Creating RECKONING
Every painting begins with a moment that lingers in the mind. With RECKONING, I wanted to capture the uneasy balance between beauty and brutality that exists throughout nature — the quiet reality that life and death are constantly intertwined.
From the beginning, the piece was driven by movement, tension, and atmosphere. Rather than creating a peaceful wildlife study, I wanted the painting to feel immediate and emotionally charged, as though the viewer has stepped into a fleeting moment that cannot be paused.
RECKONING | 2026 | Acrylic on Canvas | 10 × 12 in / 25.4 × 30.5cm
Inspiration Behind ‘RECKONING’
The inspiration for RECKONING came from observing how nature often presents moments of violence alongside incredible beauty. A heron standing in still water can appear graceful and serene, yet underneath that calm surface exists instinct, survival, and the relentless cycle of life.
I was particularly drawn to the symbolism of the heron itself. Often associated with patience, stillness, and precision, the bird became the perfect subject for exploring themes of mortality and natural balance. The fish, just caught, introduces a quieter narrative about inevitability and survival within the ecosystem.
The vivid dusk sky and reflective water were designed to heighten this emotional contrast. I wanted the environment to feel almost dreamlike, while the subject matter grounded the piece in something raw and real.
Themes And Symbolism
Although RECKONING centres around a wildlife scene, the painting explores broader ideas surrounding death, instinct, and renewal. Nature does not separate beauty from loss; both exist simultaneously, shaping the rhythm of life.
The circular ripples in the water became an important visual element throughout the composition. They suggest movement, consequence, and continuation — a reminder that every action creates another cycle. The contrast between the calm surface of the marsh and the tension within the scene reflects this ongoing balance between tranquillity and violence.
Much of my work focuses on creating narrative-driven original artwork, and RECKONING continues that exploration through symbolism and atmosphere rather than direct storytelling.
Creative Process
The painting began with graphite compositional sketches, focusing on movement, balance, and the relationship between the heron and its surroundings. After developing the initial composition, I moved into oil pastel studies and colour tests, experimenting with expressive combinations and atmospheric tones before beginning the final piece.
Once the composition was established, I started on the canvas with loose colour washes for the sky and water, allowing layers to blend naturally and create movement throughout the scene. From there, the heron was gradually built up through layered acrylic paint and expressive brushwork, becoming the central focus within the composition.
Key elements of the process:
Graphite sketches: exploring composition, balance, and movement
Oil pastel studies: testing colour relationships and atmosphere
Colour washes: building depth and fluidity within the sky and water
Expressive brushwork: creating energy, texture, and movement throughout the piece
Experimental colour: pushing beyond naturalistic tones to heighten emotion and tension
This approach allowed RECKONING to develop instinctively, balancing controlled composition with more experimental mark-making and colour exploration
Displaying And Sharing My Work
RECKONING forms part of my wider collection of contemporary original artwork exploring atmosphere, symbolism, and emotional storytelling. Alongside wildlife and figurative subjects, my work often examines the relationship between beauty, memory, and human experience.
To explore more original paintings, visit my Portfolio.
Interested in commissioning original artwork? Visit my Contact page to get in touch.