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

Commissioned Chihuahua dog portrait using pastels

When I was asked to create this portrait to commemorate Brembo the Mexican Chihuahua, it was easy to choose which photo I was to work from.  Although the eyes looked darker and the background was busy, everything else about the pose was simply just perfect!

You can see the progression of this portrait on my FB page Animal Artistry Portraits and I am hoping to create a video as well and post to my YouTube channel in the not too distant future.

 In the meantime, I have many personal projects I want to work on but have been getting a steady stream of clients so the paying work has to come first. I enjoy every bit of it and would not want to be doing anything other than painting and drawing except perhaps spending time playing in the gardens. Summer is so short, we have to take advantage of the warm sunny days when they occur.

Stay warm and don't forget to take some time to smell the roses!

 

 Brembo

Blonde Chihuahua

soft pastels

8x10

Commission (Sold)

Bichon Frise pet portrait progress on the easel

Been busy in the studio working on this dog painting commission of an adorable little Bichon Frise. I thought I'd share some of the work in progress pictures I took with my phone so you can see some of the steps involved. I lightly draw a pencil sketch then I always start with the eyes...yes, the eyes are the windows to the soul and I feel I need to get those just right before I can continue with the rest of the portrait. Sometimes, I go back and tweak a little but there is nothing usually major unless the client points something out.
That is another reason I take progress shots of my work and send to the client. It gives the opportunity to provide feedback and if necessary, little touch ups here and there.
I want every client to be totally in love with their portrait so it is important it is to their liking.
Keep watching to see the rest of the portrait as it progresses to the grand finale in my next post!

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

Manx short haired tabby cat pet portrait painting

I was asked to create a portrait of this handsome kitty and was so very thrilled when I saw this striking pose. Head held high, eyes full of life, what is not to love about this cat portrait?

Max is a short haired manx (tailess) cat with lovely tabby markings and a white chest. His glowing green eyes are the center of attention and were my favorite part to draw.

I used mostly pastel pencils to create this painting...a touch of NuPastels only for the darkest blacks and whitest whites.

His owner was very pleased at the results of his portrait and I'm hoping Max will like it too. You can follow the progress of my works on a daily basis on my Facebook Animal Artistry page

 

Portrait of "Max" 

5x7

pastel

commission (sold)

Baby Raccoon painting available as prints

One of the first paintings to sell during my solo exhibition last April was this adorable little raccoon. I've had so many compliments about him and requests for prints that I decided to make some affordable reproductions available.  A portion of each sale will be donated to Wild at Heart Animal Rescue located in Walden, Ontario.

Please don't hesitate to contact me should you want to purchase a print of  "You Lookin' at Me?"
Print size is 5"x7" and can be framed in a 5x7 frame without mat or in an 8x10 frame with a mat.

Yellow Labrador Dog Pet Portrait commission

When I first saw the reference image I was using for Ollie's portrait I thought oh, how much FUN it was going to be to draw this pose! One can't help but smile looking at Ollie's charming face as she stares right back at you.
This portrait was commissioned to remember all the joy that Ollie brought to the lives of her human family.

Ollie

Yellow Labrador Retriever

Pastel

11x14

commission

Custom portrait of sheltie/border collie mix painting using pastels

When I was approached to paint this portrait of Kara, I was astonished to see the long fur on her very erect ears. I was thrilled at the chance to draw a dog with such a charming appearance and wonderful colors. She will truly be missed by her loving family and I am honored to have been chosen to create such a touching lasting memory of a dear loyal companion.

Kara

Shetland Sheepdog/Border Collie mix

8x10

pastel

COMMISSION

Painting in Pastel: A Golden Retriever Portrait Commission

I was asked to paint a portrait of this charming Golden Retriever to be presented as a birthday/graduation gift.  The pose below is actually a composite created from two of the client's photographs (the dog was in the snow).  It can be tricky to compose a portrait in this manner as the artist has to consider lighting, angles, and proportions and ensure these are accurately rendered. 

To view more detail, click the image to enlarge.

"Cooper"

8x10

pastel

Commission

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

New tropical bird painting in pastels on my easel!

I started working on a new bird painting featuring a tropical species that I photographed in St-Augustine, FL several years ago. I have so many reference photos that sometimes, I want to paint them all and really have a hard time choosing which one to do next.

Working in pastels requires protective framing (which can be expensive!!) and since I already had the perfect frame for this composition,  I decided this was the one!  I hope you enjoy watching the progress of this piece.

Shetland Sheepdog Portrait in pastel...continued and not forgotten!

My gosh what a busy year! Seems I am now only starting to catch up with work in the studio and office.
Now that the weather has cooled I am forced to spend more time indoors which means I head to the studio as much as I can.

I've been extremely fortunate to have very patient clients waiting for me to complete this superb pose of their beloved dog!!  (Thank you SO MUCH for understanding). 

So here is a bit more on the portrait of "Oz"...

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

The "ART" of Meditation and Relaxation

I am finally back in the studio after a slight hiatus! It feels great to be able to sit at the easel and lose myself in total relaxation as I listen to music and simply paint. Relax you might say?? Some of you might find it hard to believe that creating art can become a form of meditation. It has for me.
As my mind becomes focused I am forced to concentrate on the task at hand, hence the mental distractions disappear.  Of course, frustration can negatively impact this state of bliss so I try to keep that at a minimum by staying calm and simply believing in myself.♥

Below is a detail snap shot of a new work in progress. I hope you will enjoy the transformation of a blank piece of paper into a special work of art.
 

 P.S. You can follow the progression of this dog painting from start to finish by subscribing to my Facebook page "Animal Artistry of Colette Theriault".   Simply "Like" my page and future posts should end up automatically in your  news feed... OR... you can "Follow by Email" (Both the Facebook and Follow by Email links are located on right hand side of this blog post)  ------------>>>>

Blue Peacock Miniature Painting in pastel...SOLD!

This is the first in a series of three peacock-themed paintings. Since I have the three matching frames, the paintings will have a similar color scheme.

I'm not sure why blogger drastically changes uploaded images, looks like they are color enhanced as this is nowhere near as vivid as my painting looks like in real life... I have a better representation on my website at www.colettetheriault.com

 untitled

4"x3"

pastel

available for purchase

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 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.

Progress of Belgian Malinois Portrait

I took the following photo, which shows the next step of the dog portrait, with my phone and so the colors are way off. It will have to do for now, I suppose...until I scan a final version of the completed artwork and make any necessary color adjustments.

On this step, I'm almost finished the fur on the neck/shoulder and then I will move on to finishing off the background (which should be a breeze)!

Stay tuned for the conclusion to this painting...

Dog portrait progress of a painting...

I don't know why uploading images to blogger alters the color and fuzzes out the detail but the green background on this painting is totally off (it should be more forest green, toward the blue spectrum)! Oh well, regardless, I wanted to share an update now that I've added the eyes and started layering the facial fur. It is a tedious process of layering and blending the pastels directly on the suede but well worth the results.
He still looks sort of funny at this stage with his nose and open smiley mouth only sketched in.