Friday, January 28, 2011

Dog Painting Commission

White Shepherd photo

Here's the mock-up reference for my next project on the easel. I'm happy that I will be playing with my pastels again!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Dog in Graphite Workshop

Last night I had the opportunity to give a workshop to members of the local Sudbury Art Club which I belong to. I have to say that I was thrilled and pleasantly surprised to see the room packed to capacity. The fact that I brought my dog Shayli along, (our live furry "model") might of had something do do with it (wink).

I relished observing my students, all so attentive and receptive to what I was saying; ready, willing and eager to learn all they could in this all-but-too-short 2hr session. The room was almost vibing with utmost concentration as everybody worked diligently on each task I put forth before them. It really was such a pleasure to share with them some of the techniques I use to bring my pencil work to "life".

I would like to think that last night's workshop might have stirred in them a renewed interest for the medium that is so often misunderstood or overlooked because of it's simplicity. Gauging from the smiles and expressions on my student's faces as they gaze upon their masterpieces, I think I might just have succeeded.
Photo courtesy Ray Thoms photography

Monday, January 24, 2011

Mallard Duck Painting in Pastel

Here is my finished female mallard painting:

Mallard Duck Painting in pastel

Title: "Take-Off"
Medium: Pastel
Support: Archival suede board
Size: 19" x 9"

And here's a close up of details:
Female mallard painting close up in pastel
read more about this duck painting on my website: www.colettetheriault.com

Friday, January 21, 2011

That beautiful speculum!



In this post I include a close-up of the duck to better visualize the feather detail. I am quite happy that most of the duck is now finished... I could barely wait to add the beautiful iridescent blue turquoise of the speculum! I kept that part for last...a reward of sorts, for all the hard feather work I had to do.
Although it is harder to achieve crisp detail working on the suede as compared to sandpaper, I find painting bird feathers much easier on the former.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Duck feathers


I had to take time off from this painting due to other projects but this is the latest update of the mallard taking flight. You can see that I've started adding the details of the wing feathers. Next session I will complete the mallard's back before progressing to the feathers of the wing tip.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Duck Painting Progress


I made some good progress today and happy how the pastel is working for me on this piece. I'm using a combination of Rembrant's round sticks and Pitt's FaberCastel pastel pencils for the finer details.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Duck and water continued...


It always amazes me how much detail can be present in water. Unfortunately, it is not until you start to paint that you realize how much work it will be! There is so much movement in this scene; the complicated ripples, waves and splashes are what seem to attract me! And then more feathers to top it off!
My challenge word for 2011 is PERSEVERE and that is what I fully intend to do!

On a roll...another bird on the easel


This is the first scan of the work in progress of a duck painting. I'm using pastels on archival suede board. The soft suede support works differently than the sandpaper with much less blending on the suede.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A few more touch ups??


I decided to add the leaves at the bottom as I felt it might frame the subject rather nicely and further enhance the back lighting. However, I'm still contemplating changing the shape of the lighter blurred out leaves to the left of the egret's beak...something doesn't seem right to me there. I'll need to put this painting aside for a bit and back away until it speaks to me that it is finished or that I need to touch it up.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Almost done!


Creating feathers using pastel on sandpaper remains a challenge for me...I'll probably go over the right wing and rework it since I'm not totally satisfied with it. I feel like I am overworking this painting at this stage now and wish it were done!! I can barely add any more layers of pastel on the bird so a light coating of fixative is in order.

Once I'm satisfied with the bird, I still have a bit of greenery to add near the bottom to break the monotony of the background (and add some interest).

Sunday, January 2, 2011

A little more progress...


The progress on this bird painting seems to be much slower in the studio today as I am trying to capture the shadowing and correct coloration on the body. Perhaps due to my body being sluggish after a night of celebrating on New Year's Eve despite still having the remnants of a head cold. All that histamine rushing in my bood kept me awake for most of the night which probably did not help! A few nights' rest and I'll be back to normal.

I still have a bit more defining and touch ups to do to the body and wings before I get to start adding the rest of the beautiful feathery plumes.