Bullfinches And Pyrus Japonica 1928

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolour of bullfinches and pyrus japonica in 1928, and the painting feels like a fleeting moment, a snapshot of nature caught in time. Thorburn’s got this incredible way of layering washes, right? The colours blend so softly, it's like the whole scene is breathing. Look at how the light catches the feathers of the birds, he’s really studied how light refracts. I like how he's used the white of the paper to his advantage, especially in the bullfinch’s plumage. Those small touches and dabs of pure colour are really effective. The background is a bit of a dream, it's so soft and vague, but then there's these pops of detail in the flowers, which really bring the whole scene into focus. It makes me think of Audubon, but with a softer touch, or perhaps an earlier master of light like Turner. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s a moment, appreciate it."