Partridge 1933

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolour of a partridge, and it feels like he captured the bird in a fleeting moment, just there in the grass. The paint is so fluid, almost like he’s sketching with colour, layering washes to build up form and texture. Look at the way he’s rendered the feathers, a mix of soft blending and sharper, more defined strokes. It’s like he’s trying to catch the light as it flickers across the bird’s plumage. There’s something so delicate and precise about it, but also so free and unburdened. The colours are muted, earthy tones that really bring to mind the natural world and the physical presence of the bird. It’s amazing how he uses the white of the paper to create highlights, giving the painting a real sense of depth. It reminds me a bit of some of the early botanical illustrators, but with a much looser, more painterly touch. You can almost feel the breeze in the grass and hear the rustle of the bird’s feathers. It’s a quiet, contemplative piece.