Magpies, you either love them or you don’t! I know that as a child I often feared they would swoop and carry me off into the distance, little did I know that it was just father Magpie protecting his young. In fact I haven’t seen them swoop for decades!

Instead, I find so much beauty in their elegant strong demeanor and graceful stride not to mention their fabulous warbling song! They are found all over Australia and are often seen sitting on an old timber fence somewhere in the countryside.

If you have ever wondered what the difference was between males and females, it is the whiteness on the back of their heads and neck. Females tend to be a bit greyer towards the bottom, and males will be very white right to the bottom.

I attempted this painting of Mr Magpie 3 times and am now finally happy with it! It is painted on Saunders Waterford 300gsm CP paper with Daniel Smith watercolours. Approximately 27cm x 37cm, unframed.