Moose painting in pastels on velour

My next "personal" project, a large wildlife portrait of 2 moose in autumn at dawn. This pastel painting will measure about 18" x 25".

Here is the mock photograph I will be using as reference.

Indian Blue Peacock Painting...almost done!

Here's the latest on Mr. Peacock...you will need to click on the link to view the image full size:

http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/paint1description/Peacock_pastel_painting.php

Watercolor Poodle Portrait update

Zoe's portrait is coming along great. This portrait is quite a challenge as the reference photographs are rather poor and I must rely on feedback from the client. Visit the dog gallery to view more portraits of dogs here http://www.colettetheriault.com/dogportraits.php

Scanning a large portrait

Well after many attempts at photographing a large portrait of a group of Percheron horses under different light conditions, I still was not satisfied with the results. The client and I wanted a digital backup file of the portrait in the event that the original was ever damaged.
It seemed the best resolution I was able to achieve (with professional equipment at the photographer's studio) was still not sufficient to reproduce a large 23" x 40" portrait with satisfactorily results.

With much discontent, I took out my scanner and began the laborious task of scanning the area in about 26 or so different sections and meticulously pasting it all together. When scanning on a small 11 x 14 scanner, the edges of each scan are blurry due to the edges of the paper not being in contact with the glass. Each scanned area had to be carefully cropped of these blurry areas before being aligned and pasted together to form the final digital patchwork.

The final task was to go over canvas, blown up at original resolution (150 dpi), and inspect for any imperfections, misalignment or blurry areas and correct if noticeable. If the flaw was minor, I would use a special tool from Adobe Photoshop to fix, otherwise, I had to rescan the area and add another patch to the digital canvas.

Finally, once satisfied with the patchwork of scans, I merged the areas together and adjusted the contrast levels and color if necessary.

The resulting digital copy was a whooping 120MB file with the exact same measurement as the original. I made sure to save many copies so that I have backups if necessary.

Another day's work...

Mr. Peacock is coming along quite fine. Just a bit more to do and this painting will be almost finished.

You can view the work in progress here:

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

Peacock painting

I'm just pooped from working all day at this...but love how it is coming along.

Peacock Pastel Painting

For the most current update of the peacock painting, please visit http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/paint1description/Peacock_pastel_painting.php

Peacock pastel painting

Here is a close up of the peacock portrait. The medium used is pastel pencils on grey velour paper.

Wildlife Art On the Easel

Shown here is a "worktable" shot of a pastel painting of a peacock I am presently working on. At times, when I have breaks between commissions, I enjoy creating my own compostitions.

The reference photograph for this portrait was taken at Bell Falls campground during one of our stays a few summers ago.

Watercolor Pet Portrait update

I can now say that the background is pretty much completed, perhaps a few touch ups here and there, and a few more tiny whispy branches.
After all this work, I will now start to paint the details of the poodle!

Update on watercolor painting of poodle

I've added a bit more background this morning. The nice fall colors are brightening up the composition. The original reference photograph was rather dark and blurry.

Watercolor painting of standard poodle-Update

I've started working the background for this watercolor dog portrait. Zoe, a standard poodle is shown here in a park in New York city. The two towers in the background are the Warner Brothers Buildings.

I am using Derwent graphitint watersoluble pencils along with various windsor newton watercolor paints to create this portrait.

Pastel Portrait of Bernese Mountain Dog

A commissioned portrait of a most beautiful dog! Just click on the link below to see a larger detailed view and for a complete description.

http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Bernese_Mountain_dog_pastel_pet_portrait.php

Update

I'm working on a pastel painting and a watercolor paiting and will update the images soon.

Bernese Mountain Dog Pastel Portrait

I couldn't resist drawing the outline sketch for this pastel portrait. It gives me an idea where the features and markings will be. The pastel has been layed on black velour paper.

Poodle Sketch

I've been busy drawing the basic outline sketch for this standard poodle watercolor portrait. I will start to paint very soon!

Group Portrait of Percheron Horses

Well, here is the portrait, finally! You can see close up views of each horse by clicking on the links below (horses from left to right).

Jane: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Janedescription.php

Prince: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Princedescription.php

Duke: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Dukedescription.php

Francis: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Francisdescription.php

Jake: http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Patsydescription.php

Patsy:http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/petdescriptions/Patsydescription.php

Large horse colored pencil commission finished!

I've completed my latest horse portrait of a group of six percherons today. This has been a year long project, and I thank my client for being so patient and understanding. I have delivered the portrait to the photographer's today so that a digital copy can be created in the event something were to happen to the original. The portrait's large size (23" x 40") makes it unsuitalbe for scanning so a high quality photograph is the next best thing for reproductions.

I will post the finished artwork as soon as I have the clear image.

Watercolor Portrait commission

A beautiful standard poodle named Zoe is my current commission. She is pictured her in a park in New York City. I will use watercolor paints to render her portrait.

Newest Pastel Portrait commission

Here is a mock pose of Lucas, a Bernese Mountain Dog that I will be painting using pastels on velour paper. What a handsome dog!

New Year

I would like to thank my clients for entrusting me in creating their treasured portrait, that special pose of loved pets that will be cherished for many years to come. It is my hope that I can continue to paint and draw those pets that we hold so dear in our hearts, in this coming New Year and for many, many years to come.

May the New Year bring you peace, joy and prosperity!

Colette