Robin

Oil on Birchwood Panel | 11″ x 11″

“I have spent many happy hours in the company of Robins, they see me appear in my dungarees with a trowel in hand, and never stray more than a few metres away. Fiercely territorial, yet I’ve seen 4 sit patiently on the fence, watching my movements, waiting for any sign of movement in the soil.

So synonymous with snow and Christmas cards, it’s refreshing to see this little bird basking in warm sunlight, contrasting against the brilliant summery greens behind him. Perched delicately on a rough branch, its bright eye searching out his surroundings.

I painted the tiny delicate feathers in layers, using a magnifying glass to help me create the smallest of marks with precision. Capturing the light as it falls across the body, shining off the chest in brilliant oranges and the grey flint of the beak. Famous for its quick, darting movements, I almost expect to look back and see the composition empty, as the Robin flies off to catch his next meal.

Painted from reference taken by Nigel Robinson.

I paint using the “wet on wet” technique, which means I build up the layers of colour and texture in small sections at a time. Not waiting for the paint beneath to dry, but pulling my brush through the wet paint, creating clean and precise marks.”