Richard Lewington interview

[Pete Eeles]

Hi all,

I'm meeting up with Richard on Wednesday (and I know this is late notice) - if you have any particular questions you'd like me to pose Richard then please let me know!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Dave McCormick]

I would like to ask him a question. I read somewhere before and it was mentioned he was working on a book of micro moths, but I didn't find any more information, but he was doing some micro moth paintings for it. I think it was back in November I read that. Would it be possible for him to say what he is working on? Or at least some more hint on what this is?

[Vince Massimo]

Pete,

A lot of people will of course be fascinated to know how Richard goes about creating his stunning images, but can you ask him how he managed to deal with the huge number of images needed for the Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland (and indeed, his collaboration with Tolman) and how this differed from other relatively smaller projects. Also does he have the time or inclination to handle one-off commissions.

Looking forward to the report with interest.

Cheers,

Vince

[Pete Eeles]

All great questions - keep 'em coming

Cheers,

- Pete

[Gruditch]

Would he of liked to have lived in an earlier era, when all natural history books used illustrations like his own.

With photography so easily accessible to the masses, and with all the wonderful things that can be made via computer, are natural history artist like himself becoming a rare breed.

Is there any rivalry with his brother, and who's better artist. Oh, and wheres my flippin book.

Regards Gruditch

[Jack Harrison]

Does Richard use modern tools such as PhotoShop to produce “perfect specimens” as models for his paintings? Or does he use old-fashioned pinned specimens?

Jack

[Trev Sawyer]

Obviously the time taken depends on the size and complexity of each specimen, but what is an average figure for the length of time taken to complete an individual picture (with perhaps an example of one or two of them)? Oh yes, and what kind of paint does he use to get such realistic colours?

Trev

[Lee Hurrell]

Does Richard have a favourite site for butterflying? Or perhaps his earliest butterfly memory?

I'm reading through Tolman/Lewington at the moment, and given the sheer number of images and variation in the same species on occasion, does he ever finish a picture and think 'no that won't do' and have to start again?

Or a favourite painting of his?

Cheers

Lee

[Vince Massimo]

Flippin 'eck, I forgot about Tolman

I have now amended my earlier question to include this epic.

Cheers,

Vince

[Neil Hulme]

Does Richard sketch butterflies in the wild, in order to capture their 'jizz' for his behavioural illustrations, or does he rely solely on digital images?
For detailed measurements and 'scaling' of anatomical features, does he use calipers on museum specimens, or work these out from digital images on a computer?
Neil

[Vince Massimo]

Ok..... one last question.

Is there a particular image, or piece of work or project that he is especially proud of and wishes to be remembered for?

Probably impossible to answer and like asking 'what is your favourite butterfly', but interesting to hear what he says.

Vince.

[Trev Sawyer]

Pete,
Probably too late to ask this (you are probably already there), but has the years of intricate painting affected his eyes at all? ie does he go to Specsavers

... presumably he uses a magnifying glass/screen of some sort whilst painting?

Trev

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks for all the input. The interview report can now be found at:

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/reports_lewington.php

and will be posted on the main page shortly and announced in the next newsletter. An extraordinary chap for sure!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Jack Harrison]

Excellent reading. Will there be a video of the interview?

Jack

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Jack,

I agree that's the future. It would save me transcribing the audio recording for sure! But Michael Parkinson I ain't

Perhaps in the not-too-distant future that would be a real possibility - thanks for the suggestion!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Trev Sawyer]

Great stuff Pete and thanks for asking all the questions.

Micro moths?... There's soooooo many!
...and as for beetles, well there's loads of them too, so he will certainly never run out of subjects.

PS: Having now seen one of Richard's originals "in the flesh", I can only say that they are even more impressive than I had imagined. Truly stunning.

Trev

[Lee Hurrell]

Fascinating stuff, especially the White Admiral work in progress.

Pete - more thanks for asking the questions.

I found myself going to get my copy of Thomas/Lewington off the shelf while reading to look at the cover as described by Richard!

Cheers

Lee

[Dave McCormick]

Fascinating stuff, especially the White Admiral work in progress.

Totally agree, hope to one day get as good as that in my lep drawings!

Thanks Pete for asking questions, can't wait for that micro moth book, seeing those paintings of the moths makes me want it more, and if its like the Moths of Great Britian and Ireland, should be the best micro reference book and be very useful as there are very few good books on micro moths besides "The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britian and Ireland" and those are out of date and not fully complete either.

[Vince Massimo]

Pete -

Belated thanks from me for the interview report, which I found absolutly fascinating. I still cannot get over how prolific (and dedicated) this man is, or the mind-boggling amount of work that goes into producing even a small series of drawings. I am looking forward more than ever to receiving the new book.

Cheers,

Vince

[Dave McCormick]

Just a bump to update, aparently Richard has been asked to go 1600 images and he is working his way slowly through each one. He has hinted the micro moth book might be ready next year. I am not holding my breath, but would be good to have it by then, but if it takes a little longer to have a great book on micros, its all worth the wait.