Author: Karen Hartnell

Painting In Progress: Winter Waxwing

The Waxwing is a beautiful bird. A pinkish buff colour, crest set atop the head, black eye ‘mask’. But it’s the red wax-like tips on the wings that give this bird its name. A longed-for winter visitor, some years large numbers are seen throughout Britain. You may be lucky enough to have a group locally, […]

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A Steller’s Sea Eagle In Progress

Currently on the wildlife drawing board, working around the commissions, is this Steller’s Sea Eagle painting. Acrylics, on heavyweight watercolour paper (18″ x 14″, reference photo for the painting: Jo Dale at Wildlife Reference Photos). I’m on a mission to paint the Steller’s Sea Eagle (largest and most powerful) and the Bald Eagle (the largest […]

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Nuthatch, A New Garden Visitor

Last week I was sitting at the kitchen table, having breakfast, and watching the birds through my binoculars when a surprise visitor appeared. A bird I had only seen on two occasions before, high up in tree tops, a nuthatch. It has since become a frequent visitor. What a lovely addition to the garden. Here’s […]

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Eagle Antics Cartoons: Golden vs White-tailed Part 2

Earlier this year I posted a blog [here] showing in cartoon form one of the differences between Golden and White-tailed Eagles. Here is another cartoon, Sibling Rivalry. It is not uncommon for Golden Eagles to have twins, but the youngest can get an incredibly rough deal compared to White-tailed Eagle siblings. In fact, while Goldens […]

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Paintings of Stac Pollaidh and Suilven: Icons of Coigach and Assynt

The hills of Coigach and Assynt have a beauty not found elsewhere in the UK. Their distinctive silhouettes define the skyline of north west Sutherland. The rocks here are some of the oldest on the planet. I’ve been lucky to visit this area several times and I’m always blown away by its beauty. I’ve painted […]

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