Richard Lewington interview
- Pete Eeles
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Richard Lewington interview
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
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
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
- Dave McCormick
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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?
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
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- Vince Massimo
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
Last edited by Vince Massimo on Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:31 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Pete Eeles
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
All great questions - keep 'em coming ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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- Gruditch
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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.
![Twisted Evil :twisted:](./images/smilies/icon_twisted.gif)
Regards Gruditch
- Jack Harrison
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
Jack
- Trev Sawyer
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
Trev
- Lee Hurrell
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
- Vince Massimo
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
Flippin 'eck, I forgot about Tolman ![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I have now amended my earlier question to include this epic.
Cheers,
Vince
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
I have now amended my earlier question to include this epic.
Cheers,
Vince
Last edited by Vince Massimo on Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Neil Hulme
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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.
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
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
... presumably he uses a magnifying glass/screen of some sort whilst painting?
Trev
- Pete Eeles
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
- Jack Harrison
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
Excellent reading. Will there be a video of the interview?
Jack
Jack
- Pete Eeles
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
Hi Jack,
I agree that's the future. It would save me transcribing the audio recording for sure! But Michael Parkinson I ain't![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Perhaps in the not-too-distant future that would be a real possibility - thanks for the suggestion!
Cheers,
- Pete
I agree that's the future. It would save me transcribing the audio recording for sure! But Michael Parkinson I ain't
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Perhaps in the not-too-distant future that would be a real possibility - thanks for the suggestion!
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
British & Irish Butterflies Rarities: http://www.butterflyrarities.com
- Trev Sawyer
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
Micro moths?...
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
...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
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
- Dave McCormick
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
Totally agree, hope to one day get as good as that in my lep drawings!Fascinating stuff, especially the White Admiral work in progress.
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.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
- Vince Massimo
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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
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
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Re: Richard Lewington interview
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.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro