Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Black capped chickadee painting in pastel

I am calling this one just about finished, but after a night's sleep, I may find something I want to tweak. You may notice that the bird has changed position slightly as he was sitting rather straight...I simply rotated the paper slightly and I think it looks much better.

Here is the updated version....I reworked the black bib.
Black capped chickadee painting in pastel by avian artist Colette Theriault
Title: "Little Visitor"
Medium: pastel
Size: 6.5" x 4.5"

Today's distraction....

I have been distracted today by taking photographs of the visiting hummers. I have set up quite an impressive station with many hanging baskets of annual flowers and 4 feeding stations, situated right beside my patio door. It is hard to do anything "productive" when the opportunity arises for a photo shoot. I guess my next painting might just be of a humming bird!

Anyhow, I resumed working on the chickadee painting and this is what I accomplished so far:

Step 2 of Chickadee painting by Colette Theriault

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Miniature bird painting on the easel

I started another miniature tonight of a favorite bird; the black capped chickadee. I am trying out a new "suede" paper by Art Spectrum and I prefer it over any other sandpaper I have tried thus far. It has a buttery smooth surface like no other I have seen, yet with still enough tooth to allow for multiple layers of pastel.

chickadee bird painting in progress by Canadian wildlife artist Colette Theriault

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Chocolate Labrador Portrait in Graphite Pencil

After consideration from the client, it was decided that the grass was to be left out. I retouched the eyes slightly, adjusting the pupils and the reflection slightly. I just love her intense gaze and her alert expression.

Chocolate Labrador Portrait in Graphite Pencil by Pet Artist Colette Theriault
Chocolate Labrador Drawing
8"x10"
graphite pencil

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Dog drawing almost done!

I am waiting feedback on the client as to how to complete the surface the dog is laying on. The reference images has the dog laying on grass but the client may want something different.

dog drawing in progress by animal portraitist Colette Theriault

Update on dog in graphite

I plan on finishing this dog portrait today as I have a few more I need to start on in the next weeks...

progress of dog portrait in graphite by animal artist Colette Theriault

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dog Portrait Commission

I am now quite advanced on this portrait and do apologize for not posting the works in progress sooner; I added a few to this post so you can see the progression. I always feel relieved once the drawing passes the "ugly" stage.
The drawing is done using graphite pencils and the eyes have been enhanced with colored pencil (oil type). The paper type I am using is Fabriano archival paper.

commissioned dog portrait work in progress

progression of a dog drawing

initial stages of a dog commission drawing

begining a dog portrait in graphite

Sunday, May 6, 2012

White Tiger Cub Painting in pastel

As promised, I am revealing the finished tiger painting now that the official opening reception of the exhibit has passed...
white tiger cub painting in pastel by Canadian wildlife artist Colette Theriault
"Enthralled"
white tiger cub
14' x 14"
pastel on archival paper