The Society of Wildlife Artists

Peter Partington was a much-loved member of the SWLA, contributing to countless projects, exhibitions and books with his lively artwork. Moreover, Peter brought humour and good nature to every private view or artists meeting that he ever attended – he was always great company and will be sorely missed. 

Born in 1941 in Cambridge, his family moved to Poole in Dorset when he was eleven, and Peter recalls his interest in nature and landscape formed from his explorations of Poole Harbour, Swanage, Portland Bill and the Purbeck Hills. His abundant talent led him to study painting, drawing and printmaking at Bournemouth College of Art, going on to gain his art teacher’s certificate from Hornsey College of Art. For twenty years he taught painting and drawing full-time.

From the start Peter was attracted to the work of Chinese and Japanese artists that favoured spirit and atmosphere over a feather-by-feather approach to painting birds. He admired the paintings of Frank Southgate, Peter Scott, Charles Tunnicliffe and Eric Ennion, but perhaps the artist that shaped his work most was Richard Talbot Kelly.

For many, Peter went further, using bold brush-strokes to depict both the bird and the environment, capturing the experience of watching the animal in its habitat.

Peter was elected to the SWLA in 1985 and served terms on the society’s council. A printmaker, painter and occasional sculptor he was perhaps best known as a prolific watercolourist. One of his first freelance contracts was for an illustrated version of H.E. Bates’s Down the River (Gollancz). His beautiful watercolours shone from the page and garnered much acclaim establishing Peter’s reputation as a leading portrayer of natural history. It was quickly followed by the popular Learn to Paint Birds in Watercolour (Collins). More art guides included Learn to Draw Wildlife, Learn to Draw Birds, Learn to Draw Animals, Learn to Draw Farm Animals, and (jointly illustrated) Drawing For Beginners, Flights of Imagination and Birds by Character. He was a regular contributor to The Artist magazine, and more recently Peter illustrated Dominic Couzen’s Secret Lives series for Helm/​RSPB publishing.

With his ability to conjure images from direct observation in the field Peter was invited to join the fledgling Artist For Nature Foundation by its director Ysbrand Brouwers for the ANF project in the Biebzra Marshes (Poland). Peter contributed further, in Extremadura (Spain), Wexford Coast (Ireland), The Great Fen (UK), and Hedrehely (Hungary) as recent as five years ago (at the age of seventy-eight). Ysbrand adds: ​‘Peter also took part in an ANF artists visit to our lodge in Bandhavgarh National Park in India where he created a wonderful mural – he became a dear friend over the years’. 

Peter was a regular exhibitor at the Birdfair, sometimes on his own stand, other times helping out on the SWLA stand. When the Birdfair rebranded as the Global Birdfair Peter provided images for the marquees new names — Peter will be a loss to both the wildlife art and birdwatching community. Tim Appleton MBE adds: ​‘He will be missed so much – such a wonderful and inspirational character – always that special twinkle in his eye with his non-stop enthusiasm. His art was in every inch, his personality. His personality was in every inch, his art.’

Peter had a long association with the Pembrokeshire seabird island of Skokholm running the first bird painting course in 1990. The magic of place, coupled with Peter’s tutelage and sense of fun led to many repeat participants and the event became an annual fixture, everyone happy to be part of the ​‘Peter Partington Puffin Posse’. A regular with his group, artist Martin Hayward Harris, adds there were plans for Peter to visit again this year. Martin also throws light on another hidden talent: ​‘Birdwatching while driving was another thing Peter made an art of. On our return from Skokholm on a single-track road we met a local bus head on. Without braking Peter drove up the bank and down the other side as cool as 007. Me, I was somewhat shaken and a little stirred.’

With his passing there has been a flood of messages and comments, from friends and family, and from those who painted and laughed alongside with him:

Peter was an immensely talented watercolourist, always cheerful and good company. He would always turn right, when everyone else turned left — nothing wrong with that! I will always remember the first time I met him; we were in the back room at The Wildlife Art Gallery, he introduced himself and promptly stepped back and put his foot through a painting! Andrew Haslen

Peter was a wonderful friend and mentor. His lust for life was inspiring — he was interested in everything! He gave us so much guidance with our own work — as he did so generously to so many artists. He enjoyed calling in on friends — especially at coffee or lunchtime! Where over a piece of cake he would put the world to rights, but was also a great listener — always keen to help solve problems whilst filling scraps of paper with his amazing bird doodles. His talent, energy, knowledge and friendship will be sorely missed. Amie & Meggan Haslen 

Peter always had a good sense of humour, was always good company and above all was fun. I remember being with Peter and other artists after the Poland ANF, waiting for our luggage to arrive on the conveyor. Peter got bored and climbed on the belt and took a ride. Bob Greenhalf

Perhaps writer Mark Cocker summed up Peter best when he posted:

‘Peter was immensely talented, gentle and generous. Perhaps not really equipped (commercially) to capitalise on all that talent, except to express it in hundreds if not thousands of paintings and drawings. He lived simply, was deeply modest and wonderful company. I later got to teach with him in schools, when his near-instantaneous sketches of living creatures and plants were a revelation to the children. His notebooks were jam-packed with captured moments. All his images of birds especially, are thrilling because of their truth-to-the-world. He could capture it precisely. The work was full of colour. He leaves behind a vast body of work steeped in love for the living world.’