Tennessee Walker Horse Portrait in Pastel

I have just received approval tonight from the client in regards to this commission! I will be busy securing and packing the artwork so that it is ready to ship tomorrow. All of my artwork is shipped flat... the portrait surface is protected with a sheet of glassine paper and then carefully sandwiched in between several layers of cardboard. Then, I use plastic wrap to "waterproof" the artwork before securing with an additional layer of cardboard on either side, which is taped and sealed shut with clear packing tape.

The Tennessee Walking Horse featured on the portrait is described as dark bay. The original photos were not really good and so I had to use several different shots that the client gave me to come up with this composition.

Tennessee Walker
Pastel
14x18

To read more about this painting, visit my website http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/paint1description/Tennessee_Walker_Horse_painting.php

More progress on the horse painting commission

This horse's coat color is what is called dark bay. I am achieving the dark color by adding many layers of pastel on top of each other, with a reddish brown being the base coat. One can still see areas where the base coat still appears even though the darker grey black pastel has been added on top.

Tri-colored Shetland Sheepdog Painting in Pastel

In today's sitting I manged to sit long enough to complete the sheltie portrait. I still need to scan a high resolution copy for my files, as well as spray a light layer of fixative. I usually fix the pastel if it needs to be shipped out and, especially if there are muptiple layers of color. I find that white tends to be the worst pastel for dusting off.

"Cody" ~ Tri-colored Shetland Sheepdog Portrait
pastel on velour
11" x 14"

To view the progression of this portrait please visit my website here:

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

That Sheltie tongue!

I never thought that a dog's tongue could be so difficult to portray...the intricate groves and subtle tones and highlights along with the many different positions (it is a complex muscle!) means one has to really study it (and practice) in order to paint it realistically! It did not help that my reference photo had the muzzle (including the tongue and teeth) out of focus which made it that much more difficult.

Update on Sheltie portrait

I love drawing the markings, colors and fluffy long fur of shelties; their good looks make them handsome subjects for portraits.  This one is referred to as a tri-colored Shetland sheepdog because of his black, sable and white coat (white chest not yet visible).

On the next stage, I hope to have the mouth completed.

Gone to the dogs!

As my blogger and artist friend, Gary Keimig commented on one of my previous posts, it seems I have gone to the dogs. With yet another canine commission on the easel, I am busy getting portraits to their owners just in time for the Holidays. I share with you a few snap shots of the preliminary sketch and of the beginning of my next pastel k9 portrait.

American Eskimo (Miniature) Dog Montage Portrait in Pastel

The following dog portrait commission was done using soft pastels on sand colored Hahnemule velour board.

"Sadie"

18"x14"

pastel

Today's studio work

Seems the rainy weather is keeping me inside again today which turns out to be a good thing. This means I am not tempted to leave the studio and avoid what needs to be done! The distractions of working at home can become too great at times and it takes much discipline to keep on track.  With that said, here is where the American Eskimo montage portrait is at. I am almost done the central pose with only a few more touch ups to do then I move to the last smaller pose.

Step 3 of Dog Montage Portrait

In this sitting, I completed the third pose of the puppy running in the grass. The original reference image was rather small and blurry so it did present it's challenges. Nonetheless, I feel the lack of sharpness on the drawing accentuates the feel of movement as the dog hops along the ground.



The next step I will begin to work on the larger, main pose of the Miniature American Eskimo.





Portrait of Dog Montage Stage 1

This commission  of a miniature American Eskimo will feature a main central pose surrounded by 4 smaller poses of the dog depicting special moments in her life.  I will be posting the progress of this portrait on my blog and website so please do come back and visit!

White German Shepherd Portrait in Pastel

Portrait of "Dena"

Medium: pastel

Support: archival suede

Size: 8" x 10"

COMMISSION

read more about this dog portrait here:

www.colettetheriault.com

Step 4-White Shepherd

I completed the ears at this sitting but might go back and darken the shadows slightly. Also on this image, you can see a base layer has been applied to the upped neck and nape area. More to come soon!

Step 3 White Shepherd Portrait

During today's sitting, i was able to complete the dog's muzzle and mouth. I will now progress to the top of the dog's head and ears before continuing to the throat and neck area.

Step 2-White German Shepherd

Well folks, this is the last update as I shut the lights and lay down my pastels for today. Before heading to bed, I managed to add the nose and eye and even started adding the facial fur. In the next step, I will finish the mouth and muzzle before I most likely move on to the ears and top of the head.

Step 1-White Shepherd Portrait

In this sitting I laid down the blurred out background, being careful not to dirty the space where the white shepherd's head occupies. The mottling effect seen on the tan area of the dog's head is the subtle pattern found on the suede board itself.

Cow Moose Painting Revisited

After too many lonely months of being stored unfinished in my "studio", I decided to tackle this larger moose painting again in the hopes of completing it for my upcoming show next weekend. I've had many ups and downs with this piece mainly because it is made up, in part, of several different reference photos as well as my imagination.

First thing I did was to remove a bunch of branches with yellow leaves near the top left corner, just above the smaller moose's back. After much contemplation and rethinking, I decided it was just too distracting and competed with the main subjects. Such is the beauty of pastel...a few swipes of base color to hide the mess and I'm free to repaint a new forest!

I still have a few remaining touches but it should be framed and hanging by the end of the week!

Now, to find a title...

Red Squirrels in Maple bush-update on painting

Due to numerous request by fellow artist, I have included a step by step process of how I work pastels on velour paper. This method I have devised (although I am certain others have discovered it way before I have!) is very useful when one cannot trace or transfer outlines on the work surface. It is quicker and less messy than using the grid or projection method and is perfect for retaining proportions.

The first step in transfering the image to the velour board is to print out the mock image in outline format (Photoshop) in b/w. In this case, due to the larger size, I had to print the image in four sections and tape them together.

The second step involves cutting out contrasting shapes and outlines that define each subject or area to be drawn. As you progressively cut out each area, you trace the outline using a graphite pencil or dark pastel pencil.

Below, the outline is clearly visible and I even started drawing a small area of the painting.

This piece I consider moderately busy (more than I am used to) due to the many trees and branches intertwining everywhere and to make it worse, tons of dead leaves on the ground. I plan on working this piece in many smaller sections and continue on methodically in this fashion until all sections are finished and the masterpiece is revealed. And so that is the plan...