Bullfinches And Pyrus Japonica 1928

Archibald Thorburn painted these Bullfinches and Pyrus Japonica in 1928 using watercolor. Just look at the way those birds sit perched on the branches! Thorburn really captures their weight, the roundness of their bellies, and the softness of their feathers. It makes me think about all the times I've sat in my studio, trying to capture just the right curve of a figure, the way light hits a surface, and the little pops of color. You can see how Thorburn built up the layers of paint to create depth and texture. The way he flicked his brush to suggest leaves and the blurry, impressionistic background. You can see how he really paid attention to the details, and how he used his skill to bring these birds to life on paper. It reminds me that painting is really about seeing, observing, and then trying to translate that onto a surface.