The start of a new bird painting in pastel

I am taking advantage of some free time to start another piece but this time it will involve a scene from Western Africa. As you can see from the reference images, the subject is non other than beautiful crowned crane.

I am totally changing the backdrop for the bird as I didn't like the green grass on the reference photo I took at a sanctuary.  As for the scene,  I am hoping to capture a serene moment at dusk, depicting the lush grassland that make up part of  the bird's native habitat.

This is the first time I am using Pastlemat by Clairefontaine so it will be an interesting exercise.  It is very much like very fine sandpaper but I am realising that very different results are achieved depending on the blending method I use.

 

and tonight's update:

 

Soft Pastel on Sandpaper Workshop

Last weekend, I presented a 2-day workshop for members of the Rayside Balfour Whitewater Lake Brush and Palette Art Club. During the workshop, I demonstrated the techniques that I use for creating my pastel portraits with sandpaper as the support. Judging from their facial expression, I presume they were quite happy with their results.

 I was told that the participants enjoyed themselves so much that they requested I return early next year to teach them how to work pastel on suede and velour papers! I am delighted that my workshops encourage other artists to give pastel a try.... and it seems I have many of them hooked on the medium and thirsty to learn more about this versatile and enduring medium.

Keep on Painting!

Colette

Miniature Moth Orchid Painting in Pastel

Completed my second miniature painting tonight. Although not 100% satisfied with it, I take it as a learning experience and just move on!  I will be posting my completed cat commission tomorrow, now that the owner approved the final version.

hummm, now what to work on next....

"Cascade of Blossoms"

Phalaenopsis (Moth) Orchid

3" x 4.5"

pastel on sandpaper

Miniature Pastel Painting no.2

Being an avid orchid collector, I have been wanting to paint one of my flowering beauties for as long as I can remember. I have spent the better part of yesterday going over my photos and trying to figure out which poses to combine and use fo rmy next composition.  Many of you will readily recognize this now popular orchid as none other than the "moth" orchid.

Silvery Blue Butterfly (male) Painting in Miniature

Today's work in the studio resulted in a miniature butterfly painting using pastel on sanded paper. Yesterday, I spent about an hour working with my photo references to come up with the resulting composition and then I was able to actually paint it in one day.

Most of you may not realize this tiny butterfly which is resting momentarily on a single blade of grass has a wing-span of only about an inch!!!!  (which means one fore wing measures less than a half inch).   In addition to the striking blue metallic color of the upper wings, you should also notice the fray of tiny white hairs on the outer border of the wings which is characteristic of this species.
I called this painting "A Wink of Blue"  because you only see the intense color when the male opens his wings and it is only for a fraction of a second (like most butterflies, they keep the wings folded unless in flight)! The painting therefore acts as a "teaser" to the observer, offering only a partial glimpse of those splendid blue wings; something that can be easily missed in the blink of an eye.

"A Wink of Blue"

male silvery blue butterfly

(Glaucopsyche lygdamus)

4.5" x 3"

pastel on sandpaper

More Bird Feathers

Painting realistic bird feathers can be challenging at best and working with pastels is no exception.  I, for one, have come to realize that I have grown to dislike painting feathers, especially more so after working this piece to death!   I consider this another exercise; one that has forced me to practice something I dislike and truly frustrates me. I hope this bird painting does not find it's way in my "behind the door" pile...

More on the eagle painting...

I have not been able to work on this piece for a few days but it did feel nice to hop in the seat at the easel again. Although it does not look like I have achieved much work on the bird, there is a significant amount of time spent blending and shaping the pastel on the paper; something that simply cannot be rushed.

 I hope you enjoy following my updates as much as I enjoy sharing them with you!

Black Capped Chickadee Painting

For this composition, I used two of my reference photographs and rearranged/re sized the birds and tree branch/trunk until I reached a desirable composition. I originally had come up with 4 different poses but finally decided on this particular one since the position of the birds and tree recreated the most pleasing and balanced arrangement.

I am delighted to have been able to complete this painting in a relatively short time!

"Two's Company" ~ Black Capped Chickadees
pastel on archival sanded paper
14" x 11"

To view the progression of this painting, visit my website here:
http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/Chickadees_wip.php

Today's update on the chickadee painting

I have worked more of the birch bark on this step and slowly working my way to the right and downwards to prevent smudging the pastel. Accidental smudging is much more of an issue when working pastels on sandpaper as opposed to using suede or velour. But then, one can easily blend the pastel on the sandpaper; virtually impossible on the flock type surface of the velour and suede.

Chickadee painting step 4

As an animal artist who paints mainly fur, I have to admit that I am finding that recreating the birch bark on this scene is a refreshing change. I can't say that it is easy to follow the intricacies of the bark on the reference and then reproduce them on paper...it's probably because I am not used to drawing trees. So forcing myself to do so is a great exercise (which is what I consider this painting to be).

Step 3 of Chickadee bird painting

I am not quite finished the second bird on this update as I decided to add some of the background color of the birch trunk to help me evaluate my values. I am looking forward to start working on the birch bark detail  and hope it won't present too much of a challenge but I am ready for it!

Step 2 of Chickadee bird painting

With the background now complete, I have begun to add the details of  one of the main subjects. Being right handed, it makes sense to work the bird on the branch on the left hand side first, to avoid smudging the painting as I work my way across.

Working backgrounds with pastels

I am happy to share that the horse portrait is now complete and waiting client approval! I will share the final scan of the work once I am sure that no other touch ups are needed, I promise!

Feeling a sense of relief, and wanting to indulge in my own creativity, I am now working on a wildlife bird scene of two black-capped chickadees. Since I received my order from Blick today, why not try my new Rembrandt's on the Colorfix Plein Air Painting Board?

After printing and cutting the outline of my subjects, I worked the background first, spreading the pastel with my fingers (I use finger cots now!) all the while using the cut-out paper as a guide and a mask. This is an easy and fast way to work backgrounds while keeping the area that needs to be free of color still virgin. I have included the two images below to illustrate my point.



-completed background with cut-out (grey-scale)

-background completed with cut-out removed leaving clean area with crisp edges

German Short Haired Pointer Portrait in Pastel

Portrait of "Kaiser"~German Short Haired Pointer

Pastel on fine sandpaper

10"x8"

To view the work in progress of this portrait please visit:

http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/Pointerwip.php

More progress on dog portait

I am hoping to have this commission completed before the end of this week as I have reached the homestretch phase of the portrait. This is always the most exciting time for me when everything comes together and the dog suddenly seems to spring to life on the paper.

Dog breed hints: German/hunting

Next Dog Commission

I have paused working on the horse portrait as I wait word from the client in regards to the background. In the mean time, I thought I'd share a few work in progress steps of one of my Christmas commissions. I've decided to use black sandpaper as a support for the pastel since the dog is mainly black. I love working light over dark and jump at the opportunity to do so.

Any guesses as to the breed? It is not a Lab.

Last post of 2010

To all my followers and visitors I thank you for joining me this past year on my blog and I wish you all the health, prosperity and creativity for 2011! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! And to my artist friends, I'm looking forward to seeing your new works so keep on painting and drawing!!


Before I leave to celebrate the New Year's with my family, I'd like to share one more update on the progress of the bird in pastel. He will be my first priority of 2011 and I'm looking forward to revealing the finished product upon my return to the "studio".

Have a safe celebration everyone!

Cheers,
Colette

Last update of the night

I decided to work a bit more on this bird painting later tonight since it is going pretty well for me. My last bird composition (spoonbills) caused me much frustration, in part due to the not-so-good reference image and also due to lack of experience drawing detailed feathers using pastel on sandpaper.

...so fingers crossed for this one!

Bird painting update...

Here's my bird slowly coming to life! I just love backlit subjects...I find they make such wonderful compositions. I guess I lucked out on taking a good photo of this bird so that helps!
Thanks for watching/following...

Bird painting on the easel

Started this piece using pastels on sandpaper. I have been working on the background tonight trying to get a blurry effect from the reflection on the leaves. I will most likely go back and add some black in the areas that I "dirtied" too much. Live and learn!
Been fighting a slow, progressing upper respiratory infection that started with a scratchy, swollen throat which is now itchy and driving me nuts with dry coughing! And today, the dreaded runny nose has started. Hugh...just have to tough it out and take some pain/symptom relief meds when I can't bear it no more....and to make-sure-I-can-rest-medicine, a good glass of hot lemon gin to knock me out for bed!