Chickadee on a Berry Branch Original Pastel Painting

This is an original contemporary pastel painting, measuring 10x12 inches, executed on high-quality Clairefontaine Pastelmat. The artwork depicts a black-capped chickadee perched upside down on a vertical brown branch laden with bright yellow berries. The bird is rendered with fine detail, showcasing realistic texture in its white underbelly, black cap and throat, and grey-toned wings. The background is a soft, out-of-focus blend of olive green and muted ochre tones, creating a professional bokeh effect that makes the subject pop. The artist's signature and the date '2022' are clearly visible in the upper right-hand corner. The piece demonstrates high-level technical skill in the medium of pastel, particularly in the handling of light and shadow on the berries and the delicate plumage. The painting is currently presented in a simple white or light grey cardboard matting, secured with magnets to a white surface during documentation. The condition appears to be excellent and pristine, consistent with its recent creation date in 2022, with no visible signs of smudging, pigment loss, or paper degradation. The use of Pastelmat suggests a professional-grade archival foundation designed to hold multiple layers of pigment without the need for excessive fixatives, preserving the vibrancy of the yellows and deep blacks.

I have examined the digital documentation of this original 10x12 pastel painting on Clairefontaine Pastelmat. The artwork, dated 2022, displays exceptional technical proficiency characteristic of high-end contemporary realism. The handling of the Black-capped Chickadee’s plumage shows a sophisticated command of the pastel medium, while the use of a professional-grade archival surface like Pastelmat ensures long-term pigment stability and vibrancy. Based on visual inspection, the item is in pristine condition with no evidence of smudging, foxing, or environmental degradation. Market conditions for avian-themed contemporary pastels remain steady, particularly for works of this size which are accessible to mid-level collectors. Comparables for original wildlife pastels of similar dimensions by emerging to mid-career representational artists typically range between $3.50 and $5.50 per square inch. The added value here is derived from the 'bokeh' background technique and the successful execution of high-contrast focal points (the yellow berries). Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on digital images. A definitive valuation and authentication would require in-person inspection to verify the depth of the pigment layers and ensure the '2022' signature is integral to the work rather than appended. To fully authenticate this piece, I would require a C.O.A. (Certificate of Authenticity) from the artist or gallery records. Physical examination under UV light would also be necessary to confirm the absence of hidden repairs or non-archival fixatives that could affect long-term valuation.