Pet Portrait Gift Certificates for Christmas Present

For those who are looking for a last minute gift for that special someone, it is never too late to order a pet portrait gift certificate. No need to wait for it to arrive in the mail, my gift certificates can be printed at home on your computer in just a few clicks of the mouse and voila! Here is an example of one of my pet portrait certificates:

You can order your gift certificate for an orginal pet portrait in any amount you choose here:

http://www.colettetheriault.com/giftcertificate.php

Happy Holidays to all!

American Bulldog Pencil Portrait in Graphite (enhanced)

While I await client approval, I wanted to share with you this dog portrait's new "look" with the darker background. I really feel this is what was missing to make the dog stand out from the page, whereas before, he seemed to blend too much with the background. You can probably notice on this update the subtle hint of color (used colored pencils) of the eyes, eye patch and muzzle.

"Pearl"~American Bulldog
graphite pencil /charcoal and cp on Fabriano paper
10"x10"

To view the progression of this portrait visit my website at
http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/American_Bulldog_wip.php

Pencil Portrait Step 7: the chest

Well, this is it! The fur has been completed on the neck and chest area. It was amazing to draw those tiny hairs and to follow the direction of the hair growth, especially at the central "cow lick". 

I have decided that the background should be darker still and so off the the easel I go!

Pencil Portrait Step 6: the collar

I have always found it challenging to achieve an accurate representation of a graphite pencil portrait using a scanner (or camera for that matter). For this update I decide to scan the portrait rather than take a digital photo. Although I could have further adjusted this scan for correctness using Photoshop, I much rather wait till the end and spend time drawing . The shinny reflective quality of the pencils is what makes it difficult; one scan can come out one way, while the simple act of repositioning the portrait on the glass will result in a different scan!

Pet Portrait Step 5: the mouth and chin

You can't see the detail very well  on this update but there actually is some hint of pink color on the muzzle, around the right eye and inside the ears. The eyes and marking around the left eye also have some brown tints. I call this type of portrait "enhanced graphite" due to the additional hints of colored pencil application.

Pet Portrait Step 4: the wrinkles and an ear

While it may not seem like the portrait has advanced significantly since my last post, I did put quite a bit of time on what I have done so far. My method consists of indenting fine hairs with my pencil, burnishing, erasing and then applying additional layers of graphite on top of the previous.
I continue (not always in that particular order) until the desired tonal value and level of detail is achieved. This may also require me to go back to previously finished areas to adjust the overall tone of the portrait.

I do find the process more time consuming on a white dog due to the fact that the images I work with are almost always of low contrast and the subtleties in the lighter tones or values are more difficult to adjust.

Pencil Portrait Step 3: the muzzle

In this sitting, I have mainly worked the nose and muzzle area but also started to work the fur on the right side of the dog's face and the wrinkles on the forehead. I will probably complete the top of the dog's head next to prevent smudging as I work my way down. I always use a clean piece of white paper as a hand guard but prefer to work around previously worked areas.

Pencil Portrait Step 2: the eyes and nose

Although I did start working the dog's right ear first, an overwhelming feeling to draw the eyes almost always overcomes me. I feel compelled to finish the eyes first as it gives me a good idea if I was able to capture the character of my subject effectively. They say that the eyes are the window to the soul;only once I am satisfied that the eyes are perfect, can I then move on to work other areas, usually the nose.

Excuse the bad image...graphite never really does scan or photograph very well due to the reflective nature of the medium. I'll try to do better on the next update.



Pencil Portrait Step 1: Background

Last night, I began the preparatory work for my next dog commission. This included creating a mock  image using Photoshop, printing out a life size b/w copy and selecting the paper (in this case, I chose Fabriano Artistico paper). Since my subject is mainly white, I decided to start with the darker background and then apply a workable fixative to prevent smudging on the white areas. Before spraying, I masked the dog using the paper cutout from my b/w copy to avoid getting the fixative on the virgin areas. Through experience, I have found that fixative will change the attribute of the paper, hence  affecting the appearance of additional layers of graphite.

The paper cutout was also useful for masking when I worked the background.

Change of pace

It seems my eagle portrait will have to take the back seat for a while due to an unexpected commission; probably just as well because I was getting very frustrated with it today and it almost was shredded and dumped in the garbage bin.

On a brighter note, I added the finishing touches and scanned the Appaloosa portrait since it was approved by the client. I share with you the final version of the horse in pastel.

"Bally"~Appaloosa Horse Portrait
pastel on suede
18"x14"

To view the progression of this painting please visit my website here:

http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/Appaloosa_wip.php

In my next post will feature the beginings of another dog portrait; this time using graphite pencils enhanced with color. I love the pose the client chose and I sense it will be a reall "winner" portrait due to her cute looks! Stay tunned!!

More Bird Feathers

Painting realistic bird feathers can be challenging at best and working with pastels is no exception.  I, for one, have come to realize that I have grown to dislike painting feathers, especially more so after working this piece to death!   I consider this another exercise; one that has forced me to practice something I dislike and truly frustrates me. I hope this bird painting does not find it's way in my "behind the door" pile...

More on the eagle painting...

I have not been able to work on this piece for a few days but it did feel nice to hop in the seat at the easel again. Although it does not look like I have achieved much work on the bird, there is a significant amount of time spent blending and shaping the pastel on the paper; something that simply cannot be rushed.

 I hope you enjoy following my updates as much as I enjoy sharing them with you!

Another bird painting on the easel

For my next project, I thought it would be exciting to create a nontraditional composition of a familiar birds' cropped face, close-up.
Many of you might recognize this national iconic bird already, with only just the eye showing. Once again, I am using a variety of pastel pencils on archival sanded paper.

Black Capped Chickadee Painting

For this composition, I used two of my reference photographs and rearranged/re sized the birds and tree branch/trunk until I reached a desirable composition. I originally had come up with 4 different poses but finally decided on this particular one since the position of the birds and tree recreated the most pleasing and balanced arrangement.

I am delighted to have been able to complete this painting in a relatively short time!

"Two's Company" ~ Black Capped Chickadees
pastel on archival sanded paper
14" x 11"

To view the progression of this painting, visit my website here:
http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/Chickadees_wip.php

Today's update on the chickadee painting

I have worked more of the birch bark on this step and slowly working my way to the right and downwards to prevent smudging the pastel. Accidental smudging is much more of an issue when working pastels on sandpaper as opposed to using suede or velour. But then, one can easily blend the pastel on the sandpaper; virtually impossible on the flock type surface of the velour and suede.

Chickadee painting step 4

As an animal artist who paints mainly fur, I have to admit that I am finding that recreating the birch bark on this scene is a refreshing change. I can't say that it is easy to follow the intricacies of the bark on the reference and then reproduce them on paper...it's probably because I am not used to drawing trees. So forcing myself to do so is a great exercise (which is what I consider this painting to be).

Step 3 of Chickadee bird painting

I am not quite finished the second bird on this update as I decided to add some of the background color of the birch trunk to help me evaluate my values. I am looking forward to start working on the birch bark detail  and hope it won't present too much of a challenge but I am ready for it!

Step 2 of Chickadee bird painting

With the background now complete, I have begun to add the details of  one of the main subjects. Being right handed, it makes sense to work the bird on the branch on the left hand side first, to avoid smudging the painting as I work my way across.

Working backgrounds with pastels

I am happy to share that the horse portrait is now complete and waiting client approval! I will share the final scan of the work once I am sure that no other touch ups are needed, I promise!

Feeling a sense of relief, and wanting to indulge in my own creativity, I am now working on a wildlife bird scene of two black-capped chickadees. Since I received my order from Blick today, why not try my new Rembrandt's on the Colorfix Plein Air Painting Board?

After printing and cutting the outline of my subjects, I worked the background first, spreading the pastel with my fingers (I use finger cots now!) all the while using the cut-out paper as a guide and a mask. This is an easy and fast way to work backgrounds while keeping the area that needs to be free of color still virgin. I have included the two images below to illustrate my point.



-completed background with cut-out (grey-scale)

-background completed with cut-out removed leaving clean area with crisp edges

Revisiting the Horse Portrait

I was fortunate to have had the chance to put this portrait aside in order to work on Christmas orders. I have a very patient client and am so thankful for her understanding! Since I am caught up somewhat on my work, I have decided that, since there is so little work (relatively speaking!) left to do to on this portrait, it deserves to be finished.  And so, here is the latest update I have so far. Let's hope on the next update the shoulder area will be filled in and the customer will have approved her painting!

Tri-colored Shetland Sheepdog Painting in Pastel

In today's sitting I manged to sit long enough to complete the sheltie portrait. I still need to scan a high resolution copy for my files, as well as spray a light layer of fixative. I usually fix the pastel if it needs to be shipped out and, especially if there are muptiple layers of color. I find that white tends to be the worst pastel for dusting off.

"Cody" ~ Tri-colored Shetland Sheepdog Portrait
pastel on velour
11" x 14"

To view the progression of this portrait please visit my website here:

http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/Sheltie_wip.php

That Sheltie tongue!

I never thought that a dog's tongue could be so difficult to portray...the intricate groves and subtle tones and highlights along with the many different positions (it is a complex muscle!) means one has to really study it (and practice) in order to paint it realistically! It did not help that my reference photo had the muzzle (including the tongue and teeth) out of focus which made it that much more difficult.

Update on Sheltie portrait

I love drawing the markings, colors and fluffy long fur of shelties; their good looks make them handsome subjects for portraits.  This one is referred to as a tri-colored Shetland sheepdog because of his black, sable and white coat (white chest not yet visible).

On the next stage, I hope to have the mouth completed.

Gone to the dogs!

As my blogger and artist friend, Gary Keimig commented on one of my previous posts, it seems I have gone to the dogs. With yet another canine commission on the easel, I am busy getting portraits to their owners just in time for the Holidays. I share with you a few snap shots of the preliminary sketch and of the beginning of my next pastel k9 portrait.

Two sleeping buddies

Yesterday I was able to complete the portrait of the two dogs resting on the sofa. I have included a close up to show the details of their cute faces.

Pastel on suede

18" x 14"

Dogs in pastel continued...

Here's a bit more that I completed on today's sitting. It won't be long until I start to work the detail of the sofa.

Dog portrait progress

I am so excited to have started working on the second dog! While the coat color is different than the lab, it does provides me with the opportunity to apply a different technique to recreate the fur thus avoiding monotony.
 The texture and pattern on the sofa will probably be the most challenging aspect of this piece so I reserve that for last. I have included the reference photo so that you can see the transformation of the "flash eye" effect that ruins so many pet photos. I did use a few other reference photos of the dog that were taken outside in natural light (showing much better eye detail) to help me capture the likeness of his eyes.

One more update...

I am pleased to say that I managed to sit long enough today to complete the first dog on this portrait. I have had many distractions lately and find it difficult to concentrate long enough to get a significant amount of drawing done. With tonight being Halloween, I figure I'd try to get most of the work done during the day. Let's hope I can get this one completed by the end of the week.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Dog portrait continued...

Here's another update of the current commission on my easel. I am hoping to complete the rest of the fur on the golden mixbreed today.

The start of a new dog portrait

After some time away from the blog world, I now have some free time to post an update of my next commission; this time of two lovely mix breed dogs resting on their favorite spot aka the family sofa.
For this piece, I am using mainly Rembrandt's pastels along with various brands of pastel pencils on grey colored suede board. You can see the mottling effect (all of which will disappear since the whole painting will be covered in pastel) of the suede on the image below.

American Eskimo (Miniature) Dog Montage Portrait in Pastel

The following dog portrait commission was done using soft pastels on sand colored Hahnemule velour board.

"Sadie"

18"x14"

pastel

Today's studio work

Seems the rainy weather is keeping me inside again today which turns out to be a good thing. This means I am not tempted to leave the studio and avoid what needs to be done! The distractions of working at home can become too great at times and it takes much discipline to keep on track.  With that said, here is where the American Eskimo montage portrait is at. I am almost done the central pose with only a few more touch ups to do then I move to the last smaller pose.

Step 3 of Dog Montage Portrait

In this sitting, I completed the third pose of the puppy running in the grass. The original reference image was rather small and blurry so it did present it's challenges. Nonetheless, I feel the lack of sharpness on the drawing accentuates the feel of movement as the dog hops along the ground.



The next step I will begin to work on the larger, main pose of the Miniature American Eskimo.





Dog Montage Portrait update

Today, I managed to complete two of the smaller poses. Most likely, I will start on the bottom left one next, before I begin the larger, main central pose. You might notice that one eye is missing on the top left pose. Unfortunately, Sadie lost an eye in her golden years but she is just as beautiful!

Portrait of Dog Montage Stage 1

This commission  of a miniature American Eskimo will feature a main central pose surrounded by 4 smaller poses of the dog depicting special moments in her life.  I will be posting the progress of this portrait on my blog and website so please do come back and visit!

German Short Haired Pointer Portrait in Pastel

Portrait of "Kaiser"~German Short Haired Pointer

Pastel on fine sandpaper

10"x8"

To view the work in progress of this portrait please visit:

http://www.colettetheriault.com/descriptions/workinprogess/Pointerwip.php

More progress on dog portait

I am hoping to have this commission completed before the end of this week as I have reached the homestretch phase of the portrait. This is always the most exciting time for me when everything comes together and the dog suddenly seems to spring to life on the paper.

Dog breed hints: German/hunting

Next Dog Commission

I have paused working on the horse portrait as I wait word from the client in regards to the background. In the mean time, I thought I'd share a few work in progress steps of one of my Christmas commissions. I've decided to use black sandpaper as a support for the pastel since the dog is mainly black. I love working light over dark and jump at the opportunity to do so.

Any guesses as to the breed? It is not a Lab.