Lee Campbell – Artist

Past Commissions

Tribute to Turner – oil on canvas 5′ x 3′ Lee Campbell

Having copied the above painting as closely as possible from Turner’s ‘Fighting Temeraire’ I have so much respect for him. Imprecision when painted so perfectly, is harder to emulate than something precise and specific.

There are many historical inaccuracies in the painting, for example the masts and sails would not have been visible as the old sailing ship was being towed to the wrecker’s yard to be broken down. She had been lying at Sheerness Dock for some time where her splendid masts, 98 cannons , anchors etc. would have been removed. There would have been two steam tugs towing her and because she is being towed westwards up the River Thames to Rotherhide the sunset would not be behind her and the delicate crescent moon on the far left would not have been visible.

Such factual details are insignificant when the power of the image lies in it’s symbolism and nostalgia. The end of the Royal British Navy’s era of fighting sailing ships and the contrast between the dignity, grace and beauty of “Saucy’ (as the sailors used to call her) and the dirty metallic modern steam boat is starkly evident. The ‘Temeraire’ had played a distinguished role in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 but 30 years later has become redundant and is recommissioned.

The fact that Turner had created this painting in his later years, kept it in his studio and referred to it as his ‘darling’ suggests that he may have also identified with something great in it’s twilight years and being past it’s best.

The experience of walking the footsteps of such a master has left me humbled and reassured that my motto ‘Never let reality get in the way of a good painting’ is surely justified.

To see a map of the interior of the ship and the battle damage she sustained – see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1245180/HMS-Invincible-Inside-battle-ship-famous-Turner-fighting-Temeraire.html

Orleans House – Lee Campbell

White Lodge – Lee Campbell

Melinda’s Sunset – Lee Campbell

Bushy Park – Lee Campbell

Emma’s Sunrise – Lee Campbell

Pembrook Wedding – Lee Campbell

Sailing – oil on canvas – Lee Campbell

‘Adrian Rocks’ oil on canvas – Lee Campbell

Petersham Golden Green – oil on canvas – Lee Campbell

Kingston Bridge – Lee Campbell

Cardiff Bay – Lee Campbell

MG on Embankment – Lee Campbell

RCA Secret Roses – Copy- Lee Campbell

Thames Dawn – Lee Campbell

The Savoy – – Lee Campbell

To Commission an Original Oil Painting

The above are all commissions – some from photos sent to me and some from my own research – some more intricate than others but all have taken me out of my comfort zone providing exciting challenges.

To commission a piece of original art work from all I need is your photo/s and the dimensions of the finished piece – from this I can give a quote and the approx. time of completion. I ask for a 50% deposit (PayPal or BACS) and the remainder is paid on collection of the finished piece. I work closely with my clients providing regular e mail updates.

In order to work out the best size for your space – tape a sheet of paper to the wall and measure this.

Available Prints

The following Giclee Prints are available from ‘Frames’ in Twickenham or from the artist http://www.leecampbell.co.uk

Embankment – Lee Campbell

White Swan Twickenham – Lee Campbell

Twickenham Green – Lee Campbell

Teddington Lock – Lee Campbell

Twickenham Rowing Club – Lee Campbell

Eel Pie Autumn – Lee Campbell

Golden Days – Lee Campbell

October Gold – Lee Campbell

Frozen Blue – Lee Campbell

Marble Hill House – Lee Campbell

‘Twickenham Gold’ –  Lee Campbell

Twickenham Mist – Lee Campbell

‘Twickenham Blue’ – Lee Campbell

Union Jack/Roses – Lee Campbell

The Thames November Draw Off

 This new series of local scenes feature the ‘draw off’ which takes place each November between Richmond and Teddington Locks to allow for the river bank to be cleared of debris. This year the draw off will last until 25th Dec to allow for repairs to Richmond Lock gates, apparently they are waiting on a cable to be sent from Russia.
This can result in some unusual views of the riverbed dotted with feeding birds – swans, ducks, coots, gulls, rooks, crows, cormorants, grebes and herons can all be seen easily from the bridge over to the island.  Whilst these low tides reveal many horrors to be cleaned away by volunteers, they also reveal all sorts of treasures normally hidden beneath the waters. Under the rocks are hundreds of freshwater shrimps, crabs and  eels. These range from 2-inch elvers right up to more mature specimens over a foot long. Marine biologists from the Zoological Society of London have previously recorded he freshwater gastropod, the river snail, pea muscles, zebra muscles, freshwater cockles, swan muscles, leeches and flatworms.

‘Twickenham November’ – oil on paper Lee Campbell

Draw Off – Sunday