Why I decided on creating a kingfisher with mixed media
Recently I have been working a lot with pastels and my last attempt pointed out the need for a more substantial ground for the pastel layers. Here I have added pumice gel and on top of that I added acrylic inks and stenciling. As you can see from the photos the pumice gel takes a number of layers of pastel.
The kingfisher I chose because of its beautiful colours and also because I am working on a larger piece (for https://cerianartist.com) that includes a kingfisher and this was a great way to get to know the colourings and feather shapes better.
Today I am going to take a deeper look inside Creating a Kingfisher with Mixed Media by focusing on some of the other features involved in making art. Every piece starts with some sort of inspiration whether that is manually generated or bestowed upon us by the gods. I often looked to nature for inspiration for art when I feel like just practising my painting and the kingfisher is such a striking subject with its colouring being a natural complementary colour scheme. Read on for a deeper look behind the inspiration for Creating a Kingfisher with Mixed Media. I intend to take a more holistic and thematic angle and maybe this will, in turn, spark your creativity.
Inspiration Behind Choosing the Kingfisher
A kingfisher is a magnificent being. The speed with which it identifies its prey beneath a glistening surface and cuts the air as a dart to enter the water without a sound is awe inspiring. It is only a tiny creature but it plays its part in the drama of life and death each day with tenacity and elegance.
Beyond my personal appreciation of the kingfisher’s aesthetic appeal there is a world of symbolism to explore.
The kingfisher’s hunting technique is key in Celtic lore wherein it is known for its ability to dive into the waters of the subconscious, unlocking hidden wisdom and insights, thus symbolizing the pursuit of deeper knowledge and personal growth 1. This powerful metaphor would work well in an art journal with the kingfisher entering the water and the water containing issues or problems you are currently facing.
Sitting on a branch overlooking water, as in my page, the kingfisher is portrayed as a guardian spirit of water, serving as a bridge between the mortal world and the spiritual realm. Sighting one was thought to bring good fortune, protection, and guidance, especially during times of need 2. This spiritual aspect of the kingfisher would be good in a meditation linked to creating art in a personal journal.
Possibly you are creating a page of art while being mindful of others. As the kingfisher is also considered a symbol of peace and prosperity, promising love and plenty for those who encounter it 3 including one in such a page could help express concern for others. Their appearance is often seen as an omen of good luck and an indicator of prosperity and happiness to come 4 which ties in nicely with this intention.
Choosing the Media to Reflect the Essence of a Kingfisher
In painting this kingfisher I wanted the page to glow to reflect the spiritual connotations of the bird. To achieve this I have chosen an orange and teal overpainted with stencilling and then yellow Inktense pencil to enhance the glow with white added to push this effect. The kingfisher itself was painted with soft pastels and coloured pencils were used to bring out the details. I feel like the result is fairly spiritual. You can see my process in the photos below.
The Emotional Journey of the Artistic Process
For me, each piece begins with joyful colour; simple mark making, pure pleasure and an excellent warm up for the next phase. This like a kingfisher – brightly coloured and looking for movement in the waters. The next phase of blocking in brings solidity to sketchy outlines like spotting a shoal of fish moving as one beneath the surface. Next the kingfisher must pinpoint one fish among many as I must grapple with detail within the painting, make corrections, then in the final phase … dive and the bird retreats back out of the water with a fish. I can stand back and allow pride for completion of the process.
Gallery of Process Shots
The Role of Environment in Shaping Artistic Interpretation
Having all my supplies around is a must for me – it’s part of setting up ‘the hunt’ – just as the kingfisher chooses his perch. I begin by adding colour – the water’s surface beckons, then I rifle around in my supplies, making marks here and there – like catching a glimpse of something beneath the surface. I find I must have a peaceful perch for my creations, somewhere I can pursue the process uninterrupted. Like the kingfisher I take myself away from all the noise and the chatter. Good lighting is essential too – like the kingfisher, for me, clear day light is a must but no glaring lights catching me in the eyes. This makes the water’s hidden depths impenetrable.
At this point I would love to encourage you to think about how you interpret the artwork I have made and then how might you interpret the subject differently? What part of the kingfisher symbolism appeals to you and how might you use mixed media to bring that forward in your own art? Go ahead and make a page of your own if time allows and share it with the tag #24StepsKingfisher.
- https://spiritualark.com/spiritual-meaning-of-kingfisher-bird/)). This powerful metaphor would work well in an art journal with the kingfisher entering the water and the water containing issues or problems you are currently facing.
Sitting on a branch overlooking water, as in my page, the kingfisher is portrayed as a guardian spirit of water, serving as a bridge between the mortal world and the spiritual realm. Sighting one was thought to bring good fortune, protection, and guidance, especially during times of need (( https://centerspirited.com/animal-symbolism/kingfisher/ [↩]
- https://centerspirited.com/animal-symbolism/kingfisher/ [↩]
- https://centerspirited.com/animal-symbolism/kingfisher/ [↩]
- https://symbolopedia.com/kingfisher-symbolism-meaning/ [↩]
