw other people smirking at her comment, I knew I didn’t have to defend myself or my grand champion artwork.
Sometimes you get a Karen criticising your artwork or photograph and you know they are clearly wrong, don’t let this get you down.
Apologies to any Karens reading this if your clearly an exception.
Now the grand champion art work at the 2023 Miles show. An artwork that I am so proud of and admired by almost everyone to visit my gallery.
My Painting Process
Stage 1.
Stage 2.
Stage 3.
Stage 4.
Stage 5.
Stage 6.
Stage 7.
Stage 8.
I was having difficulty with white lichen on the log, every time I got it close to looking like the photograph it looked wrong as a painting. In the end I decided to make the log look more natural and darken the underside of the log and not as much white lichen.
Finished artwork.
Framed Artwork.
The eastern dragon won multiple awards including the Miles Show Grand Champion and currently my favourite artwork.
As of 03/08/2025, I sold my lizard with a tear in my eye. It’s so emotional selling your favorite artwork that you have spent almost 50 hours perfecting. This artwork has brought me joy for the past two years. I know it has gone to a good home in Sydney and will be cherished and admired for many more.
Farewell, my Eastern Water Dragon. May you have many more people admiring your beauty for years to come.
Gouache on Canson Paper
For my Black Label collection I use Winsor & Newton Gouache on Black Colourfix Art Spectrum Paper or Black Mi-Teintes Touch Canson Paper.
My painting come from my own experiences that I have 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.
Enjoy, Chris Osborne
Chris Osborne Art 
What would Karen know. It’s a beautiful painting. I used to live in Manly and I miss seeing my Water Dragon friends on the walk to Shelly Beach and back.
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I think we all come across a Karen from time to time.
I know what you mean, I used to see them when I jogged beside the Nepean River. Not sure who got the biggest fright once you startled them.
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