Landscape in pastels

I have been enjoying creating quite a few landscapes recently; they provide me with much needed artistic freedom. Despite basing my work on my photographic references, I am able to add my own creative touches without having to be a slave to the reference. This can be liberating at times, since my commissioned pet portrait work needs to bear impeccable resemblance to the subject.

I might add that these landscape pieces sell quite easily and often within hours of posting online. So I'm quite stoked that people want to enjoy them in their homes as much as I enjoyed envisioning and creating them.

To all my clients, I thank you for your support and encouragement!

"Whitson Sunset"

soft pastels on archival paper

11"x14"

SOLD

Time-lapse Video of a Pastel Painting of Fisherman on the Spanish River, Ontario

Most of my commissions represent great sentimental value to my clients/recipients and this one is no exception. The gentleman portrayed in the scene is unfortunately no longer with us and the family wanted something to remember him by that would bring back fond memories.

The scene is located on the Spanish River at a favorite fishing spot in front of the family cottage on a calm but sunny and warm day.  I can't think of a better portrait to commemorate this particular individual.


For more videos of my paintings and drawings in progress, visit my youtube channel at:

Colette Theriault youtube channel

"Fishing the Spanish"

COMMISSION

11x14

pastel

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!

Temagami Lake Ontario sunrise painting in pastel

This pastel landscape painting of a lake sunrise is the second piece featured at the GNO's Nouveau Louvre Exhibit in Sudbury, Ontario. The dark spruce trees and their mirror reflection contrast against the pale baby blue and coral sky/water. What a glorious calm morning on this beautiful pristine Northern Ontario lake....the start to a picture perfect fishing day!

SOLD

Temagami Sunrise

Pastel

8.5x12

Private Collection

Pastel skies and misty water landscape painting

Fresh off the easel!! The following pastel painting is one of two that I will have featured (among other artists' work) from Nov. 21st to Dec. 23rd at the Nouveau Louvre Exhibition (GNO,174 Elgin St. Sudbury).  This is the gallery's most important fundraiser where all works of art are priced at 200$, with 75$ going to the gallery and 125$ to the artist.

 Don't miss out on owning an original and affordable piece of genuine ART! Just in time for holiday gift giving (or to buy for yourself!).

"Misty Morning"

pastel

9"x12"

This pastel painting comes mounted in a floating black frame:

A few recent awards and news

Back in July, I was super thrilled that all three of my submissions were accepted into the La Cloche Juried Art Show (Whitefish Falls) AND  absolutely overjoyed that my miniature pastel painting earned First Place in the pastel category!  To top it off, on closing day I found out that I had sold two pieces!! Have a look...

"La Cloche Glory"

pastel 

2.5" x 3.5"

SOLD

"Anchored Off Shore"

pastel

8" x 10"

SOLD

"Balancing Act"

pastel

13" x 9"

Available

(please contact the artist)

Golden Sunset landscape painting in pastel

I just could not wait to use my new shimmering "gold" Schminke pastel stick! Since I had the perfect frame, I decided to created this mini sunset scene using soft pastels. It measures only 2.5" x 3.5" and is perfect for someone with limited space or who simply enjoys more affordable miniature work.

 

"La Cloche Glory"

2.5" x 3.5" (unframed)

pastel

For Sale

Plein air landscape painting in pastel of Cedar Falls, Wahnapitei River, Sudbury Ontario

I recently sold this plein air painting of a favorite wilderness trail near the Killarney area. I remember vividly how quickly I had to work, not only because of the changing light conditions but mainly due to sitting on the rock ledge in the scorching sun accompanied by numerous biting deer flies! After several hours, I was happy to head back to camp and cool off with a refreshing swim.

You can view a larger image of this and other landscape paintings at:
http://www.colettetheriault.com/Scenes.php

"Cedar Falls" 

(Wahnapitei River)

approx. 9" x 12"

pastel

Private Collection

Floating Leaf painting

Just thought I'd share a little painting that is out of my norm!

I few months ago, I was experimenting with some new pastels and polychromos oil based pencils. I used one of my photographic reference of a floating leaf with  lots of colorful patterned reflections in the water. I was determined to finish this painting in a few hours! Although I did not achieve the results I was envisioning, I am content that I did try a different approach to painting which was to not spend hours and hours working it to perfection.

"Just Floating By"

approx. 5"x7"
pastel and pencil
Available for Purchase 
(contact the artist)

Landscape plein air pastel paintings from Panama

I have been absent from the virtual world but it is not because I have not been productive. After spending 16 days in Panama, I come home with a plethora of memories of adventures, encounters and excursions as well as many photographs that will inspire me to paint for years to come! The culture, the language, the people, the natural history, the weather, the fauna and wildlife and ecosystems are of course all very different from Northern Ontario. I of course tried to learn and absorb as much as I could during my short but memorable stay.

After the first week in Panama, I surprised myself and was able to complete 2 paintings. Most of you who are familiar with my drawing and painting style and choice of subject matter, know that I am primarily an animal portraitist. However, I do like a "change in scenery" once in a while and so settled to focus instead on studying the landscape while attempting to put on paper a few of the sights before me.

I am still searching for titles...

untitled
(view from the balcony 1)
Pein Air Painting in Pastel
8x10

untitled
(view from the balcony 2)
Pastel Painting
8x10

Maple Bush Landscape Painting

This special request was a rather large painting I completed for a client. I don't normally take on commissions of this type but felt it was time to push the limits of my comfort zone and explore something other than animals and wildlife.

The reference photos used for this painting came from my own collection (main scene) as well as from the client (gentleman). The painting is a gift to commemorate the life of a special father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time at the maple bush.

"Sweet Memories"

pastel

23"x16"

 



Summer Fun pastel painting

Here is the final scan of the kids' having fun swinging from the old tree.
Medium: pastel
Support: suede
Size: 11.5" x 15.5"

The final stretch...

Well, I guess the figures are as good as they are going to be so I'm not retouching them anymore. Besides, the paper is being worn down in that area...I wonder why?? Ha ha ha.
Not much left to do to finish this scene now...I can't give up now; it would be a shame after all this work and detail. One more push to the finish line...

Painting tiny figures!

Before continuing this painting, I felt I had to start adding the human figures standing on the rocks and swinging from the rope. Since each figure measures only about 1.5 to 2 inches, I knew it would be challenging to paint using pastels!! And so I started with the boy swinging from the rope...he seemed the easiest subject to paint given the fact his face is hidden behind his arm. There's something about drawing small faces that I dislike...probably because I can't add much detail and because the scale is so small, that one can easily mess it up. But then it is probably more likely because of my lack of experience and enthusiasm!!

Once I had completed the boy on the rope to my satisfaction, hence build my confidence a little, I moved to the girl on the rock...I worked a good half hour on that small figure until I decide it was best to step back and leave it for a bit. I'm unsure if I will be touching it up or not. Before calling it quits for the night though, I painted more rocks and water to encourage me to continue!

Pastel painting progress

After working on the rocks for a while, I lost interest and decided to "play" with the water. I guess I was getting bored with this piece! I think in the next sitting I'll tackle the task I dread the most...the 2 figures standing on the rock and the one swinging mid-air, hanging on the rope. I think the fear comes from the figures being so small, only about 1.5 inches tall and getting the detail in such a small space won't be easy. I will need to sharpen those pastel pencils extra well!

Something very different...

While waiting for client photos to finish the last of my commissions, I've decided to tackle different subjects for my next painting...the human figure and landscape! For me at least, this is not something I am comfortable with, but felt I needed to take the plunge and step out of the box for at moment and force my creative side to work harder. I've included the reference photograph along with a few works in progress:

The reference was taken a few years back during a stay at camp. The weather was very warm and the kids were enjoying swinging from a rope tied to this old reliable pine tree and jumping in the lake from a rock formation. That image brought back many memories of my own childhood when I enjoyed the same pleasure as my children did that summer day not long ago. And that is my inspiration for this painting!