Bumblebee

Description

The Bumblebee

There are around 24 species of bumblebee in the UK, and most are in decline. Habitat loss, changes in farming practices, and the reduction of wildflower-rich land have all contributed to falling numbers over recent decades. Bumblebees pollinate a significant proportion of the fruit, vegetables, and wildflowers we depend on. Urban gardens with flowering plants make a real difference to local populations.

The Rescue

My wife found this bumblebee exhausted in the middle of a path in the woods near our Sheffield home in summer 2025. She helped it onto a leaf to move it out of the way, but decided instead to bring it home. She gave it some sugar water and set it down on one of our lavender plants. Within a short time it had recovered and was flying around, exploring the flowers. I photographed it before it left.

The Painting Process

Working in my Sheffield home studio, I completed this piece in a single painting session using oils on a 6 × 6 inch Ampersand Gessobord panel. The soft, fuzzy texture of bumblebee hair is an enjoyable challenge at this scale — building the warm amber and dark banding without losing the rounded, slightly fluffed quality of the subject.

Framed or Unframed

Choose the framed option and it arrives ready to hang. The frame is natural ayous, a pale, lightweight hardwood, with a 7mm face and 21mm depth. The panel sits inside it with a 5mm gap all round, so the painted edge of the panel stays visible and the picture appears to float inside the frame rather than sitting against it. A flush mount is already fitted to the back for hanging.

If you would rather choose your own frame, you can buy it unframed. For advice please refer to How to Frame a Painting on a Panel.

Original Artwork Details

Specifications:

• Medium: Oil on gessobord panel
• Size: 6 × 6 inches (~ 15 × 15 cm)
• Depth: 0.3 cm (~ 1/8 inch)
• Available framed or unframed
• Framed size: approximately 17.6 × 17.6 cm (~ 7 × 7 inches)
• Frame: natural ayous, 7mm face, 21mm depth, 5mm float gap, flush mount fitted
• 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.