3rd August 2025 Beena
There were many comments about my watercolour painting of the swan. Some thought it was a Mandarin duck, and another person felt it was a goose. This is a watercolour painting of a swan, and the tricky part was trying to capture the leaves with light and shadow. I spent hours observing the swan, the leaves, and how light and shadow interact, and then translating that onto the canvas was a delightful challenge.
There is a lot of confusion about these three birds. Swans have the longest neck, while ducks have the shortest. The duck’s bill is short and flat, the goose’s is round and short, and the swan’s is long and narrow.
It’s fascinating how our perception can change over time and with greater understanding. Just as I initially struggled to tell these birds apart, I’ve discovered that extended exposure can uncover the most intriguing differences.
Entitled ‘Time for Quiet Reflection’, this painting gently reminds us in our fast-paced lives. Taking a moment to pause, step back, and reflect can offer a fresh perspective. Just as spending time with the three birds reveals their unique qualities, so too can a pause in our lives uncover new insights.