Friday, January 27, 2012

WIP #9 of wolf painting...more pine needles!

I decided to leave the "paw" alone for a while. It was determined upon further examination of my various references that the wolf's leg is all we would see with the painting cropped the way it is...so no more worries about that paw!

 From my last update, you can see that I continued the pine needles to the left of the painting. I also added an evergreen seedling on the vertical edge of the painting for added interest.  I still have a bit of detail to add to the white area of body fur near the seedling, and of course, I have to finish that foreleg!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

WIP #8 of wolf painting...a bit of greenery

After putting much thought into how I was going to draw the foreground,  I decided that a blanket of pine needles interspersed with some vegetation would suffice. I did not like the lawn type grass that was on the original reference photo because it reminded me of the captive situation of the wolf in question.

 I'm not quite sure how I am going to handle the wolf's paw yet. I want to draw the whole paw as opposed to it being partially hidden by vegetation (like on my reference)... but that would mean I have to sift through hundreds of photos to find a suitable reference which I may not find!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

WIP #7 of wolf painting

After spending a whole afternoon doing website updates on my main site (and other time consuming shores around the house), I am now back in the studio, at least for the remainder of this day.

 In this step of the wolf portrait, I've added more of the body fur to the left and also added more detail to the short fur on top of the wolf's head. You might have noticed that the shape of the muzzle is slightly distorted at the tip but this is only temporary, as you will soon find out.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

WIP #6 of wolf painting

In this step, now that the other ear has been added, the subject is beginning to look more like the wolf  it should be. I like to pass that stage of a painting as it gives me a visual overview which makes it easier for me to determine if the subject is turning out like I want it to.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

WIP #5 of wolf painting

Well, I did set out to do what I intended for today and that was to complete the wolf's left ear. During the next sitting, I plan on continuing laying down the fur of the cheek and then starting the other ear.

WIP #4 of wolf painting

In today's sitting, I decided to finish the upper part of the painting. I think I should best work the ears next and then continue to add the layers to the fur on top of  the head. In this manner, I will avoid working over top of already finished areas.
The image below represents the approximate dimensions of what will be the finished piece.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

WIP #3 of wolf painting

Ah, what a good day I've had in the studio! I feel like I could go on all night but think it's best I take a break and rest my eyes and back! It feels good working on something that I can't put down...I just hope it lasts....

WIP #2 of wolf painting

This afternoon, I've been really hacking away at laying down the fur, making sure to follow the direction of the hair growth. Of course, this is just the base coat and many more layers are to be added!

New Wildlife Painting on the Easel

Now that I have all my current commissions done, I can concentrate on working on some pieces for my upcoming show in May 2012. I want to have a few more new paintings to hang, and decided to tackle the larger pieces first.

The sleeping wolf I am portraying is one I had the pleasure to meet and photograph last August at a wildlife sanctuary in Maine. I am using pastels on light gray suede board.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Pug Portrait Painting in Pastel

While it is not often that I can complete a portrait in one day and be satisfied with it, I am hoping that the client approves this one so that I can move on to my next project of another "furry" nature....details to come soon!
Pug Portrait Painting in Pastel by Animal and Pet Artist Colette Theriault
"Mic" ~pug
pastel on suede
7" x 5"

New dog portrait

I started this pug portrait today and unfortunately, all I have to work with are either blurry photos, photos that have bad eye glare from the camera flash or photos that are too small to work with. It seems to be coming along rather well though and I hope the client approves what I have done so far.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Commemorative Artwork (Drawing) of US Army k-9 Police Handler and his Military Working Dog

It has been a while since my last post and some of you might have been wondering what was on my easel? I started this commission last April and although I was given over a year to complete it, I felt it's completion was long overdue.
The drawing features Military K-9 Police handler Sgt Chris Lalonde and his dog U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Fasco. The pair participated in a historic tandem jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at an altitude of 12,500 feet, Sept. 18, 2009. The jump took place at the Gammon Parade Field on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. during Military Police Warfighter Week.
 Artwork Drawing of Military Police k-9 Handler and US Army Sgt Major Fasco portrait in pencil
Sgt Chris Lalonde & Sgt Major Fasco
Pencil Drawing
11" x 14"