About the Artists
Explore leading British bird artists. Visit the Gallery to view works for sale, including an extensive selection by John Cyril Harrison. We purchase works and welcome enquiries from owners and collectors.
Enquiries:
T: 020 8429 1827
Alan Hunt
(b.1947)
Alan Hunt has been painting for over 50 years and in that time he has created hundreds of paintings, taken thousands of photographs, been on dozens upon dozens of field trips all around the world.
His travels have included most of Europe, Scandinavia and much of the Mediterranean, most of Africa North & South, Madagascar all of North America including Alaska and Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Argentina, the Middle East, East Asia including India and Nepal and finally both the Antarctic and Arctic.
These extensive travels have provided Alan with the most diverse knowledge and experience of many of the world’s wildlife species.
Archibald Thorburn
(1860-1935)
Archibald Thorburn is one of Britain’s best known watercolour artists, particularly for his pictures of birds and mammals placed in harmonious landscapes. Thorburn’s style of painting represented a step change in wildlife art around the turn of the century and the lifelike renderings of his subjects brought him early fame and fortune. Thorburn painted at a time when the obvious advantages that modern artists have were not available, but he still managed to produce some truly beautiful and accurate depictions of his subjects. No artist past or present has been able to improve on Archibald Thorburn’s technique for painting a bird’s plumage.
Thorburn started his career painting both birds and mammals, but soon he made the decision to focus his efforts almost exclusively on depictions of birds in their natural habitat. Not only did he produce a prolific number of original watercolours, he also contributed to scores of natural history books for authors, ornithologists and explorers of the day, finding time to write and illustrate six of his own.
During Archibald Thorburn’s career he produced a large number of prints, the majority in partnership with publisher Baird Carter/Embleton and over 200 of them are catalogued in Waters, D. (2008) “Archibald Thorburn: Artist and Illustrator – The Prints and Proofs 1889 – 1934” soon to be published by Langford Press.
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Basil Ede
(b.1944)
The artistic journey of Basil Ede began early; after completing school, he studied at the Kingston School of Art in Surrey, though mandatory military service temporarily halted his professional progress. Following his discharge from the army in 1951, he took a position as a purser in the Merchant Navy, which allowed him to travel extensively in the Far East. The regional art he experienced during these travels profoundly influenced his evolving style. Later, when he became an executive at the Cunard line, he began selling his bird illustrations to the company, which were subsequently used for their first-class menu cards.
By the late 1950s, Ede was frequently exhibiting his work in London, including two successful shows hosted by The Tryon Gallery. His reputation expanded internationally in 1964 when his art was featured in the first-ever solo exhibition given to a living artist by the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. (at the time known as the National Collection of Fine Arts).
A major life change occurred in 1989 when Ede suffered a stroke, which resulted in the paralysis of his right arm. Determined to continue his work, he successfully retrained himself to paint using his left hand. During this difficult transition, his preferred medium changed from watercolour to oils. He favoured oils because they offered a greater time window for adding meticulous detail and allowed for bolder colours and a more expressive technique.
Ede was deeply involved in conservation efforts, serving as a founder member of the Society of Wildlife Artists. He also acted as an honorary trustee for Ducks Unlimited, a U.S. organization dedicated to wildfowl and wetland conservation, and was a lifetime supporter and member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. His significant career contributions were formally recognized in 1992 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South-eastern Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Berrisford Hill
(b. 1930)
Although brought up in Warwickshire, Berrisford Hill spent his school holidays on his uncle’s farm in Leicestershire, learning about nature and the countryside. Whenever opportunity arose Berrisford would spend time drawing and painting.
In those early years he wanted to train as an architect, but his love of the countryside led him to take up painting. With five years training at Winchester and Southampton University, Berrisford Hill obtained a degree which set him on the road to a career in art. For some 20 years Berrisford taught art and painting and he exhibited his work only when he had the time. Finally he decided to take the plunge and become a full-time artist.
Berrisford Hill’s first exhibition as a professional painter was at the CLA Game Fair at Stowe. It was here that he showcased his particular interest in game birds. It was almost a total sell out and the success he enjoyed at this exhibition, gave him the determination to continue as a sporting and wildlife painter. Berrisford’s work continues to grow in popularity.
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Cecil Hodgkinson
(1896-1979)
Hodgkinson was born in Billingborough, Lincolnshire. He took to painting alongside his other interests which included working as an auctioneer, farmer and land agent. He went on to exhibit his work locally and then more widely always reflecting his bucolic background.
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Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe
(1901-1979)
Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe was born and bred on the land and spent the first nineteen years of his life in the beautiful countryside of East Cheshire. Tunnicliffe studied at the Macclesfield School of Art where he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in London, gaining his teaching diploma and a further scholarship to study at the RCA’s new Etching and Engraving School.
In 1923 his excellent work rewarded him with a diploma gained with distinction. Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe stayed on in London to develop a career as an etcher and engraver, producing some of his finest work during this time. In 1928 he returned to Macclesfield, earning his living mainly from commercial artwork, much of it associated with the farming industry. Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe had a long association with Henry Williamson, illustrating such famous novels as Tarka the Otter, Salar the Salmon and the Peregrine’s Saga, along with a further five other titles. In the early 1940s he took up a post at Manchester Grammar School, as a teacher of Art – he visited Anglesey during his holiday breaks.
Tunnicliffe was a regular contributor to the Royal Academy and was elected as an associate in 1944, becoming a Royal Academician in 1954. He took great pride in exhibiting his work at the Royal Academy, and in 1974 his work was shown in a much acclaimed personal “Members Exhibition” at the RA. Tunnicliffe and his wife Winifred moved from Cheshire to Anglesey in 1947, to live at Shorelands in Malltraeth, where he lived until his death in 1979.
He was a very skilled artist in a wide range of media and his work was used to illustrate many magazine articles, books and advertisements. He created a superb personal collection of measured drawings of birds and was a major contributor to RSPB Bird Notes. He also took on many private commissions.
Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe was a very special man who worked extremely hard and loved his work. His output was prodigious, but he will also be remembered for his exceptional kindness, modesty and generosity. The RSPB awarded him its Gold Medal in 1975 and he was also honoured with an OBE in 1978.
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Colin Burns
(b.1944)
Colin Burns has always had a compulsion to paint and sketch and even as a child his talent was instantly recognised. In his later childhood living on the edge of the Norfolk marshes he found inspiration in the landscape and wildlife that surrounded him. As he grew older he came to know and admire the work of another Norfolk based artist John Cyril Harrison who further fuelled his passion for both birds and art.
Colin Burns early adult life was spent as an accountant but he continued to paint and sketch the East Anglian landscape. He finally decided to paint full time and conducted a highly successful one-man exhibition in the West End of London.
Since then Colin has never looked back. His skill enables him to create the most wonderful light and atmosphere in his paintings and consequently his work has enjoyed enormous success in some of London’s top auction houses and galleries. From the early evening glow of a snow-laden landscape in Scotland to a Norfolk dike in summer with Moorhen and Coot scuttling around Colin Burn’s paintings can transport you. His work is keenly collected throughout the UK and North America.
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D.M. Henry
(1919-1977)
David Morrison Reid Henry came from a family of painters and learned much from his artist
father George Henry. He was born in Ceylon now Sri Lanka and spent the first 10 years of his life there. Later on he moved to England where he attended Colchester Royal Grammar and then Mount Radford School in Exeter.
He was conscripted in 1940 and found himself training as an officer cadet in the Royal Tank Corps at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is where he met his famous tutor G E Lodge who lived close by at Hawk House, Camberley. David learnt much from Lodge and consequently his interest in all things hawks and falcons flourished. He developed a superb technique and his work was renowned for its accuracy and detail. His paintings are eagerly sought after by those who love bird art and in particular his pictures that depict his great love of raptors.
David Shepherd
(1931-2017)
David Shepherd was one of Britain’s most acclaimed wildlife artists, renowned for his powerful and evocative paintings of animals and birds. His original works are treasured by collectors of British bird art for their striking realism and emotional depth. Shepherd’s career was defined not only by his artistic talent but also by his passionate commitment to conservation. He used his art to raise awareness and funds for endangered species, becoming a leading voice in wildlife preservation.
While Shepherd is widely recognized for his dramatic depictions of elephants, tigers, and African wildlife, his bird paintings hold a special place in British art history. His ability to capture the character and vitality of birds in their natural environment makes his work highly sought-after among collectors. Owning a David Shepherd original is more than acquiring a painting – it is investing in a legacy that combines fine art with a mission to protect the natural world. His bird artwork continues to inspire admiration, offering timeless beauty and a connection to the enduring tradition of British wildlife art.
Donald Watson
(1918-2005)
Donald Watson was born at Cranleigh in Surrey on 28 June 1918 of a Scots father and an English mother. He first began to draw birds before he was five years old and copied illustrations by Archibald Thorburn, the great wildlife artist of late Victorian and Edwardian times.
Indeed in 1930, Thorburn, a near neighbour and by then in his late 60s, invited young Donald to tea and encouraged his early interest, leaving an impression on him that was to remain throughout his life. However, painting was already in his blood. His father’s sister (Margaret Stephens) won a scholarship from Aberdeen to attend the Slade School of Art in London and on his mother’s side his uncle was H.John Pearson, an architect who had paintings exhibited in the Royal Academy. His older brother Eric too became a most accomplished artist.
Edwin Penny
(b.1930)
Edwin Penny was born in Bristol and studied at the Bath College of Art and The Royal West of England Academy. He subsequently worked as an engraver before departing for Hong Kong to study the philosophy of Far Eastern composition under a Chinese Master.
His work is renowned for fine detail and his paintings have proved to be very popular both in top auction houses and at the Frost and Reed Gallery where he has exhibited exclusively for many years. Edwin Penny has enjoyed a strong following both nationally and internationally and his work is to be found in many important collections.
Eric Ennion
(1900-1981)
Eric Ennion was born on 7th June 1900 at Kettering in Northamptonshire, the son of a country doctor. In 1904 the family moved to Burwell, nine miles north-east of Cambridge, on the edge of the fens. Eric Ennion followed his father by studying medicine at Caius College and St Mary’s Hospital and then he joined his father’s practice in 1926.
From his early childhood he was fascinated by birds and by drawing them. As an artist Eric Ennion was entirely self taught and his passion combined with his undoubted talents led to his first one man show at the Greatorex Gallery in London in 1937. His great skill was in his ability to depict the character of his subjects with just a few well placed brush strokes. His simple but effective style was admired by artists and collectors alike and he went on to author and illustrate eleven books. Eric Ennion’s work has attracted many collectors both in England and abroad.
Frank Southgate
(1872-1916)
Frank Southgate (1872–1916) was a British artist best known for his detailed and evocative wildlife and sporting paintings, particularly those featuring birds and hunting scenes. He specialised in watercolours and illustrations of birds, capturing them with a high level of anatomical accuracy and naturalism, often set within rich, atmospheric landscapes.
Southgate’s art bridges the worlds of fine art and natural history, making him a respected figure among both wildlife artists and collectors of traditional British sporting art.
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George Edward Lodge
(1860-1954)
George Edward Lodge was born at Horncastle in Lincolnshire, the son of Samuel Lodge. From an early age the young Lodge showed an interest in natural history, drawing and painting. He also learned the art of taxidermy, which gave him a profound understanding of avian anatomy. Although George Edward Lodge became greatly admired for all his depictions of birds he had a particular fondness and interest in raptors and was often seen bearing either a hawk or a falcon on his arm. He was a great sportsman and particularly enjoyed annual visits to Scotland and Norway where he gathered material for his paintings.
George Edward Lodge was a renowned gentleman and generous in his praise for other artists particularly his friend Archibald Thorburn whom he once described as having an unsurpassed technique for painting a birds plumage. His art appealed to the growing number of collectors who had turned away from Victorian sentimentality and embraced the more authentic depictions of life in the wilds. His work has been greatly admired and collected through auction houses and galleries alike and his name enjoys an international reputation.
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Harold Frank Wallace
(1881-1962)
Wallace was an expert stalker and specialised in the painting of red deer. During WW2 he was the Deer Controller for Scotland. He held annual exhibitions of stalking pictures in London and Edinburgh often with Balfour-Browne. His knowledge of the Highlands and his accuracy of animal paintings maintains his popularity, especially amongst sportsmen.
Hugh Monahan
(1914-1970)
we have a very high regard for the artwork of Hugh Monahan and consider that his pictures represent extremely good value.
Hugh Monahan was born in Dublin the son of a high court judge in the Indian civil services. After spending his early years in India, Hugh Monahan was sent to school in England where he studied history at Pembroke College in Cambridge. He then went on to The Royal Hibernian Academy where he studied art.
He had a preference for painting in oils and secured his reputation with his trademark pictures of wildfowl set in atmospheric landscapes. He was a talented artist able to keep the oils he used flowing over the canvas. This enabled him to create a sense of movement in his subjects. Because his work was a combination of realism, with a hint of impressionism his pictures are best viewed standing back, where contrast in light and atmosphere can be fully appreciated. In our opinion we believe that many of his paintings would comfortably hold their own, against some of the more celebrated works by Sir Peter Scott, but at a fraction of the cost.
Hugh Monahan became President of the Wildfowlers Association between 1953-1956, and he co-authored Wildfowlers Year 1953. He exhibited at Victor Waddington Galleries in Dublin during the 1950s and at the British bird art fair at the Belfast museum. Later in his career he went on to exhibit through Rowland Ward, The Tyron Gallery in London and other leading galleries.
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John Cyril Harrison
(1898-1985)
Here at JJ Country Life Art, we endeavour to maintain a good selection of works by John Cyril Harrison (A.K.A J.C.Harrison). We are constantly looking to purchase his paintings.
(The original biography was written by JJ Country Life Art and all content is copyrighted. However several other online galleries have chosen to copy it).
As a young boy John Cyril Harrison showed an outstanding gift for drawing and his later sketch books reveal a rare talent for accurate observation and draughtsmanship. In fact Ron Digby, a highly respected contemporary bird artist, said that he considered John Cyril Harrison to be the finest draughtsman of all the British bird painters, both past and present.
J.C.Harrison studied at the Slade School of Art and improved his knowledge of anatomy through the practice of taxidermy. After that he moved to Norfolk where he became a keen supporter of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Although most of his pictures depict the Norfolk countryside with its birds, he was a frequent visitor to Scotland where he spent time studying, sketching and painting Golden Eagles, Ptarmigan and Capercaille. He also lived for a short while in Africa and enjoyed a limited time painting the wildlife there.
J.C.Harrison was one of the most popular artists at the major sporting galleries and in particular, The Tryon Gallery, where his exhibitions were eagerly awaited. Many of his paintings were so sought after, that collectors had to place their names in a hat, in order to compete for the pictures they wanted.
John Cyril Harrison also had a peerless reputation for painting birds in flight. It was Aylmer Tryon himself who remarked that John Cyril Harrison’s birds in flight, surpassed even those of Archibald Thorburn. His drawings were remarkably accurate and he was blessed with a wonderfully fluent style which gave him the ability to combine realism with a hint of impressionism. That rare combination gave life and movement to his subjects and is the reason why many bird art enthusiasts rate his finest work as second to none. He is also well known for his wonderful skyscapes, full of moody atmosphere and in my opinion unequalled amongst British bird artists.
Harrison was prolific, but not all of his paintings were first rate examples. I think his pictures can be placed into four categories – poor, average, good and premier. Although art is subjective, I believe there are many collectors who don’t always discriminate between these four categories. When his poor or average pictures come onto the market, especially those which are not in good condition, it can cause his prices to drop and this reduces his average. By contrast if we consider his premier pictures, then we don’t need to look any further than the Andrewartha sale at Bonhams 2012. This sale produced several world records for his works, many with five figure sums and included a top price of around £33,650. Harrison’s pictures also enjoyed great success at the Christie’s Astor sale 2017. J.C.Harrison has illustrated several books and continues to have a very strong following.
ARTWORK FOR SALE:
View the John Cyril Harrison section in our Gallery.
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Peter Scott
(1909-1089)
Sir Peter Scott (1909–1989) was a celebrated British wildlife artist, ornithologist, and conservationist whose bird paintings remain highly valued by collectors of original British bird art. Known for his exquisite depictions of swans, geese, and wildfowl, Scott combined artistic talent with a naturalist’s precision, creating works that capture both the beauty and character of British birds. His paintings are admired for their authenticity, atmosphere, and timeless appeal, making them sought-after pieces in the world of wildlife art.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Peter Scott was a pioneering conservationist. He founded the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, a sanctuary dedicated to preserving endangered species, and co-founded the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the most influential conservation organizations globally. His dual legacy as both an artist and environmental advocate ensures his work resonates deeply with collectors who value not only fine art but also the heritage of British ornithology and conservation.
Owning a Peter Scott original is more than acquiring a painting – it is investing in a piece of history that reflects Britain’s rich tradition of bird art and the enduring importance of protecting nature. His artwork continues to inspire, offering collectors a rare blend of artistry, authenticity, and conservation legacy.
Philip Rickman
(1891-1982)
Philip Rickman’s interest in birds led to him studying in both Paris and London. It was through his passion for bird art that he came to know another great bird artist George Edward Lodge. Lodge took Rickman under his wing and he generously gave the young Rickman advice, encouragement and a very important introduction to Archibald Thorburn. Although Philip Rickman learnt much from George Edward Lodge, his technique was far more influenced by Archibald Thorburn. The influence of Thorburn was never more evident then when Rickman painted his trademark waterfowl and gamebirds. Thorburn taught Rickman the application of colour and shared his skill in producing the iridescence found on the plumage of birds such as Pheasants and Kingfishers.
In 1920 Philip Rickman held his first exhibition at the Greatorex Gallery in Bond Street, London. After this his talents were recognised by ‘The Field’ followed by many other sporting publications. Rickman later exhibited through Embletons and The Tryon Gallery. He illustrated and published several books and many of his pictures have passed through London’s top auction houses. Some of his works can also be found in museums and many important private collections.
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Richard Robjent
(b.1937)
Richard Robjent lives on the North Norfolk coast and is a keen fisherman, stalker, naturalist and artist. His work was most influenced by Philip Rickman who became his friend and tutor. Perhaps his most popular pictures are his paintings of game birds and waterfowl which are renowned for being both colourful and vibrant. Richard Robjent’s work attracts strong support in auctions and galleries alike and his work is also found in many serious collections.
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Robert W. Milliken
(1920-2014)
Robert Milliken is an Irish visual artist. His paintings are free flowing and not too detailed in order to give the impression of movement. Almost all artists of his generation got inspiration from the previous generation of bird artists and Robert Milliken clearly studied the work of John Cyril Harrison whom he greatly admired. Numerous works by the artist have been sold through Sporting Galleries and at auction, including ‘Red Grouse in the Cairngorms’ sold at Bonhams Edinburgh ‘The Sporting Sale’ in 2014.
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Rodger McPhail
(b.1953)
Rodger McPhail was born in West Houghton, Lancashire. He spent time at both Coventry and Liverpool Art Colleges and at aged 19 he achieved the accolade of having the first of what would be many paintings published on the front cover of the “Shooting Times”. Mcphail is a prodigious talent and is recognised by many of his peers and many collectors as currently the finest bird artist in Britain. His versatility enables him to paint in either oils or watercolours and a further testament to his unrivalled ability, is the skill he demonstrates when painting and drawing cartoons and caricatures. Rodger Mcphail has spent years in the field tracking and studying the habits and character of his subjects, this experience and knowledge is clearly reflected in his work. Rodger has illustrated several books and his reputation over the years has grown. His paintings can be found in some of the most important wildlife and bird picture collections around the world.
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Roland Green
(1896-1971)
Roland Green was born in Rainham Kent and was the son of a taxidermist. He was educated in Rochester and the Regent Street Polytechnic where it became evident that he had gift for painting birds and mammals. He developed a deep love and interest in all birds and particularly those which inhabited Norfolk where he lived. He decided to annually exhibit his paintings and soon enjoyed a considerable following.
It was Lord Desborough who commissioned Roland Green to paint a frieze at Whiteslea Lodge depicting the birds at Hickling Broad.
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William Watson Jr.
(1847-1921)
William Watson Jnr was a late 19thcentury Liverpool painter of animals and landscapes. He was a pupil of Landseer and Bonheur, and the son of William Watson Snr. He painted mainly Scottish landscapes with sheep and highland cattle situated on rugged mountains. Like so many talented Victorian painters he was extremely well schooled, technically correct and as a result, was in considerable demand.
Rich Victorian patrons commissioned artists like Watson, to paint these scenes in order to adorn their newly built villas and country estates over the border.
William Watson Jnr. exhibited in London 1866-1872, at the Royal Academy and Suffolk Street. His works can be found in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, the Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield, Sunderland Art Gallery and the Thomas B. Art Collection, Minneapolis.
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