Royal artist Tom Wood is one painting short of an exhibition.

The Kirklees artist will be holding a retrospective show at Huddersfield Art Gallery from May to September to celebrate his 60th birthday.

But he’s missing a waterfowl painting and appealing for its return.

Tom, whose studio is at Redbrick Mill, Batley, has painted commissions for Prince Charles, Alan Bennett, Robert Winston and Barbara Windsor, some of which hang at the National Portrait Gallery.

The Huddersfield exhibition will feature some of Tom’s most famous paintings on loan from prestigious galleries and private collections.

Tom said: “In the exhibition I’m hoping to include either paintings or studies of some of the well-known people I’ve been fortunate enough to be commissioned to paint, including Prince Charles, Alan Bennett, Lord Winston and Barbara Windsor.”

But one of his works, ‘The Startled Mandarin’, has flown the nest.

Artist Tom Wood

Now the artist, also renowned for his bird paintings, is appealing for the return of the large piece which depicts a Mandarin Duck flapping its wings beside other waterfowl.

The 6ft square acrylic and oil work, painted in 2009, was sold the following year by the now defunct Tregoning Contemporary Gallery, in Derby.

Tom said: “So far the loans are going well with nearly everyone happy to loan their work but there are a number of missing works which I am struggling to locate and this large painting of birds is one I would particularly like to find.

“Any help in finding work by me would be much appreciated as this might be the only chance I get to assemble and exhibit what is in effect my life’s work.”

If you can help call Tom: 07434039430 or visit: www.tomwoodfineart.com .