Dawn Chorus

This large oil painting captures the quiet vitality of a Devon woodland, rendered with expressive, confident brushwork. Tall, slender tree trunks rise vertically across the canvas, their pale bark contrasting with deep, earthy browns and shadows at their bases. Layers of rich greens dominate the scene, from fresh spring-like foliage to darker, mossy tones, creating a strong sense of depth and enclosure. Light filters through the canopy in broken patches, suggesting sunlight moving across leaves and forest floor, and giving the whole composition a gentle, rhythmic movement.

Belinda Reynell’s painterly approach evokes atmosphere and the viewer is left to place the location. Broad, gestural strokes and subtle scraping allow underlying colours to emerge, evoking the texture of bark, leaves, and undergrowth without literal definition. Hints of warm reds and pinks at ground level add warmth and balance to the predominantly green palette, anchoring the scene and preventing it from becoming overly uniform. The woodland feels alive and immersive, as though the viewer is standing within it, surrounded by birdsong and shifting light. Overall, the painting conveys a strong emotional connection to the Devon landscape—celebrating its tranquillity, natural abundance, and ever-changing light through an energetic yet sensitive use of oil paint.