Cat pet portrait work in progress (pastel painting)

Several months ago, I was asked to create a head and neck portrait of this beautiful cat to be given as an early Christmas present to my client's sister.  Like always, when I work on my commissions, I take progression photos which I send to the client for review and feedback. This not only gives the client an opportunity to provide input but also allows them to view the creation process as the subject slowly but surely comes to life in front of their eyes. On occasion, the client may change their mind about a particular aspect (such as a collar or tag for example) and as long as the work is not so far advanced and impossible to change, I am able to fulfill the request.

So, I thought that it would be nice to share the step by step process of how this kitty came to life on paper. Unfortunately, I had to work rather quickly because of the Christmas rush and so I did not take as many progress shots as I usually do.

This first image is a high resolution scan of the actual completed artwork. I manually adjust for color, tone and value using Photoshop and then add a watermark for id purposes. I try to match the original as close as possible but there is always some slight variation due to individual monitor settings and light conditions.

"Sylvester"

Pastel

4"x6"

SOLD

The following images were taken under my work lamp using my cell phone. I don't scan the art as I'm working on it as this is mostly unnecessary and takes up valuable work time. On occasion, I might scan the art when it is further advanced; for example, if the client needs to compare eye or coat color to the actual subject so that it is portrayed as accurately as possible.

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Art in Camera - Celebrating Ontario Artists | Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Last spring, I was invited by Artists on Elgin to submit artwork for consideration to be part of a six month long exhibit at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario "In Camera" dinning room.  My piece "Contemplation" was accepted along with nine other works from local northern artists. As the exhibit was rolling to an end in December 2018, I was contacted by a private client who expressed interest in purchasing the feline drawing.

What a pleasant surprise when I learned today that the sale was finalized and my artwork has found its forever home!

"Contemplation" has won several awards, namely,  Best of Show and People's Choice at Cavalcade of Colours Show, 1st place Drawing at La Cloche Juried Art Show and The People's Choice Award at the SAC Exhibit. It was also part of my "Drawn to Nature" 2017 solo exhibit at Artists on Elgin. You can view a video of the exhibit on my youtube channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyUPaIl6l-0

"Contemplation"

Black/white cat drawing

Charcoal, graphite and cp

25"x11"

Artists for Conservation Award November 2018 Colette Theriault

So much news...where to start? I guess I should begin with the fact that I'm greatly honored to be the recipient of the Artists for Conservation Foundation's monthly conservation award for November 2018. The AFC's Conservation Artist Award is awarded monthly to honour an AFC member for  their outstanding artistic talent and extraordinary contribution to the conservation cause. At the end of each year, a past recipient of the monthly honour then has the opportunity to be considered for the annual Simon Combes Conservation Award.
Read more here: http://www.artistsforconservation.org/programs/awards/monthly-conservation-artist/2018/colette-theriault 

More news to come in this week's posts so stay tuned! 

Dalmatian custom pet portrait commission (pastel painting)

I was asked to create a memorial portrait of my client's beloved Dexter as a special present for their. daughter.  I am told she had a special bond with him and they would love to surprise her with a professional portrait of him. Dexter had a goofy and lovable personality which prompted the family to get a second Dalmatian; both are very special!

Sometimes, when a dog has passed on, it can be a challenge to find good quality photos to work from. As professional artists, it is our job to render our subjects as accurately as possible so on occasion, we must use additional reference images to guide us with the details. In this instance, the photo that was to be used for the pose was not very good for several reasons. Firstly, the dog was photographed using a flash which leads to the white fur being over exposed and also resulting in glowing eyes. Important detail is lost and the subject looks flat because of lack of shadows. The second issue with the reference photo is that it is not in focus, so again, important detail is lost. Lastly, the photo was taken too far away so one has to crop the image to show only the head/shoulders which increases digital pixelation and further reducing detail. I really prefer suitable photos as it makes my job so much easier but alas, not all is lost, and here's the proof!

The client is very happy with the results of their portrait!

"Dexter"

Dalmatian Portrait

8"x10"

Soft Pastels

Commission (sold)

French Bulldog Memorial Portrait (Pet Commissions)

When I was asked to create a portrait of this sweet little Frenchie named Yoda, I instantly thought that he was much more handsome than the actual "Star Wars" character. Those enormous bat-like ears surely must have been the reasoning behind his name...nonetheless, I love those too!

This portrait was done using soft pastel sticks and pencils on a beige toned archival suede panel. I just love the softness that can be achieved with this support, and how I was able to portray the dog's short velvety coat. The owner was quite pleased with the final result and I will have the pleasure to draw their two gorgeous Savannah cats in the future!

"Yoda"

French Bulldog Portrait

Soft pastels

11x14

Commission

French bulldog (Frenchie) custom pet portrait from photo

I have been working on this dog portrait for a fair bit now and I will soon be adding the backdrop once the feet are done. I love using soft pastels on this velour panel because I can achieve the softness of the fur quite nicely. I hope you will keep on following to see how this little fella turned out!

More work on my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AnimalArtistryPortraits/ and website www.colettetheriault.com

Commissioned Chihuahua dog portrait using pastels

When I was asked to create this portrait to commemorate Brembo the Mexican Chihuahua, it was easy to choose which photo I was to work from.  Although the eyes looked darker and the background was busy, everything else about the pose was simply just perfect!

You can see the progression of this portrait on my FB page Animal Artistry Portraits and I am hoping to create a video as well and post to my YouTube channel in the not too distant future.

 In the meantime, I have many personal projects I want to work on but have been getting a steady stream of clients so the paying work has to come first. I enjoy every bit of it and would not want to be doing anything other than painting and drawing except perhaps spending time playing in the gardens. Summer is so short, we have to take advantage of the warm sunny days when they occur.

Stay warm and don't forget to take some time to smell the roses!

 

 Brembo

Blonde Chihuahua

soft pastels

8x10

Commission (Sold)

Bird Painting by Colette Theriault at Artsist for Conservation Nature in Art Exhibit!!!

I'm SO THRILLED to announce that my work has been chosen to be part of the prestigious Artists for Conservation Nature in Art International exhibit, taking place in Vancouver, BC at the end of August 2018!!!!!
My drawing "Curlicue" which was part of my Drawn to Nature solo exhibit last April will be shipped to BC for the Festival, with a possibility of an international tour (China, USA, Canada)!!!! This is also in conjunction with the International Ornithological Congress...I have 2 special avian artwork pieces that will be part of a giant mural featuring the world's endangered bird species.

 "Curlicue"

charcoal drawing

8"x11"

Available

Golden Retriever pet portrait pastel painting commission

I was asked to create this portrait of a handsome golden retriever named Chester for Father's Day.  I had an older photo of the dog in his younger years, laying on the grass and so the client chose to use that one (along with a few modifications to the chest) for the pose. As the dog aged, his colors intensified and so that too was adjusted on the portrait (the chest was white and his face quite pale) with redder tones.
It was such a joy to render this happy rendition of a most cherished family pet. What a beautiful memory to h ave Chester smiling back at you with his gentle eyes.

For more examples of my work, to order your very own pet portrait or to follow my artistic journey, hop on to my website or FB page.
www.colettetheriault.com    and   https://www.facebook.com/AnimalArtistryPortraits/

"Chester"

8"x10"

pastel painting

Commission

Long haired cat portrait pastel painting commission

I really enjoy drawing or painting fur and this kitty's coat provided hours of enjoyment! This commissioned kept me on my toes...the short fur on the face and muzzle and the long clumps and strands of fluffy wavy fur, some of it going in every which direction, oh, and of course the coat color are what made this project so interesting. 

Another refreshing challenge was having to create a profile pose which is not something clients usually chose since they like to look into their fur-baby's eyes as they gaze back at the viewer. 

The following pose is the third in a series of commissioned portrait by the same client. If you want to view the other portraits of  "Two Face", the tortoiseshell cat, simply jump to the posts here: 

https://petportraitsbycolette.blogspot.ca/2018/02/tortoiseshell-cat-pet-portrait-pastel.html

and

https://petportraitsbycolette.blogspot.ca/2018/02/tortoiseshell-cat-custom-pet-portrait.html

 

"Two Face"

Tortoiseshell cat portrait

pastels

8"x8"

SOLD

Bichon Frise dog portrait (painting) commission

As I was working on this portrait my heart started melting as soon as I was done drawing this dog's expressive eyes. What a darling little face!! I'm so lucky to have the best job in the world!!

It is always my goal to achieve the most accurate likeness and expression of each and every commissioned portrait I create. I'm very happy to say that the clients were "over the moon" when they saw the final piece... despite the fact it also brought tears to their eyes. I was told that Scooby had recently passed on the the rainbow bridge.  I understand fully how loosing a beloved pet is hard to take, loosing my faithful gal only a year ago today. But time heals the wounds and we learn to move on...forever left with their paws on our heart!

Here are a few more steps showing the progress of the soft pastel portrait, with the final image at the bottom.

"Scooby"

Bichon Frisé

8"x10"

soft pastels

commission

Bichon Frise pet portrait progress on the easel

Been busy in the studio working on this dog painting commission of an adorable little Bichon Frise. I thought I'd share some of the work in progress pictures I took with my phone so you can see some of the steps involved. I lightly draw a pencil sketch then I always start with the eyes...yes, the eyes are the windows to the soul and I feel I need to get those just right before I can continue with the rest of the portrait. Sometimes, I go back and tweak a little but there is nothing usually major unless the client points something out.
That is another reason I take progress shots of my work and send to the client. It gives the opportunity to provide feedback and if necessary, little touch ups here and there.
I want every client to be totally in love with their portrait so it is important it is to their liking.
Keep watching to see the rest of the portrait as it progresses to the grand finale in my next post!

Canadian Lynx portrait, painting in pastels by Colette Theriault

I created this painting for my "Drawn to Nature" solo Exhibit at Artists on Elgin which took place the month of April 2017. On opening day, I was stoked to find out a collector had walked in first thing in the morning and purchased this pensive pose of a Canada lynx. What a wonderful surprise to wake up to!
The reference image for this piece was photographed by myself, while on one of the many field excursion trips. I generally take all my own reference images because that way, I'm assured the painting or drawing I create from them will be original.
I hope you like my rendition of one of Canada's most majestic wildlife, one of two of our native wild cats.
Until next time, stay warm!

"Deep in Thought"

Canadian Lynx

pastel painting

SOLD

Winter Black Capped Chickadee Bird Wildlife Painting in Pastels

This little chickadee painting was created last year and was part of my spring solo art show "Drawn to Nature".  The start of the year was a very productive time in the studio as I managed to create 16 new original pieces or art specifically for the exhibit. While this one didn't immediately sell, I was thrilled when contacted recently by a collector who purchased this little treasure.

I'm thinking of featuring this bird artwork on some note-cards which will be for sale in packs of four.

If you missed my exhibit and would like to see it on video, just hop on over to Drawn to Nature video and enjoy!

"Winterlude"

Black Capped Chickadee

pastel painting

5.5"x5.5"

SOLD

Sudbury Women in Arts Book Launch and Exhibit with Colette Theriault

Along with 25 other talented local women, I was recently featured in a book and exhibit about Sudbury women artists. Coincidentally, the opening of the exhibit and book launch took place on March 8th, International Women's Day.

 "The purpose of the book is to raise awareness of the talented and innovative women who create visual art in Sudbury. We believe in recognizing the skill and diversity in our community, and hope to encourage women who are aspiring to create. Showcasing women who have made a significant contribution in visual arts promotes equality in representation, and enhances opportunities for women as creators in the community."

The event was a huge success and the hall was packed so tight people had to wait in line for up to twenty minutes just to get a peek at the display.  Show run dates: March 8-17th, Tue-Sat noon-3 p.m. @ Open Studio, 93 Cedar St. Sudbury.


 The book, created by Johanna Westby and Chantal Abdel-Nour, is a philanthropic project to benefit the community and can be purchased for 25$. Contact me for further details.

Manx short haired tabby cat pet portrait painting

I was asked to create a portrait of this handsome kitty and was so very thrilled when I saw this striking pose. Head held high, eyes full of life, what is not to love about this cat portrait?

Max is a short haired manx (tailess) cat with lovely tabby markings and a white chest. His glowing green eyes are the center of attention and were my favorite part to draw.

I used mostly pastel pencils to create this painting...a touch of NuPastels only for the darkest blacks and whitest whites.

His owner was very pleased at the results of his portrait and I'm hoping Max will like it too. You can follow the progress of my works on a daily basis on my Facebook Animal Artistry page

 

Portrait of "Max" 

5x7

pastel

commission (sold)

Yellow Labrador mix pet portrait pastel painting

Sometimes it is not possible to acquire that perfect pet photo reference that is so important in creating a suitable portrait. Most often it is because the pet has passed and finding good photographs can be almost impossible. However, I can generally use several not-so-good poses to come up with a nice composition that the client will be pleased with. Such was the situation when creating the portrait of lovely "Maggie", the beloved family pet of my client's friend.

In this pose, I had to use the head shot of a different image and "magically" transfer it to the body pose of another photo. It is not always easy because one needs to take into consideration angles, lighting, color and of course, proportions.  Maggie was a well fed pooch and so I strived to capture her true (full) silhouette...

This dog is yellow Labrador most likely mixed with German shepherd.  I wonder what breed she got her white feet from?

Pet Portrait of "Maggie"

14"x18"

pastel

 commission

Diving Polar Bear Drawing Wildlife Artwork

I have quite a bit of catching up to do in terms of art sharing. This is bound to happen when you are the sole proprietor of a business so I get to wear many hats and some things must get pushed to the back burner due to lack of time.

The following diving polar bear portrait was featured during my last solo exhibition "Drawn to Nature" and was quite popular with visitors. He was one of the last piece to be completed during my three month creative blitz and probably my most favorite to work on.

Due to the global warming phenomenon, the disappearing ice floes make it harder for this white bear to successfully hunt and find prey during the diminished hunting season.  Polar bears must stock up and replenish their body stores by consuming adequate amounts of seal blubber; this to sustain them through the rest of the year when they have nothing else to feed on. Sadly, some are unable to do this and end up having to scavenge on garbage, leaving many starving to death. "Pushing The Limits" is meant to draw attention to the shrinking world polar bears are currently facing and raise awareness about the importance and urgency of promoting environmental stewardship.

"Pushing The Limits"

 Diving Polar Bear

10"x15"

pencil drawing

Tortie Cat Drawing Time Lapse Demonstration Progression Art Video

If you have a moment, why not turn up the volume and check out my drawing progression/demo video that I put together. I am repeatedly told that people really enjoy watching how my portraits come to life on paper or canvas so rather than post a dozen or so still photos, I've arranged them in this clip, along with captions and relaxing music!

Follow my channel to get notifications of new videos!

This cat's name is Two Face and she is a long haired tortoiseshell cat  that I was commissioned to draw. Click on the image to start watching....

Tortoiseshell Cat Pet Portrait Pastel Painting Commission

When I was contacted to commission this cat's portrait, I was sent several photographs and asked to choose the best ones. I then created two mock ups so the client could decided on a pose. They loved the two poses so much and so decided to get both done! 

This is the second commissioned artwork featuring the gorgeous "Two Face". You can see her full body pose here in a previous post.


For this piece, I used mainly soft pastel pencils along with a bit of NuPastels (mostly the black as it is one of the deepest blacks that I can find in a pastel). I did  a lot of layering and fine detailing but it was well worth the effort in the end as I am very pleased with the results.  I love this pose so much that it will be featured on my next business cards. 

I am told that Two Face has a rebellious side.. like a naughty teenager! She's quite the colorful character, both in physical appearance and in spirit! Here she is:

'Two Face"

Long haired tortoiseshell cat

Pastel

8"x10" 

Sold

Work in Progress of Tortoiseshell Cat Portrait

A LOT of detailing work goes into each of my portraits. I always tell my clients that the better the reference image, the easier it is for me to reproduce a realistic looking portrait of their pet. However, finding good photos is not always possible and so in those instances I can work with several not-so-good photos and along with client feedback, I have always been able to achieve a pleasing and realistic portrait of their pet. 

Keep in mind however that clear, close up shots taken in natural light make the best reference images. For more information on how to choose or take your pet's photo for a portrait, you can read the following useful article I wrote: Tips for Taking Quality Photographs .

Stay tuned to watch the final progression of this cat pastel portrait in my future post.

 Thanks so very much for following!

Soft pastel cat drawing demonstration tip

As I am working on this pet portrait commission using soft pastels, it is quite normal to get an accumulation of loose dust particles. An easy way to rid of the dust is to gently tap the board on the surface of the work table but using a soft bristle brush removes the stubborn particles trapped in the nap of the velour.

Be careful not to go over the drawn in sections with the brush as it can mute the colors and some detail can be lost.

I have created several videos that show the work in progress of some of my cat, dog and horse portraits. You can view these on my YouTube channel

You can also get updates by following my Animal Artistry FB page

Commissioned Cat drawing in progress

I'm really thrilled at the opportunity to draw not only one but two customs portraits of this delightful long haired tortoiseshell cat!
I love to share my works in progress and I always get good feedback from them by followers and subscribers.
In this stage of the pastel portrait, I'm adding the fur on the side of the face and I find it much easier to rotate the panel to achieve nice flowing strokes. I also rotate my reference photo so that it is easier for my brain to better see the direction of the fur as I am working. I prefer to use an iPad as I can easily zoom in and out and move the screen around my work area.
You can see much of my daily postings on my Animal Artistry FB page  and more work on my website www.colettetheriault.com

Pet Portrait of German Shepherd Police k-9 dog

Last year I was commissioned to draw this commemorative portrait of a retired police GSD. Sadly, I was told that Marco had passed away peacefully in his sleep. His handler wanted something special to remember his partner so we came up with this wonderful composition using several different reference images.

Rest in peace K-9 Marco and thank you for your service in protecting our communities and making them safer.

You can view more work on my website www.colettetheriault.com and follow me on FB

 

Police K-9 Marco

14"x18"

pencil drawing

Sold

Golden Retriever dog Portrait Time Lapse Painting Progression Video

Thought you might enjoy watching how this custom pastel portrait of a golden retriever dog was created.
The portrait was commissioned by a client who wanted to surprise their spouse for all the hard work they do.
You can also view many more of my painting demonstration and progression videos on my YouTube channel and even subscribe for free!

Click here to view more videos on my channel

Tortoiseshell Cat Custom Pet Portrait in pastels

This long haired cat has a beautiful tortoiseshell coat which was very fun to draw. Aptly named "Two-Face", it's easy to see why.
This is one of two portraits I am creating for a client. 

 

"Two Face" 

Long-haired tortoiseshell cat

11x14

pastels

Sold

Baby Raccoon painting available as prints

One of the first paintings to sell during my solo exhibition last April was this adorable little raccoon. I've had so many compliments about him and requests for prints that I decided to make some affordable reproductions available.  A portion of each sale will be donated to Wild at Heart Animal Rescue located in Walden, Ontario.

Please don't hesitate to contact me should you want to purchase a print of  "You Lookin' at Me?"
Print size is 5"x7" and can be framed in a 5x7 frame without mat or in an 8x10 frame with a mat.