Cat pet portrait work in progress (pastel painting)

Several months ago, I was asked to create a head and neck portrait of this beautiful cat to be given as an early Christmas present to my client's sister.  Like always, when I work on my commissions, I take progression photos which I send to the client for review and feedback. This not only gives the client an opportunity to provide input but also allows them to view the creation process as the subject slowly but surely comes to life in front of their eyes. On occasion, the client may change their mind about a particular aspect (such as a collar or tag for example) and as long as the work is not so far advanced and impossible to change, I am able to fulfill the request.

So, I thought that it would be nice to share the step by step process of how this kitty came to life on paper. Unfortunately, I had to work rather quickly because of the Christmas rush and so I did not take as many progress shots as I usually do.

This first image is a high resolution scan of the actual completed artwork. I manually adjust for color, tone and value using Photoshop and then add a watermark for id purposes. I try to match the original as close as possible but there is always some slight variation due to individual monitor settings and light conditions.

"Sylvester"

Pastel

4"x6"

SOLD

The following images were taken under my work lamp using my cell phone. I don't scan the art as I'm working on it as this is mostly unnecessary and takes up valuable work time. On occasion, I might scan the art when it is further advanced; for example, if the client needs to compare eye or coat color to the actual subject so that it is portrayed as accurately as possible.

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Step4

Flat Coated Retriever Dog Portrait Painting in Pastel

Words truly cannot express the feelings I experience when the client unwraps their portrait and I get to see their reaction as they finally view it in person for the first time. I often find it overwhelming actually, that through my artistic creations I am able to evoke intense mixed reactions of comfort, joy, sadness and perhaps even closure for the owners as they remember their cherished pet. This, in addition to the heartfelt comments I receive, indicate to me that I indeed succeeded in portraying the animal's true character and likeness... just reward for my efforts.

"Galoche"
pastel on suede
11"x14"
Commissioned Portrait

Painting Progress of Shetland Sheepdog Portrait

On this step, I completed the ears and added more layers to saturate the background color. I also tweaked the eyes a little as well as several areas on the face.

 

I might revisit the background at a later date but next I move on to the long fur I enjoy painting the most...that of the bib and neck.

 

Update on Pastel Painting of Dog Portrait

My favorite fur type to paint is probably that of Shelties and dogs with similar coats but the layering is very time consuming!  The way the subject poses and how the fur lays on this dog's coat makes for an interesting composition and a great exercise at patience.

I hope you enjoy watching the progress of this pastel portrait as the dog seems to poke it's way through the paper. Thank you for following!

Dog Portrait of Sheltie on the easel

After spending a three week vacation/field trip to Florida, it's time to get back to some serious work in the studio. Although I have been very busy with many tasks and chores at home and in the studio both prior to and after my trip, it can be overwhelming to actually sit down  and simply paint for any period of time. It will take some training to get my mind into that "creative mode" once again and leave all my distractions behind and prioritize and delegate items on that to-do list!

So I bit the bullet this afternoon and finally put on some music, sat at my easel and started working on this new dog portrait. I will divulge more details about how I came to paint his piece at a later date but for now, I can share the work in progress.

Siamese Cat Portrait: A Painting in Pastel

I had so much fun painting this beautiful cat's portrait. It is not a commission but rather, came about from one of my reference images from my photography library. The wondrous lighting, contrast and glowing icy blue eye of the Siamese is what compelled me to paint her.

Now, to find a name for this painting...something I don't usually struggle with but I can't seem to find anything appropriate that I like so far.  Update: "Bejeweled"

Siamese Cat Portrait
"Bejeweled"
pastel painting
4"x6"
SOLD

For more cat portraits, please visit my website at
http://www.colettetheriault.com/catportraits.php

Song Sparrow: a bird painting in pastel

I have yet to give this painting a title...other than the obvious "bird on a wire", which is too overused for my liking, I'll have to give it some good brainstorming!

Nonetheless, I share with you the final update on the bird painting. I am glad now that I accidently made the wire too large and had to increase the size of the bird. It was much easier to add the detail on the larger format.

Song Sparrow- untitled
13" x 9"
pastel
Available

Song sparrow painting almost done!

After completing the bark on the tree trunk, I can now move on to finishing the final details on the sparrow. I will probably revisit the background, more specifically, the right hand side area of the painting where the single thin tree is located.

Sparrow painting update

Before continuing on the tree trunk bark, I decided it was best to finish working the background and redrawing the bird so that it is now larger.  I like this so much better as the bird's size looks more proportionate with the barbed wire.

I may end up cropping the painting differently because I notice the larger bird is now too centred.
Several options include further cropping out the right hand side to move the bird out of centre or making the paining square format by cropping out some of both sides....we'll see!



A slight retouch is in order...

OOPS!! Seems as I was drawing in the barbed wire I made it too large in relation to the bird so now a touch up is in order. Tomorrow, I will continue to work on the bark of the trunk and will have to redraw the bird slightly larger.
It's probably better that way anyways because it will be easier to add the details on a larger bird.

A few bird paintings waiting in the wings...

I want to get a few bird paintings finished in the next few weeks and decided to start one using suede because I can usually complete them faster than on other surfaces. I have another started of an African crowned crane using pastel on sandpaper and I will be working on that one as well.

I have several other paintings that have been started and need to revisit the easel so I can complete them. I hope to get to all of those before summer sets in as I hardly have time to paint then when most of my time is devoted to field work and collecting reference photographs.

The new bird painting below is of a sparrow on a barbed fence wire.

Wire Haired Jack Russell Terrier Painting in Pastel

This dog portrait is pending client approval but while I wait, I just had to post the finished portrait. I have never seen a Jack Russell with erect ears and so I did not recognize the breed on the client photographs right away . The scruffy appearance of her wiry fur also added to the challenge.

Cassidy is portrayed her in her older years where her facial markings have pretty much faded to the point where they are no longer visible. I am always amazed at how different a dog's coat and markings can appear as they move up in age.

"Cassidy"
Wire Haired Jack Russell Terrier
5"x7"
pastel
Commission

Terrier dog portrait commission

I thought it might be fun (and challenging) to guess this dog's breed. She is purebred but the erect ear is considered a conformation fault by the AKC (the breed standard is for the ears to be folded forward). Nonetheless, this dog has such a sweet expression that I could not resist using this pose for her portrait.

Gray Tree Frog Painting in Pastel

Alas, I was able to finish the frog painting and I feel satisfied enough to call it done! I have to admit that everything about this piece drove me to edge and back...the green color, the fern leaves, the pattern/texture of the frog's skin. It soon became apparent as the painting progressed that it proved more challenging than I expected.

If there's one thing I learned from this painting, it is to not be afraid to challenge yourself and push your limits; you just might be surprised at the results.

"La Vie en Vert"
5"x7"
pastel
Available for Purchase
contact me
 

Frustrated with painting fern leaves

At some point some artists reach their limit and I am very close to having reached mine. I am referring to the fern leaves that are very predominating in this frog painting. After going back and reworking some of them, I think I might go back and change them again....we call that overworking a painting! Problem is, there is a limit as to the amount of layers of pastel the suede can hold  and I may have reached the saturation point.

One thing is certain, I am not giving up as I have invested too much time and effort in this piece... I will force myself to finish this painting and then just move on to the next.

update of Frog Painting in pastel

 I haven't been able to work much on him today but perhaps tomorrow I should be done the adding the details of this frog.
 Most of you will recognize by now that it is a type of tree frog by the presence of the toe pads. They really do stick to anything, and can even climb on a vertical sheet of glass.

Mystery Frog Painting in Pastel update

Progress is rather slow on this painting due to the detail of the fern leaves. Impatience and boredom made me start working on the frog...it is proving rather difficult due to the small scale of the piece (5"x7"). This means lots of sharpening going on to keep those pastel pencils very sharp and to a fine point.

I am certain many of you will be able to identify this common native frog in the next update.

A New Painting of the Amphibious Kind!

You'd think after working five paintings with predominating green foliage that I'd start a piece that would involve a totally different color scheme! Maybe it is a sign that I miss the abundance of green vegetation and can't wait till spring as we've had our share of the white stuff this winter.

This little fella I rescued during a hot scorching day from under a wooden crate in a busy paved parking lot.  I brought him home in a paper cup and before releasing him beside the garden pond in my back yard, I coaxed him to pose for me amongst the lush greenery of the ferns.  He stayed around the home for a month or more, singing his LOUD trill-like call every now and then, day or night. The neighbours were wondering what the heck was making all that noise...

Monarch (chrysalis) butterfly painting in pastel

The last in the series of commissioned butterfly paintings, the following features the pupal stage (or chrysalis) of the Monarch. The name chrysalis is derived from the Greek term ( chrysós), meaning "gold" and aptly describes the delicate metallic-like colouration that is found in the pupae of many butterflies.  You can see the rim of golden colored dots near the top third of the monarch butterfly's chrysalis.

I chose to depict the chrysalis in the later stages of development when the jade green color and gold rim is still visible and when the lower part of the membrane begins to clear, revealing some of the black and orange striped wings inside.

To view more butterfly paintings, visit my gallery.

Chrysalis of Monarch Butterfly and Common Milkweed
pastel
4"x6"
SOLD

Metamorphosis series

 

Monarch Butterfly Painting in Pastel

This lovely monarch is feeding on the sweet nectar of the common milkweed flower. These butterflies are truly amazing to watch as they flutter and putter about in masses around patches of milkweed.  An even more impressive sight is the annual winter migration to wintering sites in Mexico where thousands upon thousands huddle together on trees in huge clusters, in some cases, completely covering the trunks.

For more wildlife paintings, visit my art gallery page.

Adult Monarch on Common Milkweed
(Danaus plexippus) and (Asclepias syriaca)
pastel
4"x6"
SOLD