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Sunday 29 July 2012

My first kingfisher sighting

Those of you who have read my last post will know that I was quite excited about a trip to Ken Bromleys art supplies on Friday - the leaflet said and I quote 'come and visit our interactive showroom where you can browse our art materials and even try them out on our tester table. Our showroom assistants are all practicing artists and are there to offer help and advice' - so off I went on the 120 mile round trip expecting to spend a good few hours in a huge warehouse testing art materials, chatting to practicing artists etc.  - well, we got there and to say I was disappointed is an understatement!  A tiny room which did have a tester table but with limited supplies to test and a small selection of art materials on display - the showroom assistant (not a practicing artist!) admitted that the leaflet is a little misleading - well we had a good laugh about it and I bought the watercolour paper I was after, some Bristol board and some inktense blocks - from now on I will be using their excellent online service!!!  Anyway we thought about where else we could go in the area to make the hour long trip there worthwhile so off we went to Meresands to see if we could spot any kingfishers as I love these gorgeous birds but had never actually seen one before.  It was a 2 and a half hour wait but finally the kingfisher made an appearance, obscured a little by some annoying pink flowers but I saw him - and what a beauty he was!    A bonus was meeting wildlife photographer and fellow blogger Brian Rafferty, what a lovely guy! We reluctantly had to leave to get back home and of course soon after we left the kingfisher plonked himself on a branch right in front of the hide where we would have got a really good look at him - never mind there's always next time - and I was happy enough to get the sighting I did of him.  So to test out the new watercolour paper I bought from KBs I painted a kingfisher from one of Gary's photos.  I'm not too pleased with the result but am posting him anyway!




and here is one I painted of a kingfisher in flight last year from a photo by Chrissy M


and here is a photo of the kingfisher we saw on Friday - couldn't get a decent shot because there were pink flowers obscuring the view from where we were sitting - next time!!!!



Comments welcome as always!  

22 comments:

  1. Dear Sharon, buy fine art materials , for me, is always a hard work!
    There seems to be everything but not even what interests me.
    With any person I'm talking about the same.... it seems that buying online is the only solution! But it's so nice to buy
    "Live!" I understand your joy before and disappointment later.
    Good thing you found and painted graceful kingfisher!

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    1. that part of the day was a bit of a disappointment I was looking forward to good old browse but it was followed by a great afternoon seeing the kingfisher!

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  2. Sharon. Once again congratulations on your first kingfisher..nice to share it with yourself and Gary. Love the in flight painting above...Hope to meet up with you both again sometime,meantime take care and enjoy your rambling and painting.

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    1. Thanks Brian - I'm sure we'll see you again in a hide somewhere sometime lol! Keep those great photos coming!

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  3. Love both your kingfisher paintings! It must be wonderful to see him in real life!
    I also shop online mostly for art supplies.

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    1. they are beautifully colourful little birds - and so fast in flight!!! Smaller than I expected too!

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  4. When you mentioned Ken Bromley's I thought it would be a big place too!...oh well, at leasst you bought some lovely art supplies. Your kingfisher paintings are really good. I saw one years ago in the New Forest whilst horse riding, couldn't believe what an incredible colour this little bird was and So quick in flight!

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    1. Thank you Ann, I'm not happy with the one I did last night so will be having another go! They are fast aren't they - how lovely it must be horseriding through the New Forest - lucky you!!

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  5. I haven't seen a Kingfisher close up yet .. but we did rescue a juvenile green woodpecker from the road on Saturday (I've Blogged about it). Had to pick it up and put it in a safe place so I managed to get a couple of quick photos but didn't want to stress it too much.

    Your paintings are lovely. I wish there were more places to try art supplies (particularly papers which are so expensive if you have to buy pads/blocks)

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    1. You're so right Sue - when we left KBs to go hunting for kingfishers I said - if I ever win the lottery I'll set up my own interactive showroom where artists can come and try before they buy! Wouldn't it be fab! I'm off to read your blogpost now take care >>>>>>

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  6. Thanks for the tip off on Ken Bromley. I'm really pleased you managed to see a kingfisher. You do need patience but it's worth the wait. Fabulous painting too.

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    1. Seeing the kingfisher was wonderful, glad you like the painting!

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  7. As I know what the set up is and nearly took a job there I haven't ever read the blurb about it but I guess you're right about it being misleading.... you should have seen their previous premises!!!! It was in a sort of large shed come warehouse so the new premises are a great improvement on that and the retail side previously was very limited. I do think they are trying to build up the retail counter sales but it is not a big part of their business so I guess it is a question of balance. Having said that I think you are right there is a need for a truly interactive showroom....... somewhere for artists to go and really check out the products before they buy, especially as Ann said to test papers. They do have an area to check out small samples of paper, paint and brushes but I think you are right it isn't what you might believe it to be from the advertising...... I visit quite often as they sometimes have items which are on offer and have bought some cheap heavy paper in the past. Occasionally when they have a glut of these offers they mark it all down to half price so have had some really good bargains especially with the paper. Anyway if you won't be going again will maybe have to arrange to meet up somewhere half way!!!

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    1. I'd definitely go there again if it was nearby like it is for you but it's just too far to make the trip on the offchance I might get a bargain. It's great that they're making the effort to allow customers to try and hopefully they will build on this some more - I did ask while I was there if I could try out some DS paints but they said I could only try what was on the table which were W&Ns. We'll get to meet somewhere soon - good idea to meet half way - it would only be half an hour for each of us then - there are a few exhibitions I'd like to go and see too

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  8. Dear Sharon,
    Your beautiful work is full of love for creatures and nature. The blog also has lovely photos! Please keep up wonderful art work.
    Best wishes, Sadami

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    1. thank you so much Sadami - I'm glad my love of animals and nature comes across, thank you for visiting

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  9. Solo he visto una vez en mi vida un kingfisher, me dejo tan deslumbrada con sus colores que ni pensé en la cámara que llevaba. Lo has representado muy bien.

    Yo acabo de salir de una compra de esas decepcionante, con mucha ilusión compré por internet unos pinceles y cuando han llegado su mango mide menos de 5 cms.?
    Un abrazo,

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    1. Esto es un pequeno pincel! Es por esto que es necesario para ver los productos antes de comprarlos, asi que no se arrepentira!

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  10. Wonderful images of a beautiful little bird... so lovely to see.

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  11. Lovely pictures...how exciting to see one that close:)

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  12. You have captured the kingfisher beautifully with your water colors! Well done! BTW, I found you from The Brownstone Birding blog!

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I love hearing from you, thank you so much for leaving a comment - I will always try to leave a reply and pop over to visit your blog if you have one - although sometimes I may be slower than others, have a wonderful day xx