Howling gray timber wolf painting using soft pastels on Uart sanded paper

I was absolutely thrilled when I was asked by one of my wildlife art collectors to paint a wolf portrait for them. They wanted a second portrait to match the Canada Lynx portrait they previously acquired from me and I thought a wolf would be an excellent subject to accompany the feline art piece. This particular composition I created with some artistic creativity and about four different reference images. I think my favorite part of painting this piece was when I added the mist created by the wolf's warm breath.

I really do have to paint more wolves as they have to be my absolute favorite wild animal. And who doesn't like to hear their haunting howls?

"Northern Serenade"-Gray Timber Wolf

soft pastels on UArt sanded paper

7" x 7"

Sold

www.colettetheriault.com

Canadian Lynx portrait, painting in pastels by Colette Theriault

I created this painting for my "Drawn to Nature" solo Exhibit at Artists on Elgin which took place the month of April 2017. On opening day, I was stoked to find out a collector had walked in first thing in the morning and purchased this pensive pose of a Canada lynx. What a wonderful surprise to wake up to!
The reference image for this piece was photographed by myself, while on one of the many field excursion trips. I generally take all my own reference images because that way, I'm assured the painting or drawing I create from them will be original.
I hope you like my rendition of one of Canada's most majestic wildlife, one of two of our native wild cats.
Until next time, stay warm!

"Deep in Thought"

Canadian Lynx

pastel painting

SOLD

Winter Black Capped Chickadee Bird Wildlife Painting in Pastels

This little chickadee painting was created last year and was part of my spring solo art show "Drawn to Nature".  The start of the year was a very productive time in the studio as I managed to create 16 new original pieces or art specifically for the exhibit. While this one didn't immediately sell, I was thrilled when contacted recently by a collector who purchased this little treasure.

I'm thinking of featuring this bird artwork on some note-cards which will be for sale in packs of four.

If you missed my exhibit and would like to see it on video, just hop on over to Drawn to Nature video and enjoy!

"Winterlude"

Black Capped Chickadee

pastel painting

5.5"x5.5"

SOLD

Diving Polar Bear Drawing Wildlife Artwork

I have quite a bit of catching up to do in terms of art sharing. This is bound to happen when you are the sole proprietor of a business so I get to wear many hats and some things must get pushed to the back burner due to lack of time.

The following diving polar bear portrait was featured during my last solo exhibition "Drawn to Nature" and was quite popular with visitors. He was one of the last piece to be completed during my three month creative blitz and probably my most favorite to work on.

Due to the global warming phenomenon, the disappearing ice floes make it harder for this white bear to successfully hunt and find prey during the diminished hunting season.  Polar bears must stock up and replenish their body stores by consuming adequate amounts of seal blubber; this to sustain them through the rest of the year when they have nothing else to feed on. Sadly, some are unable to do this and end up having to scavenge on garbage, leaving many starving to death. "Pushing The Limits" is meant to draw attention to the shrinking world polar bears are currently facing and raise awareness about the importance and urgency of promoting environmental stewardship.

"Pushing The Limits"

 Diving Polar Bear

10"x15"

pencil drawing

Painting in pastel of black capped chickadee and golden aspen in autumn.

I am thrilled beyond thrilled that this fresh new painting of 2016 sold, and before it was ever completed! Since I've  had multiple inquiries about purchasing this chickadee painting, I fully intend on producing limited edition giclee prints so that others can enjoy it as well. And of course, more bird paintings to come in the future!

Photographs of original artwork never do them justice and this one is no exception. I still have to scan and tweak a digital copy to match the original as close as possible but this photo gives you a good idea of the warm soft glowing light shinning through the heart-shaped aspen leaves. So, I aptly named this artwork "Heartwarmer"; I hope you like it! Feel free to share if you like my work! Thanks so much!!

SOLD

"Heartwarmer"

Black-caped chickadee in trembling poplar

approx 8x10

pastel

Private Collection

More work available on my website gallery www.colettetheriault.com

Pastel bird painting of great egret

I started working on the composition of this painting last year and then had put it aside as I was busy with commissions. It was inspired from a photograph I took while visiting Florida during the spring breeding season. This Great Egret was busy pruning his feathers and long graceful plumes and seemed oblivious to the fact that I was a few meters away snapping shots of him.  

I will be posting a time-lapse video of the work in progress at a later date as I now must get back to those commissions waiting for me in the studio. 

 This painting is now SOLD!

Great Egret

untitled

pastel

9x14

Private Collection

Step 6 Great Egret Painting in pastel

During the last few days, I've been working on making more time-lapse videos of  Pet Portrait Christmas commissions (which I will share in my next post).  Eventually, when this bird painting is finished, I will be making a video clip of it as well.

Later this afternoon, I took some time out to continue working on the wing feathers of the Great Egret. It can be hard to resist the temptation to overwork parts of a painting...which is what I unfortunately felt I was doing today! I think I will leave those parts of the wing feathers and move on to a different section...

Before the day is over, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I plan to create quite a number of personal pieces this year as I get ready for a solo show! 

Step 5 Great Egret Bird Painting work in progress

On this step I have completed most of the bird's long neck feathers. I continue to add dark to medium grey and brown pastel as my under-painting, to created those parts of the white plumage that are darkened by shadows. Stay tuned for more feather painting!!

For those who are curious, the bird is a Great Egret, (Ardea alba), also named the Common Egret, Great White Heron.

Step 4 of Egret bird painting using pastels

I am at the stage now where the bird is starting to pop out of the painting.  The light subject and a dark background creates strong contrast.  Keep watching for more updates!

Winter Snowshoe Hare Pencil Drawing

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and many thanks for all the support and encouragement throughout the year!

This year we have an unusually warm and green Christmas. While I really enjoy the warmer temps, I sort of miss the beautiful blanket of snow. I am sure the snowshoe hare probably prefers the white stuff as well since his white coat makes him stick out like a sore thumb amid the browns, golds and greens of the forest!

White Bengal Tiger Cub Painting (pastel)

I'm absolutely elated to share that the following artwork is the third "big cat" painting that I've sold in the last 6 months! This blue-eyed Bengal tiger cub was only 5 months old when I met and photographed him at a sanctuary in the eastern State of Maine.  After being featured at a local gallery, "he" will now be heading to his permanent home in Southern Ontario.

To read more about the plight of white tigers and the problems of inbreeding, please visit my website www.colettetheriault.com

"Enthralled"

16"x16"

pastel

Private Collection

Jaguar Big Cat Painting in Watercolor

This is one of my earlier paintings, created using watercolors.  Regretfully, since I discovered soft pastels, I  longer work with watercolor paints. It's not that I don't like them; I just prefer the ease and versatility of dry soft pastels.

This magnificent cat was photographed at a zoo while he was resting peacefully with his cage-mate, a melanistic (black) jaguar. I decided to paint the normal spotted feline because of the beautiful patterned coat and rich coloration of the fur.

"Sleeping Jaguar"

9"x20"

watercolor

Private Collection

You can view more of my artwork (pet portraits, wildlife, landscape) on my official website at www.colettetheriault.com 

Reflections from my studio

Although I did not achieve all I had planned for 2014, it was still a memorable year. Many wonderful opportunities arose...I explored Panama for 3 weeks, taught workshops for adults and teens (Visionart), established new relationships with several galleries, sold quite a few original paintings and prints from my inventory, worked with old and new clients as I created commissions for them, and met some wonderful people who've inspired me to never give up! Thank you all and I welcome 2015 with open arms, embracing the new adventures and opportunities that await...

Red-Breasted Nuthatch bird paintings (diptych) using pastels...SOLD!

I purposefully positioned the male and female on this diptych to face each other while the shape and angle of their bodies and the tree trunks continually lead the eyes to each painting, harmoniously joining the two together (at least that is what I hope to have accomplished).

Nuthatches are acrobatic little birds, often seen going headfirst down a tree trunk or branch looking for food. Breeding pairs are monogamous which means they mate for life.

As you will see from the reference images below, this time, I really broke free from being a slave to a photograph (or two)!  Since I wanted to paint a diptych of a pair of red-breasted nuthaches in breeding plumage, I sifted through my own reference photos and found a suitable one I had taken of a juvenile red-breasted nuthatch (photo on the bottom right).

I had a composition in mind but none of the photos I had taken were suitable for the second painting... my problem was that I did not have any nice downward-facing poses of a  nuthatch.

Then, one day, almost by accident, I found the perfect pose while reading my blog roll! My dear blogger friend, Carol Blackburn, graciously agreed for me to use hers as a guide for my painting (even though the bird she photographed on the left below, was a white-breasted nuthatch)! 

So, as you can see, the female bird has undergone quite a transformation and even changed specie! As for the male bird, he has transformed as well, just not as dramatically...he is all grown up on my painting...the little guy on my photo was not quite mature yet and had not developed his full coloration!

Progress on nuthatch bird painting

The pair of red-breasted nuthatches (diptych painting) is progressing well today.  
I have begun to differentiate the two birds at this stage, and you can now see that the male has a deeper rust on his chest when compared to the female on the left.  Another distinct difference is that the male sports a black crown while the female's is dark grey (although the angle of the male's head makes it a little difficult to discern).

Progress on nuthatch bird paintings

I am quite enjoying painting these adorable little fellas! This is the first time I paint two pieces at once; I work a bit on one bird and before it progresses too far, I switch to the other bird until I've reached a point similar to the first while working the corresponding area on each bird. From my last post, you can see that I started with the background, and then progressed to the birds' heads. This way, I will see both birds emerge at the same time.

Nuthatches are lively, curious little birds, akin to the black capped chickadee.

A Pair of Nuthatches-bird paintings in pastel

I've just started these two miniature paintings of red-breasted nuthatches tonight using soft pastels. Since both bird paintings share a similar background and color scheme, I've decided it would be easier and quicker to work on them simultaneously.  I also plan to frame them as a diptych...

Snow Leopard Print/Artist's Proof with Remarque

I'm excited to announce that I've decided to make available to the public these very limited Artist's Proof (AP)  giclée prints of my drawing "Peaceful Repose" (Asian snow leopard). The print run is limited to only 5 copies; each with a one-of-a-kind hand-drawn remarque drawing!

 You can see below a larger view of  the remarque which is hand-drawn on the print.  The drawing is created with graphite, charcoal and enhanced with colored pencil.  Each additional AP has a different hand-drawn image of a snow leopard which makes every print very unique. Note that AP 1/5 is sold but the remaining prints are available for purchase for 125$ each.

Asian Snow Leopard Drawing using graphite, charcoal and colored pencils...SOLD!

I am so very thrilled to announce that "Peaceful Repose" has found his forever home!
Before shipping the artwork, I took the opportunity to do a final scan of the drawing with my new scanner.  I now have a pretty good digital representation of the artwork before it leaves for its final destination.

 "Peaceful Repose"

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

size: 9"x11"

graphite, charcoal and colored pencils

To view the reference image used for this artwork and the work in progress, click here

To read more about the snow leopard, visit my website here

Wolf face painting details...

Here is a closeup photo of the wolf's face, showing more detail, especially on the "white" areas. I am continuing to build up layers of pastel but not quite done the wolf's face just yet.  Stay tuned for more updates on this stalking wolf painting!