“Good Morning Mrs. King” Time-lapse

The reference photo I took was in the early morning, the sun had just come up and Mrs. King Parrot landed on the now dormant Wisteria vine climbing one of the posts on our wrap-around veranda. She looked right at my camera as if to say “Good morning” (and no doubt also “What are you doing out here with that big black lens again?!”).

One of the many things I find mesmerizing about the king parrots is how their feathers change in different light. They are so reflective that in low light their green goes quite dark (on the male it can almost look black) and then in bright sunlight, as she is here, the green is that vibrant green of translucent new foliage. There are also transitions of colours in individual feathers as well, making them extra fun and challenging to paint.

The layering of the watercolours to build up those reflections and movements in the feathers is quite magical as it comes together. I’m always conscious about not trying to perfectly replicate the photograph but rather celebrate the art medium I’m working in. I love thinking through the color layering process and I find myself already thinking about what I want to try differently the next time.