Balance

Description

A Happy Accident in Formby

Sometimes the best subjects find you when you’re looking for something else entirely. My wife and I stopped at Formby pinewoods on the way home from visiting family in July 2025, hoping to spot red squirrels amongst the famous pine trails. After a good while searching without luck, we were about to give up when this robin appeared on a nearby branch — standing perfectly still on one leg, utterly relaxed, and in no hurry to move. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a robin standing on one leg before, and the pose — combined with the elegant curve of the branch — immediately struck me as something worth painting.

About the Robin

Robins are one of Britain’s most familiar and best-loved birds, consistently voted the nation’s favourite. They are year-round residents across the country, equally at home in ancient woodland and suburban gardens. Bold, curious, and fiercely territorial, they are one of the few British birds that sing through the winter months. Despite their friendly reputation, robins are surprisingly tough little birds — defending their patch with real determination against rivals. This one, however, looked about as relaxed as a robin can get.

The Painting Process

Working in my Sheffield home studio, I created this piece in a single painting session using oils on an 8×8 inch Ampersand Gessobord panel. The larger format — a step up from my usual 6×6″ — was chosen to do justice to the sweeping shape of the branch, which plays an important role in the composition and gives the painting its sense of balance.

I deliberately left some of the ground showing through in the lower portion of the background, allowing the raw surface to contribute an abstract quality that contrasts with the detailed rendering of the bird. It’s a small thing, but it gives the piece a bit of breathing room and keeps the focus on the robin and the graceful line of its perch.

Original Artwork Details

This original oil painting is available for purchase, sold unframed to allow you to choose framing that complements your interior. For advice on framing please refer to How to Frame a Painting on a Panel. Prints are also available on request — please get in touch for details.

Specifications:

• Medium: Oil on gessobord panel
• Size: 8 × 8 inches (~ 20 × 20 cm)
• Depth: 0.3 cm (~ 1/8 inch)
• Unframed
• Year: 2025
• Signed on reverse

Shipping & Care

Your painting will be carefully packaged with protective materials and shipped via Royal Mail within 3–5 business days. The panel is robust and archival – oil paintings on panel have been proven to last for centuries when properly cared for. Display away from direct sunlight and extreme humidity for best longevity.