This piece explores atmospheric perspective and cool light. My goal was to push the background branches into a soft, foggy haze, allowing the sharp details of the heron to take center stage. By using a palette of slate blues, soft greys, and earthy ochres for the rocks, I aimed to create a harmony between the water and the land.

The brushwork moves from loose and painterly in the water’s reflection to tight and detailed on the bird’s plumage and the catch in its beak. It is a balance of softness and strength—a tribute to the rugged elegance of the wetland landscape.

I used Galkyd as a medium. It dries fast, and it allows me to blend the edges well.