Rebecca Lehmann - an artist's blog

junk comments

2009-04-17T05:30:00.000-07:00

It was the moderating of a 'junk comment' that led me to think that maybe it was about time I updated my neglected blog. I thought I would share some of the things I have been doing on my computer at work during my lunchtimes....

All these images have used photos as their basis, then I have coloured or re-composited them using Illustrator. The Great Tit below is currently my desktop - as spring is here! The tree silhouettes were a bookcover I designed for my sister as a Christmas pressie: they were my winter desktop!

More experiments

2008-12-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

This time last year, I was harping on about how I wanted to experiment more in different media, like pastel, acrylic etc... I seem to be gravitating towards the computer (I think this is helped by my new employer having furnished me with a gorgeous mac, wacom tablet and the Adobe Suite - which I'm always desperate to upskill in).

Here's a little experiment I carried out yesterday, inspired whilst flicking through my 'Computer Arts' magazine... Again, it's a cat based piece of work: I really must shake off the shackles of my pet related artistry and start to explore other stuff! I have made a resolution to myself to sketch more, as I'm so bad at that. I'm hoping that will also help provide me with fresh inspiration... you never know?!

I sketched all the composite parts of my cat, Rufus on paper, scanned it onto the computer and then cut out the shapes and put them on separate layers, so I could move them around and position them as I wanted. I then added a drop shadow to each layer and a background colour to the bottom layer. This gives quite a realistic effect of the shapes having been cut out and glued to the paper - especially when the image is printed!

Photoshop painting finished

2008-12-29T07:04:00.000-08:00

So here is the final version of the black cat I was painting in Photoshop with my pen and wacom tablet. It took many hours - probabaly more than a normal pencil portrait would take me! However, I'm pleased with the final result. I think, though, that it might pay to not work as hard on the detail next time, as this could result in a more painterly feel, whereas this is more photorealistic - which can result in your artwork getting overlooked and brushed off as either a photo or something that someone has just applied an effect to! (Still I've had people say that about scans of some of my pencilwork, so nothing changes!).

Below you can see an altered version with a swathe of flowers in the background (simply added using a paintbrush in Photoshop). This is the final version that I gave to my mum for her Christmas present, as it is her cat "Tinker". She's well pleased with it, so I'm told.

return of the cavaliers

2008-12-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Here is the finished version of the 2 cavvies and big LabX girlies.

Taken from a photo at night, some of the darks are lost. I have upped the contrast quickly in photoshop, but the reflected light off the graphite on the biggest dog isn't true to life...

2008-11-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

Here is the painting after another few hours' work. This is taking a long time, but I think this may be largely due to the detail in the face. Hopefully I can make faster progress on the body... Only one way to find out though!

2008-11-21T12:58:00.000-08:00

So here he is after another hour or so's work. I've brought my Wacom tablet home from work, so I'm hoping to do some more this weekend. However, I also need to crack on with the spaniels! Too much to do and too little time!!!

Electronic painting WIP

2008-11-19T09:01:00.001-08:00

This is what I am currently doing during my lunchtimes at work.... I am lucky enough to have a good wacom graphics tablet and photoshop, so I have set about painting this black cat. I started by tracing a black outline in a fresh layer on top of the source photograph (which was quite large format). I then started working on the eyes, painting in colour by colour and simply smudging where necessary to get a nice blend.
The next stage is a kind of underpainting to get me started. Now, this is experimental, so it may not work, but it feels right, so why try anything different at this stage? The plan is to colour patches of highligh and lowlights for structure, then I shall do a more careful coating of fur on the top. As to the level of detail of the fur, I'm not sure. I'm probably not going to go too detailed, as I feel this would defeat the object of painting the cat rather than just rendering the original photo with some special effect!
Also the benefit is that once I have finished the cat, I can have a cutout of him to use for a number of designs if I so wish!
So far, this has taken me about 1hr 15mins. The drawing will include the whole of the cat, but this just shows the part I've worked on.

A cavalier attitude!

2008-11-17T12:29:00.000-08:00

So back to commission work! I've been working on this one for a couple of weeks now when I can find the time/energy!

This, I have to say - sorry Jen if you're reading this - has to been the toughest job I've had yet! I can see very little detail on the source photograph, and I have also had to rearrange the dogs so they sit more 'naturally' together on the chair. Being that one of the dogs is so much bigger than the other two, this was never going to be an easy composition, but I'm happy with the new format. I have made the puppy a little older (with permission from the client) to even out the size a little more (I didn't want her to be too small and go unnoticed!).

2008-11-16T02:14:00.000-08:00

Well, this has been a time of much change for me, and unfortunately, the art side of things has had to go on hold whilst I adjust to my new circumstances.

I started a new full time job in August, just at the time my exhibition was due to take place. Although I am working in an office, I'm getting to use my artistic and creative skills at work in the creative department of a food company. Now I have settled in there, I am just beginning to pick up more commission work again after finding the energy in the evenings now I have adjusted to my new routine.
My hubby and I also moved house a few weeks ago (never an easy task), my sister had her first baby and I have been involved in my drama group's latest production of Oliver! (That's why there's a picture of me holding a basket, as I'm being the strawberry seller!).
It's been rather hectic and I've paid the price in the form of a string of chronic illnesses which just keep me feeling below parr.
And there's little respite with the prospect of Christmas looming!

My artistic ambition is to get my entry for the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the year competition done,but I think it'll be a struggle what with everything else (panto rehearsals, Christmas shopping, bla bla...). I've written it here now, so if anyone reads this(?) feel free to hassle me to see if I've started it yet - I need the pressure!

Exhibition off!

2008-08-10T04:24:00.000-07:00

So, Rich and I were at the restaurant planning what to put where - I had it all planned out quite well... the chap that runs the place even suggested that we have a launch night with wine and pizza - I thought this was a great idea, but now see how having a few extra customers might have benefitted him too.... but it was too late.
I was staying away at a friend's house in Swindon when I thought I might just check my emails. I found a message in newsletter format that had gone out to all the restaurant's customers announcing that he had been forced to close the place down. And just like that my exhibition is off! I've spent the best part of the last year working to get these pieces drawn, scanned and framed, I'd managed to get lots of support from friends and family who were all coming along to my launch night, and I learned by a stock email that it was off. Even a phone call would have been courteous - he probably knew this was on the cards when I was measuring up and now I look back, I could sense an unease...
At least, as some have mentioned, my paintings were not on the walls when it closed - if he's dealing with liquidators, I might never have seen them again.

So I need to arrange an alternative venue, as I have twelve beautifully framed pictures gathering dust - and a fair chunk of money missing from my wallet, as framing doesn't come cheap! I'm looking into some possibilities, and as soon as I have plan, I will let you know!

In the meantime, I want to thank everyone that has been so supportive - those that were going to come and see the exhibition, and those that have offered their condolences and advice: it is all appreciated, and good to know who your friends are. So, thank you.

2008-07-19T05:32:00.000-07:00

This was a very fun experiment: I plugged my new (cheap) graphics tablet into my husband's computer and painted this picture of my Siamese cat, Rufus in Photoshop using the Paintbrush and smudge tools.

Tiger snoozing

2008-07-12T02:22:00.001-07:00

No works in progress this time, I'm afraid. I have just been working flat out to get this last drawing finished ready to get it scanned and framed for my exhibition in August.

This is a tiger from the Wildlife Heritage Foundation photographed by Susan Hughes (thank you, Susan) who volunteers there. I have since made my own visit to the Foundation and have some lovely photographs to draw from: This should help me solve the eternal dilemma that precludes me from entering my work into the main juried shows in this country. They almost always make a point of not allowing artists to submit work that is based on photographic sources that do not belong to them, regardless of whether or not they have permission. I find this enfuriating, as it is rather elitist: many aspiring artists don't have the time, money or even skill to go out and take decent photographs to work from. Most zoo animals do not make good references for wildlife art, as they are often older and overweight due to their circumstances: but how on earth could I afford to go out into the wilds of India and stalk them for photos? Impossible! (This is where the WHF has been a godsend: their cats are mostly in excellent shape and are regularly stimulated by the keepers, so you can get photos of animals that are not completely static!).

The photograph question issue does little to test your artistic mettle - the only reason I can see for them enforcing it is due to potential copyright issues from unscrupulous artists that have not requested permission (or those people that do not have any understand of photographer's copyrights). Surely a simple contract between the artist and photographer could be produced upon request? Many of us are not priviledged enough to access Borneo's Orang-utan's: does that mean that people with more money/resources are at an advantage? probably, but then I guess the world has always operated like that! Diatribe over.

Here's my tiger drawing - this is a photograph of the drawing, pending a scan. Not the best representation of the drawing, as I had trouble with light and adjustments but it'll do for now.

Back from the framer's

2008-06-27T05:07:00.000-07:00

So here is my amur leopard back from the framers. I used a black frame with a white double mounting, which I'm really pleased with.

Yesterday my husband and I visited London to see the new Wildlife Artist of the Year competition organised by the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation at the Mall Galleries. This is well worth a visit - especially to see my friend Marie's Amur Leopard. We then went on the the National Portrait Gallery to see the BP Portrait Award 2008. I was blown away by the photorealism of some of the oil pieces.... although not sure I would want my portrait to be photorealistic - why not just have a photo taken? - both exhibitions are free to enter and highly recommended!

Another piece ready for the framer

2008-06-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

So this is what I've been working on: my fighting common terns. This is a photo of the finished drawing, and not a great one, so I'll re-post once I get this drawing scanned properly. Many thanks to Fatih Sam for allowing me to use the source photo (a print will be on its way to you in the next couple of months!). Prints of this drawing will be available for sale on my website as well!

Here is a view of the drawing on my A1 drawing table for you to get some idea of size.

Yes it has gone a bit quiet from me....

2008-06-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

...But I have been very busy! I have recently applied for and been offered a new (but full-time) job using my creative skills. This is a great opportunity for me, but in the meantime, I'm trying to get my art-life sorted before I start working full time, as I'll only really have time to do commissions rather than work on exhibition work (although I'll see how it pans out).

I'm also rather excited because I have just got myself a graphics tablet, and I'm already finding it more comfortable than just a normal mouse: as an artist, I find the pen more comfortable, so I'm using that instead of a mouse. Obviously, I still unfortunately have to use a keyboard for typing, but one day, when voice recognition software because accessible and affordable for all, I should have a fab time! As my husband has just bought himself a new computer, I get the old one all to myself, and I've set myself up a mini office (see photo). Of course my drawing board has to stay in the other room, as there is not enough room for it in here!

Robert - finished

2008-05-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

So I've finished the portrait of the charming Robert. Having left all the leather until last makes drawing it more fun, because it all comes together at the end as you add more and more!

Robert update

2008-05-24T08:47:00.001-07:00

I know! it's Saturday and I've been working all day! what a good girl I am! Here's Robert a few hours later. One ear and the bridle to go!

Robert - horse head study

2008-05-24T02:55:00.000-07:00

Having had news that my exhibition has been delayed until August, it has given me the opportunity to work on this outstanding commission. This is an A4 sized head study of a horse called "Robert" (great name!). I'm working very dark, so it is taking a little longer. I'm leaving the bridle until last - I enjoy seeing the piece tie together once I start adding the various bits of leather and metal. Also adding any appropriate shadows to the areas around it instantly adds depth and perspective to the drawing.

Abysinnian in pastel

2008-05-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

i bought myself some velour pastel paper and did this drawing of an abysinnian cat. this is on A4 paper, and took approximately 4 hours to complete. I enjoyed working with a different medium, and find it really challenging working in colour when i'm not used to it! also velour blunts the pencil really quickly and it is very hard to get any detail. i'm going to do some more experiments with this paper (as i have quite a bit of it!), but am planning on trying to be a little more abstract and less fussy on the details, which for me will be a challenge in itself!

Amur Leopard - scanned

2008-05-16T12:15:00.000-07:00

now i've had this drawing professionally scanned, i thought i'd post that for you to see: the quality is way better than the photo i had originally taken...

Sleeping tabby

2008-04-24T09:45:00.000-07:00

look at this lovely boy! he's so cute and just like me beloved tabby cat daisy. i love their sleeping faces because their eyes and mouth 'smile'.

Leopard finished

2008-04-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

so here is the finished drawing. the photo is a little dark, i'm afraid, but the drawing will be professionally scanned eventually so i can make prints from it. the second photo gives you a sense of the size of the drawing. the desk is A1 sized.

more leopard

2008-04-04T02:33:00.000-07:00

this is slow progression, but i have to keep reminding myself this is a much bigger-than usual drawing! it's been challenging but enjoyable.

resumption of leopard drawing

2008-03-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

following my return from a wonderful break in cornwall, where i was lucky enough to see some cornish choughs in the wild (see photo), i have resumed my work on the drawing of the amur leopard.

(note: the second image was taken at night, lit by my desklamp, hence the glare on the left hand side).

cinderella

2008-03-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

i had previously let this go by without mention, but since my taking part in amateur dramatics forms a significant part of my creative persona, it would seem amiss not to say something about my having played the part of cinderella in a pantomime last month! it was rather fun and presented me with my first acting role since i was a child. it's been great for building my confidence, and now i'm looking for a bigger challenge by trying to get a role in a musical. here are a couple of photos of me as 'cinders'.