Online Gallery
2026 Adult Categories
Rachel Harris
Sacred kingfisher
Pastel
This pastel drawing captures a fleeting encounter on a still morning in rich colour and detail. I used a combination of soft pastels and pastel pencils to re-create the flash of turquoise, orange and white, diving into the still water of the river, emerging with its catch. Pastel was idea for capturing the calm stillness of the river's surface, the vibrant colours, details and softness of the kingfisher's feathers, and the unpredictable movement of the water.
The sacred kingfisher is widespread and can be found in mangroves, woodlands, forests and river valleys throughout Australia, New Zealand and the western Pacific, including northern Tasmania's Don River, where this kingfisher was spotted.
Size: 67 × 53 cm
Have a question about this artwork? Email us!
Share
About Rachel Harris
Rachel is an emerging artist based in nipaluna/Hobart, lutruwita/Tasmania, specialising in realistic colour pencil and pastel drawings of Tasmanian wildlife. A scientist by training, Rachel’s work stands out for her attention to detail, and ability to capture wildlife personality and behaviours. She uses realism to generate curiosity and invite connection, while exploring themes around conservation and the connections between humanity and wildlife.
