Black Cockatoo and Orange Flowering Gum

Black Cockatoo and Orange Flowering Gum – 58x67cms – Watercolour – This original isΒ SOLD

‘Black Cockatoo and Orange Flowering Gum’ is a powerful watercolour study of two all time favourite Australian plant and bird subjects. With their boldness, beauty and abundance of personality, the black cockatoo is never far from my mind as a natural history artist. They come with so many technical challenges, particularly when working in watercolour and its a challenge I really love to rise to.

Inspired by my own backyard, so to speak, I was captivated by the spectacular show the flowering gums put on once again for us this summer. When I came across this orange eucalyptus in a complete mass of flower, sunlight streaming through the flowers to a vibrant luminous show stopping display, I raced home for the camera and high tailed it back to study more closely…. despite having done this so many times before!

Delicate orange filaments, clusters of fabulous, complex flower buds, bunches of textural gum nuts hanging from the most gorgeous peeling and beautiful branches… There is always something more to see, to learn, to be amazed by. Every subject, no matter how familiar, is so completely unique. As a natural history artist, this really is the stuff that speaks right to your soul.

The orange in this flowering gum just screamed for the brilliant orange, yellows and reds of the Black Cockatoo, and so theΒ drawing board came ablaze with the brilliant colours and boldness of this black cockatoo painting. You can learn more about the creation of this painting in the blog section of my site, including time lapse footage of the progress on my Youtube Channel.

heidi willis_natural history_bird_Botanical artist_watercolour

This painting is now sold, but please let me know if you have any enquiries on other pieces or would like to discuss a commission just for you

This painting is also available in print, just follow the link for more information