Here is the latest update from the cat drawing. Although it may not appear so, some of the areas of white fur actually have quite a bit of detail which is not discernible at this size/scan. I will reserve that for the final post once the artwork is completed.
Wildlife Art and Pet Portraits by Canadian Nature & Animal Artist Colette Theriault
Welcome to my world of animal artistry! Read the news right here and see the very latest in artwork, pet portrait commissions, works in progress, illustrations, personal projects and more.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Cat continued... coming to life on paper
There still are a few more touch ups to be done to this cat's face but she is definitely starting to look like how I want her to. The original reference photo is rather dark due to the shadow on her black fur so I want to add some definition rather than solid blackness in those areas.
In the next steps, the position of the rest of her body will slowly be revealed... so stay tuned!!
Labels:
cat portrait,
enhanced graphite,
pencil drawing,
update
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Those Staring Green Eyes...
Well, this is it for today...I wanted to go to sleep feeling good that I colored those greens eyes so I would not put my pencils down until I did just that. I will be going back and most likely reshaping the eyes some as I am just too tired for that tonight and want to look at her with fresh eyes tomorrow!
I used Rembrandt Polychromos colored pencils which are oil based, rather than the conventional wax based pencils.
I used Rembrandt Polychromos colored pencils which are oil based, rather than the conventional wax based pencils.
Labels:
cat portrait,
colored pencil,
enhanced graphite,
pencil drawing,
update
Scaredy Cat Drawing Progress
There is no denying that I have reached the "ugly" stage of this drawing...a subject with no eyes is downright scary and this cat is no exception! I have gone against my usual and "safe" method of always drawing the eyes first, perhaps because I feel no pressure whatsoever on this drawing (it is not a commission).
The mood I am feeling today has to be one of bliss; the joy of creating work just for ME. That got me thinking of a title for this drawing...which might include the word "bliss" to aptly describe the cat's contentment...but who knows what cats are thinking?!?!
The mood I am feeling today has to be one of bliss; the joy of creating work just for ME. That got me thinking of a title for this drawing...which might include the word "bliss" to aptly describe the cat's contentment...but who knows what cats are thinking?!?!
Labels:
cat portrait,
graphite pencil,
painting update,
pencil drawing
Monday, February 6, 2012
Progression of a cat portrait in pencil
Before I close the lights in the studio and call it a day, I decided to scan and show the (little) bit of progress I accomplished today. Tomorrow is another day and I hope to sit down long enough to finish most of her face.
Labels:
cat portrait,
drawing,
graphite pencil,
portrait update
New Animal Portrait in Graphite...bye bye pastels, for now anyways...
I love working with pastels but it is the tremendous surface area required that I dislike (that and having to clean the dust). I am talking about the surface area required to lay out my numerous pastel chalks, sticks and pencils so that finding the exact color I need can be done at a glance. This also means that my pastels are left laying around collecting dust and taking up precious room. But even worse is the potential for breakage should one roll off the top of a table or chair, or whatever else surface I have them sprawled over.
Logically, I knew one day I would require a storage unit for them; you know, one that has numerous, wide but shallow drawers that allow for easy storage, viewing and sorting of my precious pigments! These taborets as they are sometimes called, can be expensive but I am fortunate to have several family members involved in the woodworking profession. Both my husband and my father are avid woodworkers; my father being retired, was the prime candidate for my next project, and he wholeheartedly agreed! Once the unit is finished and set up in my studio, I will be posting a follow up with lots of photos, so stay tuned!
Now that my pastels are stored away in their respective containers on the shelf and I have cleaned my studio and work easel of the colored dust, it was safe to take out my virgin white paper and graphite pencils to begin my next project. It may not look like much at the moment, but I take it that some of you will readily guess the silhouette of the featured animal.
Logically, I knew one day I would require a storage unit for them; you know, one that has numerous, wide but shallow drawers that allow for easy storage, viewing and sorting of my precious pigments! These taborets as they are sometimes called, can be expensive but I am fortunate to have several family members involved in the woodworking profession. Both my husband and my father are avid woodworkers; my father being retired, was the prime candidate for my next project, and he wholeheartedly agreed! Once the unit is finished and set up in my studio, I will be posting a follow up with lots of photos, so stay tuned!
Now that my pastels are stored away in their respective containers on the shelf and I have cleaned my studio and work easel of the colored dust, it was safe to take out my virgin white paper and graphite pencils to begin my next project. It may not look like much at the moment, but I take it that some of you will readily guess the silhouette of the featured animal.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Timber Wolf Painting in Pastel ~ Dreaming of Eden
After today's work in the studio, I have reached that point of not wanting to work on this painting anymore for fear of turning it muddy. I am sure any painting could be worked to death, looking for further improvements, but I have to call this wolf portrait done!
The title I chose is self explanatory...I can't help but feel for the plight of the wolf since no animal has been persecuted so cruelly throughout history and continues to be to this day.
The wolf portrayed in this painting lives at Kisma Preserve , Mount Desert, Maine. He was rescued as a pup from people who were keeping him illegally and unfortunately, due to his age and tameness, could not be released back into the wild. I had the opportunity to meet and photograph him and his cage mate last August so watch for more wolf paintings to come!
The title I chose is self explanatory...I can't help but feel for the plight of the wolf since no animal has been persecuted so cruelly throughout history and continues to be to this day.
The wolf portrayed in this painting lives at Kisma Preserve , Mount Desert, Maine. He was rescued as a pup from people who were keeping him illegally and unfortunately, due to his age and tameness, could not be released back into the wild. I had the opportunity to meet and photograph him and his cage mate last August so watch for more wolf paintings to come!
![]() |
| "Dreaming of Eden" ~ Timber Wolf Painting~ Size: approx. 13" x 15" Medium: pastel |
Friday, January 27, 2012
WIP #9 of wolf painting...more pine needles!
I decided to leave the "paw" alone for a while. It was determined upon further examination of my various references that the wolf's leg is all we would see with the painting cropped the way it is...so no more worries about that paw!
From my last update, you can see that I continued the pine needles to the left of the painting. I also added an evergreen seedling on the vertical edge of the painting for added interest. I still have a bit of detail to add to the white area of body fur near the seedling, and of course, I have to finish that foreleg!
Labels:
painting update,
pastel on suede,
Wildlife art,
wolf
Thursday, January 26, 2012
WIP #8 of wolf painting...a bit of greenery
After putting much thought into how I was going to draw the foreground, I decided that a blanket of pine needles interspersed with some vegetation would suffice. I did not like the lawn type grass that was on the original reference photo because it reminded me of the captive situation of the wolf in question.
I'm not quite sure how I am going to handle the wolf's paw yet. I want to draw the whole paw as opposed to it being partially hidden by vegetation (like on my reference)... but that would mean I have to sift through hundreds of photos to find a suitable reference which I may not find!
I'm not quite sure how I am going to handle the wolf's paw yet. I want to draw the whole paw as opposed to it being partially hidden by vegetation (like on my reference)... but that would mean I have to sift through hundreds of photos to find a suitable reference which I may not find!
Labels:
painting update,
pastel on suede,
Wildlife art,
wolf
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
WIP #7 of wolf painting
After spending a whole afternoon doing website updates on my main site (and other time consuming shores around the house), I am now back in the studio, at least for the remainder of this day.
In this step of the wolf portrait, I've added more of the body fur to the left and also added more detail to the short fur on top of the wolf's head. You might have noticed that the shape of the muzzle is slightly distorted at the tip but this is only temporary, as you will soon find out.
In this step of the wolf portrait, I've added more of the body fur to the left and also added more detail to the short fur on top of the wolf's head. You might have noticed that the shape of the muzzle is slightly distorted at the tip but this is only temporary, as you will soon find out.
Labels:
pastel on suede,
update,
wildlife artwork,
wolf
Saturday, January 21, 2012
WIP #6 of wolf painting
In this step, now that the other ear has been added, the subject is beginning to look more like the wolf it should be. I like to pass that stage of a painting as it gives me a visual overview which makes it easier for me to determine if the subject is turning out like I want it to.
Labels:
painting pastel,
pastel on suede,
update,
wildife art,
wolf
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
WIP #5 of wolf painting
Well, I did set out to do what I intended for today and that was to complete the wolf's left ear. During the next sitting, I plan on continuing laying down the fur of the cheek and then starting the other ear.
Labels:
pastel on suede,
portrait update,
wildlife artwork,
wolf
WIP #4 of wolf painting
In today's sitting, I decided to finish the upper part of the painting. I think I should best work the ears next and then continue to add the layers to the fur on top of the head. In this manner, I will avoid working over top of already finished areas.
The image below represents the approximate dimensions of what will be the finished piece.
The image below represents the approximate dimensions of what will be the finished piece.
Labels:
painting pastel,
pastel on suede,
update,
Wildlife art,
wolf
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
WIP #3 of wolf painting
Ah, what a good day I've had in the studio! I feel like I could go on all night but think it's best I take a break and rest my eyes and back! It feels good working on something that I can't put down...I just hope it lasts....
Labels:
painting update,
pastel on suede,
wildlife artwork,
wolf
WIP #2 of wolf painting
This afternoon, I've been really hacking away at laying down the fur, making sure to follow the direction of the hair growth. Of course, this is just the base coat and many more layers are to be added!
Labels:
painting pastel,
pastel on suede,
portrait update,
wildife art,
wolf
New Wildlife Painting on the Easel
Now that I have all my current commissions done, I can concentrate on working on some pieces for my upcoming show in May 2012. I want to have a few more new paintings to hang, and decided to tackle the larger pieces first.
The sleeping wolf I am portraying is one I had the pleasure to meet and photograph last August at a wildlife sanctuary in Maine. I am using pastels on light gray suede board.
The sleeping wolf I am portraying is one I had the pleasure to meet and photograph last August at a wildlife sanctuary in Maine. I am using pastels on light gray suede board.
Labels:
painting,
pastel on suede,
wildife art,
wolf
Monday, January 16, 2012
Pug Portrait Painting in Pastel
While it is not often that I can complete a portrait in one day and be satisfied with it, I am hoping that the client approves this one so that I can move on to my next project of another "furry" nature....details to come soon!
![]() |
| "Mic" ~pug pastel on suede 7" x 5" |
New dog portrait
I started this pug portrait today and unfortunately, all I have to work with are either blurry photos, photos that have bad eye glare from the camera flash or photos that are too small to work with. It seems to be coming along rather well though and I hope the client approves what I have done so far.
Labels:
commission,
dog portrait,
painting update,
pastel on suede,
pug
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Commemorative Artwork (Drawing) of US Army k-9 Police Handler and his Military Working Dog
It has been a while since my last post and some of you might have been wondering what was on my easel? I started this commission last April and although I was given over a year to complete it, I felt it's completion was long overdue.
The drawing features Military K-9 Police handler Sgt Chris Lalonde and his dog U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Fasco. The pair participated in a historic tandem jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 12,500 feet, Sept. 18, 2009. The jump took place at the Gammon Parade Field on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. during Military Police Warfighter Week.
The drawing features Military K-9 Police handler Sgt Chris Lalonde and his dog U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Fasco. The pair participated in a historic tandem jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 12,500 feet, Sept. 18, 2009. The jump took place at the Gammon Parade Field on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. during Military Police Warfighter Week.
![]() |
| Sgt Chris Lalonde & Sgt Major Fasco Pencil Drawing 11" x 14" |
Labels:
commission,
dog drawing,
pencil drawing,
Police k-9 artwork
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Pet Portrait Gift Certificates for Christmas Present
For those who are looking for a last minute gift for that special someone, it is never too late to order a pet portrait gift certificate. No need to wait for it to arrive in the mail, my gift certificates can be printed at home on your computer in just a few clicks of the mouse and voila! Here is an example of one of my pet portrait certificates:
You can order your gift certificate for an orginal pet portrait in any amount you choose here:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



















