JeffH"s Kingfisher

[JeffH]

WOW! - that's excellent work Mike. Well done and thanks for taking the trouble to ask for my consent beforehand.

You've caught the colouring on the back really well - few artists do and one of my books on Kingfishers actually says this - "the most spectacular of the blues streaks down the back from the neck to the tail and is such a rich colour that it is almost impossible to recreate through painting or photography".

I suspect that one of the main reasons for this (and forgive me if you already knew this and for getting a bit technical here) is that the colouring of a Kingfishers upper parts can appear to turn from bright blue to a rich emerald green with only a slight change in the angle at which the light falls on it. This is the result of the scattering of reflected light by a specially modified colourless structure in the feathers which lies above a layer of black melanin pigment and which filters out certain colours of light, reflecting back only blue. It is known as the Tyndall effect and in fact the seemingly blue feather colours are not due to true pigment as pure blue pigment does not actually exist in birds!

Only the very tip of each feather is so beautifully coloured. Each feather on its own is quite a disappointment as it is the arrangement of the feathers down the bird's back that gives the effect of the complete strip of bright turquoise.

Whatever the technicalities, the fact remains that you've captured the effect very well indeed

Originally Posted by Jez

Is this one from the Kingfisher Diary i read last night?
Cor lummy that was quickly painted

Yes it is Jez, but it's from a photo I included in my very post to the Diary back in March. Here's the photo again for those who missed it originally and for comparison with Mike's excellent painting -



Keep up the good work Mike and, needless to say, feel free to use any of my photos.

Jeff

[paulchandler6]

Another great one Mike. Well done, love the colours.

Paul

[Jez]

Originally Posted by JeffH

WOW! - that's excellent work Mike. Well done and thanks for taking the trouble to ask for my consent beforehand.

You've caught the colouring on the back really well - few artists do and one of my books on Kingfishers actually says this - "the most spectacular of the blues streaks down the back from the neck to the tail and is such a rich colour that it is almost impossible to recreate through painting or photography".

I suspect that one of the main reasons for this (and forgive me if you already knew this and for getting a bit technical here) is that the colouring of a Kingfishers upper parts can appear to turn from bright blue to a rich emerald green with only a slight change in the angle at which the light falls on it. This is the result of the scattering of reflected light by a specially modified colourless structure in the feathers which lies above a layer of black melanin pigment and which filters out certain colours of light, reflecting back only blue. It is known as the Tyndall effect and in fact the seemingly blue feather colours are not due to true pigment as pure blue pigment does not actually exist in birds!

Only the very tip of each feather is so beautifully coloured. Each feather on its own is quite a disappointment as it is the arrangement of the feathers down the bird's back that gives the effect of the complete strip of bright turquoise.

Whatever the technicalities, the fact remains that you've captured the effect very well indeed



Yes it is Jez, but it's from a photo I included in my very post to the Diary back in March. Here's the photo again for those who missed it originally and for comparison with Mike's excellent painting -



Keep up the good work Mike and, needless to say, feel free to use any of my photos.

Jeff

Well if that isn't the biggest compliment Mike

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by Jez

Well if that isn't the biggest compliment Mike

Hmmm - fair enough Jez - rather a long-winded compliment I accept but well intended

Jeff

[smartie]

Magnificent, Mike. Best painting of a kingfisher I've ever seen.

[stirling]

Thank you all for the very kind and constructive comments.

Thank you Jeff for the compliments and very interesting information.

Best from mike.

[annmaria]

You have captured the light really well , it brings the blues to life, very pretty.
Annmaria

[stirling]

Thank you kindly Annmaria.

Best from mike.

[annmaria]

hey have you blocked me from viewing your pics !
Annmaria

[demicav]

Originally Posted by stirling

Painted this one from a great photo by jeffH

Best from mike.

watercolour 16"by20"

Lovely painting Mike.