Wednesday, March 27, 2013

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 Bird Painting in pastel by Canadian Wildlife Artist Colette Theriault
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.

Song Sparrow Bird Painting in Pastel by Colette Theriault Canadian Animal Artist

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

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!

Sparrow bird on a wire painting by Colette Theriault


Sparrow bird painting in pastel by Wildlife artist Colette Theriault, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada


Monday, March 25, 2013

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.

Progression

Progress of bird on a wire painting

There was quite a bit of blending and layering happening in the background this afternoon. I wanted to achieve a glowing effect using warm colors so that the brown sparrow would stand out against the lighter backdrop.

 I have not added the fencepost wire at this stage and so the bird looks like it is floating but that will change in the next update.

Progress of bird painting on the easel by Colette Theriault
 
I am using pastel on light sage colored suede for this piece.
 

Sunday, March 24, 2013

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.

bird painting update by wildlife artist Colette Theriault

Friday, March 22, 2013

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.

Wire Haired Jack Russell Terrier Portrait painting in pastel by Colette Theriault
"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.
Terrier Dog Portrait Commission Painting by Animal Portraitist Colette Theriault

update of Terrier Dog Portrait Commission Painting by Animal Portraitist Colette Theriault

Thursday, March 21, 2013

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.

Gray Tree Frog Painting in pastel by North American Wildlife Artist Colette Theriault
"La Vie en Vert"
5"x7"
pastel
Available for Purchase
contact me
 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

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.

Frog and ferns Painting in progress by wildlife artist Colette Theriault

Monday, March 18, 2013

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.

frog painting in pastel by Ontario wildlife artist Colette Theriault

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Painting update of the little frog

Little by little the frog in this painting is becoming more apparent amongst the green foliage of the ferns. The cryptic coloration is essential if the frog wants to avoid becoming a hungry predator's next meal! This frog also has the stunning ability to change skin color and pattern to better blend in with his surroundings.

Update of Frog painting of North American Wildlife by Colette Theriault

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

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.
Frog Painting in pastel on the easel by Animal Artist Colette Theriault

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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...


Amphibian Painting in pastel by wildlife artist Colette Theriault

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.
Pastel Painting of Monarch Butterfly Chrysalis Stage on Common Milkweed Plant by Colette Theriault
Chrysalis of Monarch Butterfly and Common Milkweed
pastel
4"x6"
SOLD

Monarch Butterfly Development and Common Milkweed painting series by Colette Theriault
Metamorphosis series
 

Friday, March 8, 2013

Progress of the chrysalis painting

Last but not least in the series of butterfly paintings features the chrysalis stage of the Monarch. Safely nestled amongst the common milkweed leaves, the chrysalis is anchored on the midrib (central or principle vein) on the underside of a single leaf.

Progress of Monarch chrysalis painting in pastel by Canadian Artist Colette Theriault

Thursday, March 7, 2013

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.

Monarch Butterfly Painting in Pastel by Award Winning Animal Artist Colette Theriault
Adult Monarch on Common Milkweed
(Danaus plexippus) and (Asclepias syriaca)
pastel
4"x6"
SOLD

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Painting update of the little winged jewel!

Although I was not able to continue working on my painting today, I thought I should share what I completed last night. The lower border of the wings are edged in black and riddled in several rows of white dots which will require my utmost concentration in order to follow the pattern correctly.

Thanks for following and I watch for the finished painting in my next update!

Progress of monarch butterfly painting in progress by Colette Theriault

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Butterfly painting in progress

I don't usually relish the task of recreating backgrounds that much but I thoroughly enjoyed painting this one....minus the flower cluster!! I guess it is coming along but I will remember to stay away from tiny intricate flowers when working small scale!

Below is the progress of the 4th butterfly painting in the series and features the adult stage of the Monarch butterfly enjoying a sip of nectar from the flowers of the common milkweed plant. Once I am satisfied and done with the look of the flowers I get to paint the bold colors of the monarch!

monarch butterfly painting in progress by Colette Theriault