Pair Of Redstarts 1923

Archibald Thorburn painted these Pair of Redstarts with watercolor, and I like that you can really see the marks. It makes you think about how he built up the image, layer by layer, starting with those soft washes of blue sky. I love the way he's rendered the birds' feathers; each stroke seems to capture the delicate texture, almost as if he’s trying to recreate the feeling of holding a bird in his hand. It is particularly evident in the upper bird; the way that the orange is slightly smudged into the grey of the head gives a real sense of volume. It's not just about depicting what they look like, but about bringing these little creatures to life. I am reminded of Audubon - both artists share a similar interest in Ornithology, but where Audubon's birds are often dramatic, Thorburn seems to capture something more intimate. Of course, it’s up to you, though, to decide whether he succeeded or not.