Lesley Smitheringale Fine Art

July 7th, 2008

Garden Guests - Crested Pigeons Puffed up in the Cold [7 July 2008]

We’ve had a couple of chilly, wet days which always brings down more birds looking for shelter and food. There seems to be a growing number of crested pigeons who love our yard but in particular out neighbour’s roof.

This little fellow was actually asleep and all puffed up in the afternoon chill.

They seem to love hanging out on our neighbours’ TV aerial and I wonder if they get poor reception as a result!

Posted in Garden Guests Diary
By Lesley Smitheringale

July 5th, 2008

Featured Artist: Tom Krieger

This digital painter’s work is phenominal. Tom lives near Hamburg in Germany and he started off using traditional airbrush techniques onto board but has progressed to digital using mainly Photoshop and Painter.

From an interview with Tom at CGArena this is his advice to artists -

Would you like to give any 5 tips to the Photoshop users which like to create artwork like yours?

• Do not think about your own style or copy other styles, just paint and play around with photos, structures and layers as much as you can so the style will come automatically.
• Just be awake every time and imagine how to paint things that you actually see all the times
• Let you be inspired by nature
• Always compare with the best is a good way to know where you are
• The main tip: be creative and be inspired all the time and: just do it!

Here is a selection of Tom’s digital paintings and none of them are photos!

Black Rhino

Fruit Rain

“Okay: some of you asked me how I did this kind of work. Every single piece was separate illustrated on a separate layer”

Siberian Tiger

Brave Dog

Jumping Cat

Panther

Humpback Whale

Tom’s work on deviantArt (Illugraphy)

Tom’s Website/Blog

Posted in Featured Artist, Photography/Digital Art
By Lesley Smitheringale

July 1st, 2008

Pastel Pets - Pet Portraits Commissions

I am thrilled to announce that I am now available to do pet portraits as commissioned work and here is my first gorgeous model, Tammy who is a Bichon Frisé. I have met and cuddled this dog and she is delightful as are her owners.

Posted in Pastel Pets
By Lesley Smitheringale