Friday, June 1, 2012

Trumpeter Swan painting in pastel revisited

Ever since I framed this piece I felt it was inadequately painted. I hung it in my bedroom where I could see it everyday upon awakening, to remind me that someday I had to improve upon what I had done wrong.  I always felt it was too dark and gloomy overall, the birds lacked contrast against the water and the sunspots on the rear bird screamed at me to remove them. My biggest mistake was that I had painted the birds exactly as they appeared on my reference photo...They were swimming under a tree and the area was poorly lit due to the deep shade... and  then there were the distracting sunspots!

You apparently learn from your mistakes however and  I have since learned to use my artistic license more freely. I like to think that the painting has been improved upon; if not, I take it as a lesson and leave it at that.

avian painting in pastel by Colette Theriault
original version

"Family Outing"
pastel
22" x 11"
Trumpeter Swan Painting in Pastel by Wildlife Artist Colette Theriault
new version 


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Black capped chickadee painting in pastel

I am calling this one just about finished, but after a night's sleep, I may find something I want to tweak. You may notice that the bird has changed position slightly as he was sitting rather straight...I simply rotated the paper slightly and I think it looks much better.

Here is the updated version....I reworked the black bib.
Black capped chickadee painting in pastel by avian artist Colette Theriault
Title: "Little Visitor"
Medium: pastel
Size: 6.5" x 4.5"

Today's distraction....

I have been distracted today by taking photographs of the visiting hummers. I have set up quite an impressive station with many hanging baskets of annual flowers and 4 feeding stations, situated right beside my patio door. It is hard to do anything "productive" when the opportunity arises for a photo shoot. I guess my next painting might just be of a humming bird!

Anyhow, I resumed working on the chickadee painting and this is what I accomplished so far:

Step 2 of Chickadee painting by Colette Theriault

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Miniature bird painting on the easel

I started another miniature tonight of a favorite bird; the black capped chickadee. I am trying out a new "suede" paper by Art Spectrum and I prefer it over any other sandpaper I have tried thus far. It has a buttery smooth surface like no other I have seen, yet with still enough tooth to allow for multiple layers of pastel.

chickadee bird painting in progress by Canadian wildlife artist Colette Theriault

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Chocolate Labrador Portrait in Graphite Pencil

After consideration from the client, it was decided that the grass was to be left out. I retouched the eyes slightly, adjusting the pupils and the reflection slightly. I just love her intense gaze and her alert expression.

Chocolate Labrador Portrait in Graphite Pencil by Pet Artist Colette Theriault
Chocolate Labrador Drawing
8"x10"
graphite pencil

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Dog drawing almost done!

I am waiting feedback on the client as to how to complete the surface the dog is laying on. The reference images has the dog laying on grass but the client may want something different.

dog drawing in progress by animal portraitist Colette Theriault

Update on dog in graphite

I plan on finishing this dog portrait today as I have a few more I need to start on in the next weeks...

progress of dog portrait in graphite by animal artist Colette Theriault

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dog Portrait Commission

I am now quite advanced on this portrait and do apologize for not posting the works in progress sooner; I added a few to this post so you can see the progression. I always feel relieved once the drawing passes the "ugly" stage.
The drawing is done using graphite pencils and the eyes have been enhanced with colored pencil (oil type). The paper type I am using is Fabriano archival paper.

commissioned dog portrait work in progress

progression of a dog drawing

initial stages of a dog commission drawing

begining a dog portrait in graphite

Sunday, May 6, 2012

White Tiger Cub Painting in pastel

As promised, I am revealing the finished tiger painting now that the official opening reception of the exhibit has passed...
white tiger cub painting in pastel by Canadian wildlife artist Colette Theriault
"Enthralled"
white tiger cub
14' x 14"
pastel on archival paper


Sunday, April 29, 2012

Peregrine Falcon Painting...one more for the show!

I am elated to have finished this piece tonight!! I surprised myself by working under pressure and am happy with the results. I hope you enjoyed watching the progress of this bird portrait as much as I enjoyed painting him.

Peregrine Falcon Painting in Pastel by Award Winning Animal Artist Colette Theriault

"The Wanderer"
Peregrine Falcon
7"x9"
pastel on suede

Looking good....

I am quite optimistic now that this piece will be actually completed in time for the exhibition, and won't be displayed as a work in progress. I hope the wing won't present itself as being difficult for me as this can easily spell frustration and disaster! I remain positive...




Keeping abreast....

After a brief lunch break, I have continued working the falcon's breast feathers. It is very easy to loose track of the feathers and pattern so I try to keep distraction at a minimum while working....




Less than 24 hrs...

Up bright and early, here is this morning's update on the falcon painting. I'll be hanging my work early tomorrow morning at the gallery so I will have one last minute framing job to do (whether completed or not)...I never cut it this short to a deadline but since I was compelled to start a new piece, why not include it in the show?


Friday, April 27, 2012

Bird Painting update

You should be able to recognise this falcon now that his head is almost complete.I am using pastel pencils on ochre colored suede board.

In time for show??

I had this funny urge to start a brand new painting just 3 days before the show... What am I thinking?!?! We'll just have to wait and see if I can pull it off or...I can always have a work in progress at the opening reception.

Many of you will readily recognize this bird by his beak... He is no longer on the endangered species list in Ontario and many parts of his north American range due to the ban of DDT and conservation efforts.

I have completed the white tiger cub pastel painting but am waiting for the show opening before revealing the framed piece on my blog just to keep you all hanging....

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Art Exhibition at Stopciati Gallery

You and your friends are cordially invited to meet the artists, Colette Theriault and Ray Thoms at the Opening Reception, Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at Stopciati Gallery from 1-4pm.

Ray and I will be revealing many new works so please take a moment to stop buy.




Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Artists for Conservation


I am very pleased to announce that I have been accepted into Artists for Conservation, a respected and prestigious worldwide artist's organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of nature through art.

Being a member of AFC not only allows me to share my love of the natural world's most precious wonders on a more global scale and allow me to connect with like-minded artists, but more importantly, it acts as an influential platform to further promote conservation and education. I am honored to be part of an organization that underlines the importance of preservation as well as the dangers of species extinction through art. Like so many, I am deeply concerned and troubled by the challenges that face the natural world as the earth's environment constantly changes. It is my greatest hope that my work will help contribute to the cause of conservation.

Please take a moment and visit the AFC website at www.natureartists.com and browse through the selection of highly skilled artists. You can view my Artist Profile at  http://www.natureartists.com/colette_theriault.asp

A huge THANK YOU to my artist friends Gemma, John and Danielle for your advice and encouragement in the application process!!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

White tiger eyes revealed!

An animal portrait just doesn't seem to come to life until one adds the eyes. This tiger cub painting should be completed very soon and will be on display at my next exhibition (duo show with good friend Ray Thoms) which opens April 30th in Sudbury. I will be posting an announcement regarding the show shortly on my FB page as well as my website and blog.

and slowly the eyes are revealed....

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Today's painting update

I did not like how the ear presented on the reference image and so today's progress was relatively slow as I struggled to work in the tiger's left ear. I think I am happy with it...now if I can only concentrate long enough to finish the pattern on his forehead...working in negative tends to leave me tired at the end of a session but I love working "in reverse" on a dark background.


I can't wait to add the beautiful eyes!!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012