Kestrel ~ "Shadows of the Sky" ~ Pastel

This kestrel pastel painting captures North America's smallest falcon — a bird no bigger than a robin that hunts with the ferocity of a hawk ten times its size. Kestrels hover in place against the wind, scanning the ground below with vision sharp enough to see a grasshopper from a hundred feet. They are proof that power has nothing to do with size.

I worked in pastel for this piece, building the kestrel's russet back, slate-blue wings, and boldly striped face through layered dry strokes on textured paper. Pastel lets me create the surface texture of feathers in a way watercolor handles differently — each stroke sits on the paper, catching light and creating dimension. The kestrel's markings are intricate — the facial stripes alone require precise placement — and pastel's directness suited that precision. No water to manage, no drying time. Just pigment and intention.

This painting is part of my Shadows of the Sky collection, which explores raptors through pastel's unique capabilities. The kestrel is the collection's smallest subject but one of its most detailed — a bird whose beauty rewards close viewing. American kestrels hover by rapidly beating their wings while keeping their head perfectly still — a technique called kiting that allows them to scan the ground with binocular precision. That combination of intense activity and absolute visual stability makes them one of the most fascinating raptors to observe, and it's part of what draws me to paint them in the detail that pastel allows.

One of a kind. The kestrel's compact intensity makes this painting ideal for desks, reading nooks, and intimate spaces. Framing options available. Free shipping, complimentary insurance, and certificate of authenticity included.

Materials:  Each watercolor original is unique, the only one of its kind. Created on 300lb Arches Watercolor Paper with Japanese Sumi-é watercolor paint designed to last a lifetime.

Framing: Each piece is elegantly presented with light grey matting in a handmade wooden frame with a grey-washed finish. UV plexiglass and archival materials ensure long-lasting preservation. Crafted with care, our frames are 1.5" deep and handcrafted from solid wood by our trusted local framer.

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