Pheasant's head

To buy

As part of Bucks Open Studios fortnight this year, I've committed to painting a new picture every day for my blog and this is the first.

Pheasants are very beautiful but very dim. They loiter on the road-side, waiting to hurl themselves under passing cars. Mind you, most have been reared by hand and are as tame as chickens - until someone tries to shoot them.

Pheasants always look startled and neurotic. This is a ring-necked bird but pheasants are variable in the UK, with new strains being reared for shooting all the time.