In the Shallows is an original oil painting inspired by an everyday moment — a duck settling into shallow water, sending ripples and splashes across the surface. We have a pond in our garden, and each year a small group of ducks visit us. Watching them arrive, pause, and move through the water was what drew me to paint this piece.
 
I wanted to capture that brief, unguarded moment where movement and stillness meet. The painting was built slowly from the inside out, beginning with a traditional underpainting to establish structure and balance, before layering colour and surface detail over the top. This approach allows the painting to feel grounded and intentional, while still retaining energy and life in the water and wings.
 
The background is kept soft and understated so the duck remains the clear focus. Subtle splashes and highlights are used sparingly, just enough to suggest movement without overpowering the calm of the scene. For me, the appeal of this piece lies in its quiet familiarity, finding beauty in something ordinary that might otherwise be overlooked.
 
In the Shallows is a one-of-a-kind original oil painting, created as a YouTube exclusive. It is painted on stretched canvas and comes framed in a solid oak frame, ready to hang.
 
This piece is ideal for a collector who appreciates wildlife subjects, natural movement, and paintings that invite you to slow down and look a little longer.