Kris Parins

Florida, USA, Green Heron, Red Mangrove, watercolor, 29 x 21" (74 x 53 cm)

My Inspiration

Spending winters in Florida has given me the opportunity to observe many species of birds, both native and migratory. With every bird painting I create, I enjoy learning more about their habits, personalities and peculiarities.

I’d spied the green heron on my morning walks around a nearby harbor. Maybe he was getting used to me or was so hungry he couldn’t be bothered to take flight. Whatever the reason, he allowed me to approach slowly with my camera while he concentrated on catching his fishy breakfast in the water below the mangroves. I was able to capture several good photos while closely observing his activities.

My Design Strategy

As a former art director and graphic designer, I appreciated the design potential of the scene that nature presented: the framing of the leaves above, sky reflection below, and the shy, subtly-colored bird emerging from the dark shade in-between. My idea was for the viewer to take a moment to find the bird in my painting, just as it would occur in nature.

In planning the composition, I made the mangrove twigs slant to direct attention toward the bird. The strong diagonal of the bird’s head and beak balance the opposing angle of the twigs and branch. I designed the overall background to be sufficiently detailed to suggest reality but not so interesting as to distract from the main subject.

My Working Process

Back in my studio, I edited the photos, combining several shots for the background reference and another for a close-up of the heron. I began the painting with the sky color in the foreground. After applying masking fluid to protect the reflected sky area the bird shape, I poured several liquefied watercolor pigments in the area of the background and encouraged the paint to flow and mix on the paper. This created the effect of reflections and shadows on water. Then I removed the mask. Working from light to dark with a brush, I carefully painted the heron, twigs and leaf detail.

Contact Details

» Email: kris@krisparins.com

» Website: www.krisparins.com