Mollington Oil Painting – Course Three: Kingfishers

We’ve just wrapped up our third course at Mollington Oil Painting Morning, and what a journey it has been! This time, our focus was on birds — the vibrant and delicate kingfisher.

From the very beginning, the course encouraged us to look closely at colour. We explored how to increase saturation and chroma for those brilliant flashes of blue and orange, and how to mute colours to create depth, distance, and atmosphere.

We began with a burnt sienna underpainting, which gave warmth to the layers that followed and helped the cool blues and greens really sing. As the weeks progressed, we built up textures and gradually pulled the painting forward with tighter mark-making and sharper details.

For me, this subject was a joy. I’ve always loved birds — their precision, their character, and their beautiful palettes. Painting the kingfisher reminded me how much detail can be revealed through patience, layering, and the interplay of warm and cool tones.

I also want to take a moment to thank my students. Your dedication — both in class and at home — has been wonderful to see. This course brought together complete beginners trying oil paints for the very first time and returning students building on their skills. What a huge achievement you have all made!

This course has been both inspiring and rewarding, and I’m already looking forward to seeing you all on the Flowers course next! 🌸