Rodger McPhail was born in Westhoughton, Lancashire . He spent time at both Coventry and Liverpool Art Colleges. At the age of 19 he achieved the accolade of having the first of what would be many paintings published on the front cover of "The Shooting Times."

He is now considered to be the Country's leading gamebird artist and is a regular exhibitor at The Tryon Gallery. He has published several books, including B Martin "Sporting Birds of the British Isles," Newton Abbot 1984.

His portrayal of all English birds, but particularly gamebirds, are eagerly sought after, both in exhibitions and auctions.

Many are now calling him the new Thorburn.