Bullfinches 1908

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolor, Bullfinches, in 1908. It’s a delicate study in observing the small details of the natural world. The paint application is so delicate and precise. It makes me think about the importance of practice in art. It’s not just about inspiration, but also the daily grind of honing your skills. Looking closely, you can see how he builds up the layers of color to create subtle gradations of tone, so especially in the bird's feathers. The overall effect is one of softness and gentle movement, almost as if the birds might take flight at any moment. The whiteness of the flowers in the foreground are set off by the warm honey tones behind. I’m reminded of other great naturalists and watercolorists, like John James Audubon, who also captured the beauty and detail of the avian world with such care and precision. But Thorburn brings his own sensibility, a kind of quiet attentiveness that feels very contemporary. It’s like he’s saying, “Look closely, there’s beauty all around us, even in the smallest things.”