How to paint wildlife in pastels with Janet Thatcher I Colour In Your Life

In this art TV show episode Janet Thatcher is interviewed with Colour In Your Life about painting, drawing, pastels, art workshops and art techniques.
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Fine Art TV Series - Colour In Your Life
Season - 11
Episode - 06
Filmed on Location at - Canberra, Australia
Materials used in this episode:
Hahnemuhle velour paper
Gioconda pastel pencils (majority)
Caran d’Ache pastels pencils
Conte pastel pencils
Stabilo Carbothello pastel pencils
Faber Castell soft pastels.
Mobius and Ruppert sharpener.
Born in Canberra in 1981, Janet grew up in a family of artists. Her grandparents were artists, Her mother is and her brother and sister are. Janet’s mother believed that being able to draw meant they would never be bored or lonely. She would place a box of Derwent pencils on the table to tempt them. When they would ask, their mother would say only if we could use them properly as they were very special. Too special for just any old drawing. Of course they would swear they needed them for something special. Still to this day Janet loves opening a box of new Derwent pencils.
Janet admits that the driving force behind her drawing at an early age was to compete with her sister. Janet’s sister was seven years her senior and she disliked very much any extra attention she received (as most five year olds do). So on one particular day when Janet’s mother praised her sisters picture more than her own, Janet made a decision to be better. Janet was very young but extremely head strong.
When Janet reached high school she was encouraged to continue. Janet’s teachers felt she had potential. Janet carried on drawing when she could and begged her poor mother to drive her to Mogo Zoo on the south coast, just over two hours away. There they would sit for hours while Janet sketched. Sometimes only coming up with a picture of an eye or nose. They did make many friends this way though.
Janet has had no formal training in art and has been working on her craft for many years. It is something that brings joy to Janet and the clients she shares her skills with. To Janet that in itself is success in her eyes.
You can contact the artist about their art or art techniques directly via the website aarwungallery.com/janet-thatcher/
The Colour In Your Life TV series is an art show that takes you into the everyday studios of artists from around the world. While in the studio they share their individual techniques with the viewer in a relaxed atmosphere with a delightfully Australian host and fellow artist Graeme Stevenson. The series is currently filmed in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
Colour In Your Life is an Australian produced TV art show and website www.colourinyourlife.com.au
Graeme Stevenson, a world renowned Artist himself, rides his Harley Davidson to the studios of Artists all over the world and allows the viewers a chance to go into the Art studios of some of the greatest Artists in the world.
A wonderfully engaging show that allows people to see inside the minds and the abilities of some of the most creative people in the world. If you love creativity and the shear joy of looking at the world through Art, then Colour In Your Life is the place too be.
Subscribe here - bit.ly/ColourInYourLife

[@Alfred899CE]

What a fabulous insight. Thank you both for taking the time and sharing 👍

[@kathyparker9402]

Stunning!!!

[@flickaJay]

Glad for the info on the velour paper.

[@MsHopeify]

Beautiful! Love the lesson. So well taught, with such perfection. Thank You!

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thanks for watching.

[@anitakhan9182]

Amazing talent! Beautiful personality! I love Janet’s hair, mash’Allah! Can’t thank you enough, Graeme, for exposing us to such great learning experiences. God bless you!

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you :)

[@andreabatten9124]

Amazing Art. Thank you for sharing ☺

[@lucygray6162]

What an incredibly gifted young woman, and so centered regarding her subjects.

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thanks Lucy!

[@rockon3602]

very very talented artist Janet, i Thank u for sharing with us , extraordinary pastel paintings. And Graeme u r the MAN....................... Thank u .

[@janetthatcher3441]

+farhad mahmood It was my pleasure. Thanks for watching.

[@Blissfulthings]

Beautiful work Janet..it was very relaxing to watch you paint...thankyou very much!

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Blissfulthings Thank you for watching.

[@MrSnipper805]

WOW just WOW

[@linzertube]

Wonderful realistic works. A craft perfected!

[@janetthatcher3441]

+linzertube Thank you!

[@michaelparry1383]

Janet, great job. I appreciate what I was able to see of your work. Your work is so detailed and exact. It must be so hard to keep your work clean.Graeme, this morning (9-28-15 ) I shared your link to this video with our Lachri Group for Artists created by Lachri Fine Arts. I have already have had many 'likes' and good comment reports from those who have viewed. Thank you for this and all you do.

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Michael Parry Thank you. My work generally stays perfectly clean. I, however usually walk away a little more colourful!

[@michaelparry1383]

Janet, There were many likes and these are some of the comments - Thanks again for the video. Tina Van Eick thanks! Gabrielle S. Sep 29, 2015 wow! that was really cool to watch! Thanks for showing us! Chalk pastel is one of my favorite mediums to work with. Artefects23 Oct 1, 2015 What a great video! I do lots of work in pastel and this was really helpful to see some other techniques by another artist. She's brilliant. Thanks +Michael Parry !

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Michael Parry Thank you for sharing those. Its always lovely to hear feedback.

[@7878385]

Janet your work is so beautiful... God Bless You...

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you Brenda.

[@Jasmammy]

Great works! Thank you,Graeme,thank you,Janet!

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Anna Holodova Thanks Anna, Graeme

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Anna Holodova Thank you.

[@amandasherwood8520]

Brilliant JanetYou've made me want to try pastels I so wished I lived in Australia so I could come to your workshop. Graeme I wish we had someone like you here in Britain all of your programs are so inspirational.

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Amanda Sherwood Thank you. Graeme and the team are pretty awesome and it certainly has been an amazing opportunity!

[@wendymcclatchey1651]

wonderfull artist. thank you Janet just a lovely lady x

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Wendy McC Thank you.

[@ajlomas7185]

Hi Graeme, hope you're keeping well. A HUGE THANKYOU for these amazing videos you keep bringing us, they're so calming and relaxing, i enjoy nothing more than watching an artist start a picture from start to finish, it's such a fascinating process. It's shame these great videos are not available as a compilation dvd. Janet produces such brilliant work and the fact that she is self-taught is even more amazing!! So many great artists out there who are self-taught, just pure genius. I really enjoyed this video as I also have a love for the big cats. Once again, thankyou Graeme for another fascinating glimpse into these talented artist's working process. I wish you continued success, good health and lots of love and best wishes to you.😊👍👌

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

Thanks for your wonderful comments. They are greatly appreciated. We have worked incredibly hard over the last eight years to bring these people to the world. Please pass the word onto others about what we do. Thanks again, Graeme

[@ajlomas7185]

@@ColourinyourlifeAu You're welcome, and thankyou for replying back, I enjoy your videos emensley, so much talent out there, but the interesting kind, I've no time for reality/ talent shows, but these brilliant people that you interview....I could watch all day long, they're so inspiring and yet despite their gift/ talent, are so down to earth, no airs or graces about them, and it's obvious that they love what they do, just amazing.

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

@@ajlomas7185 great to know you are such a dedicated fan. Send me your first name so I know who I can send my messages to in the future. Thank you again, Graeme

[@janetthatcher3441]

Wow, thank you for such a kind, thought out response! Knowing that others gain so much from watching has meant a great deal to me. Colour in Your life/Graeme and the team really are creating something special. All the best to you too.

[@lindalopez5951]

Oh my........amazing!

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you!

[@rutharcher5082]

Fabulous, Janet - you are sooooo talented! I wish you would use some of my reference photos, I'd be thrilled to see you work your magic with them

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Ruth Archer Thank you Ruth!

[@NightOwl11]

Beautiful work! 💗

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Cynthia Snider Thank you.

[@mariamaragonesjust2150]

Me encanta!!alucinante!!me encantaria pintar a mi gato ,estas tecnicas son ideales,muchas GRACIAS!!Australia esta muy lejos!!cuando vaya te are una visita!!😍

[@JenniferRefinnArt]

Love it!

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Jennifer Refinn Art sorry for the late reply but I have been in America filming for the last month and a half, thanks again and I hope you are well, Graeme

[@mariakellner2221]

Beautiful work such fine details,another artist that has now passed,his mantra was whatever one paints get to know the subject,feel if you can,you represent that with your work.

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Maria Kellner Thank you for sharing that :)

[@wendysimm7615]

Beautiful work inspiring!

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

Thanks for your comments, they are greatly appreciated, Graeme

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you!

[@hermionejarvis648]

Fantastic! Wow, I loved every moment watching her, Janet is a phenomenal artist, truly admired! I'm going to have to try Pastels now, did she say what brand she uses? Great episode!

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Hermione Jarvis Thank you.

[@rebeccagibbs4128]

i never knew how much i needed this in my life.

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

wonderful Rebecca, welcome to our world of love and creativity , Graeme

[@DianaSobrado]

Impresionante!!!! Great!!!

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Diana Sobrado Thanks Diana, Graeme

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you.

[@royaroshanaei2086]

wow! very nice

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you.

[@ArtyUnz]

I just checked out Janet's website and to my surprise she has used one of my photos of an Arabian horse's eye for one of her pastels! Great to see how she creates her lovely artworks and always good to see pastels in the spotlight (as they should be)!

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Mrs G-P Thanks for being so understanding about Janet using your image. I would like to think it is an admonition of how talented you are as well, Graeme

[@ArtyUnz]

+Graeme Stevenson (Colour in Your Life) It's not a problem, as I do allow Fine Art artists the use of my images but the condition of use is they must credit me (even if the photo is from a copyright-free artists reference website or Facebook page). I do find it humbling and a thrill when artists choose my photos to work from! Thank you Graeme. :)

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Mrs G-P which image was it Mrs G and I will get Janet to put a mention on her web site about it. She is a very talented Artist and I hope did justice to your original piece, Graeme

[@shereentimmerman4164]

+Mrs G-P , may I ask the name of the site? As a glass enamel artist I'm always looking for copyright free images, I always give the talented photographer a nod when I post my work.

[@ArtyUnz]

+Shereen Timmerman I have removed all my photos from that site but please feel free to check out my Facebook page and/or website. Thanks! :)

[@patriciacrowther3771]

Many thanks for showing Janet's work... did she free hand draw the tigers head, or does she have other ways of dimensional drawing? Just brilliant... thank you Janet.

[@janetthatcher3441]

+Patricia Crowther Thank you. I use a variety of techniques to draw the outline. Some of it is free hand, some is measuring and so on.

[@lisvandergeer]

Gorgous work! Where can I buy this special velourspaper? Iblive in the Netherlands.

[@carolmaestas7656]

Thank you Janet for sharing. Your work is stunning. I am inspired to take out my pastels today. I am in America. Is that paper the BFK paper? I hope to visit Australia some day.

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Carol Maestas Hi Carol, we will be heading to the states in December to begin filming U.S Artists very exciting times ahead, Graeme

[@RoySimmons]

Hi Graeme, (and Janet)! As owner of the photo sharing website where Janet has obtained some reference images, I can assure you there is no obligation on the artist to credit the photographer, in this instance there seems to have been some confusion I have contacted the photographer to clarify this. Janet's work is amazing and she has many friends on pmp-art.com. Love your shows Graeme, you are a top bloke!

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

Wow thank you so much Roy. We are just trying to bring the best Artists to light across the world and I well realize as a practicing Artist myself of the last 35 years, that is hard at the best of times to get good material without being hunted down by people. I well realize that each creator has the right to protect their work, very important, but I'm sure Janet had no Malice at all in her use of the images. Thanks for your understanding Roy. If you can send us some more information on your site we will make it know to our fol;ks in our system, Hope all is well, Graeme

[@RoySimmons]

+Graeme Stevenson (Colour in Your Life) See, I knew you were a top bloke ;) ! We are just tipping over 30,000 members on pmp-art.com many thousands of reference images. It is all totally free, we do have great members who donate the price of a coffee monthly to help. Please, if you or one of your team would like to join we have an easy facility to share YT videos, or I can do that on my profile. I will also be happy to link to your main site, love what you are doing and it's great to connect. Once on pmp we can easily communicate there also should you wish via the 'private note' facility. All is indeed well, thanks! Roy.

[@shajidmalik9668]

Roy Simmons

[@anitakhan9182]

Mr. Roy Simmons, I would be grateful for one little clarification; you have made it clear that crediting the photographer isn’t obligatory, but is it necessary to credit pmp-art.com? Also, if an artist just paints an image from your site and puts the painting on sale in an art gallery or on line, how are they supposed to give credit to the site? Thank you.

[@RoySimmons]

@@anitakhan9182 hi Anita, there is no obligation to credit pmp-art.com , pmp was created by artists for artists. Full terms on the site.

[@neenabidikar]

Fabulous, could get what paper is used

[@janetthatcher3441]

Hahnemuhle velour paper :)

[@rpessica]

I can't get the name of the paper that she uses. Can you tell me?

[@Kyomiibrown]

Could you please be so kind enough to tell me what brand of velour you use? I notice the backing seems like card. Vic Bearcroft/Hanemuhle isn't carded the same, it's more a "paper" like. Thank you. 🙂

[@janetthatcher3441]

Hi! Can I suggest you jump over to my website and contact me there. :) ligerwolvedesigns.com

[@nettymolloy5220]

Hi Janet. Absolutely stunning paintings you do. I would love to try the special velour paper you are using. I have looked on the net to buy it in Australia/ Victoria but to no avail. Please can you tell me where I can purchase it. Warm regards. Netty (Janette)

[@ColourinyourlifeAu]

+Netty Molloy Thanks Netty, please tell your friends, the more folks we have looking at the shows the more we can continue to do this, hope all is well, Graeme

[@manjiabanti]

love her art..will try..but not clear about what paper she is using

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you.

[@shereentimmerman4164]

I'm starting to buy my supplies and I'd love to know what brand of pencils she uses if anyone know.

[@janetthatcher3441]

Hi Shereen. I use a variety of pencils some of which are mentioned in the video above.

[@jalayneatkins8565]

You take art far beyond "good". Some of the pictures shown were hard to tell if they were the photo or yours. I'm wondering if you do the initial drawings freehand or trace them somehow ?

[@janetthatcher3441]

Thank you. Its a rather complicated process these days but to make it brief, its a freehand drawing, that is measured carefully. Nothing worse than getting the proportions wrong!

[@omarmason9642]

Dont know if anyone cares but if you're stoned like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all of the latest series on Instaflixxer. Been streaming with my gf for the last couple of weeks :)

[@benedictskyler3196]

@Omar Mason Yup, have been using instaflixxer for months myself :)

[@user-kk3xl7ge6n]

Velour Pastel Paper

[@shereentimmerman4164]

+Александр Платунов , is that the name of the paper she uses? Is it glued on a board?

[@user-kk3xl7ge6n]

www.vicbearcroft.co.uk/velour-paper.html

[@shereentimmerman4164]

Thank you!!

[@jekaterinanemeth3052]

🎉🎉🎉💫🔥🤩🤗🍀🌞👌🌟🌹💐🌺💙💛

[@priyangshipaul]

good to see a younger lady...i thought young generation has left interest in art...the show covers mostly fat old ladies ..hardly young men are seen paiting

[@gregdahlen4375]

most animals' eyes are more vacuous than those here, oh well, artistic license?

[@NicsStuffmedia]

Dude if you really think that, you have no understanding of animals at all. One might think you have a superiority complex happening there...

[@gregdahlen4375]

NicsStuffmedia well, I definitely think we're superior to animals, if that's the question. But anyway, take a look at these photos of tigers, see if you agree that their eyes don't convey as much thought or emotion as her pastels....www.google.com/search?q=tigers+photos&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=973&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhwfjHysjNAhVQ6GMKHc7SDngQ_AUIBigB

[@flickaJay]

Too long and too much of him talking.