There is a quiet strength in Winston, calm and unhurried as he gazes out with gentle curiosity. His silvery fur feels almost touchable, each strand rendered in hyper-realistic pencil with such care that you can almost feel its soft texture.
Every detail from the round softness of his ears and leathery nose to the depth in his soulful eyes invites you to pause and simply breathe. Place Winston on your wall and the room will settle. His serene presence brings a healing calm, turning any space into a sanctuary of whispered peace.
This portrait is a study in grace and personality — a celebration of Australia's most iconic laugh without the noise. Coco doesn’t perform; she perches, poised and unbothered, bringing a grounded elegance to any space she graces. Drawn with hyper-realistic detail, she’s not just a bird — she’s a character, a moment, a mood.
With Coco, I knew I had the chance to capture something special, the feeling that exists between kookaburras and us locals. I mean, how amazing is it that there’s a bird you recognize first by its laugh and then by its beauty, poise, and cheekiness? I just had to try to capture that. Honestly, I wasn’t even intimidated; I was excited, like a kid up next at show-and-tell. I wanted, needed, to share this little lady with the world. So I drew her at an iconic scale and gave her an icon’s name.
Drawing Winston
Winston was special, just as I knew he would be. Drawing his eyes felt like being a kid in a candy shop: the rich browns, glassy reflections, and subtle hints of blue and green built up this soft, soulful gaze that completely holds you. His oversized, velvety ears were a joy to draw. Each stroke felt like running my fingers through his fluffy fur, impossibly soft and beautiful.
And then there were his big bear-like hands. They melt my heart every time. So fun to draw, so fascinating to study. Finally, that nose. I redrew the leathery texture several times, chasing the perfect balance between smooth and stretched, until it paired seamlessly with his sweet, furry mouth. Together, they hit exactly the expression I wanted to capture: warm, open, comforting.
I’m immensely proud of how this piece turned out, so much so that I’m not sure I’ll ever top it!
The Original Edition
Winston exists as a singular, one-of-a-kind, large-scale statement piece. Measuring at 84.1 x 118.9 cm, this A0 framed Original Edition is exclusively available through Red Hill Gallery.
Printed on luxurious 320gsm French-made cotton rag with a textured cold-press finish, Winston is designed to endure. Using 12-colour Canon Lucia EX pigment inks, this museum-quality work holds an archival life of over 100 years. The drawing is hand-signed and comes with a signed and dated Certificate of Authenticity.
Professionally framed in a refined oak woodgrain moulding, Winston is protected by premium UV70% Art Glass—anti-glare with excellent UV resistance. Ready to hang, this Original Edition is a timeless statement piece crafted to be treasured for generations.
Take a close look
Seeing Winston in person is truly special. So let’s take a moment to look right up close at all the small details that make this piece come alive.
Thank you for loving Winston too!
I love that Winston’s caught your eye. There’s something magnetic about him—solid, grounded, and just a little bit cheeky. He’s got that timeless Aussie charm that makes you stop for a second look. If you’re tempted, don’t wait too long; Winston has a habit of making himself at home wherever he goes.
