Lots of Locks

Lisa Ober · 04-14-2005, 09:21 AM

Patricia, thank you for the enthusiastic compliment. I do think this is a bit more polished looking but I'm not sure why. I think you are so right about the photography helping. Eliminating the flash really does make a difference and yes, Mike knows his stuff for sure.

Michelle, receiving a "wow" from you means so much to me. I admire your work and knowledge very much and I have learned a lot from many of your posts.

Kimberly, thank you so much!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

Lisa, this is so beautiful, and I am really enjoying your flawless technique. The color is fresh and subtle as well. Beautifully done! I have to ask you how many hours it took to get draw those curls.

Thank you, Linda. I don't know about flawless, but I'm not complaining about the use of the word of course. This one took me about 2 hours total. I bet the curls took up a large chunk of that 2 hours. Yes, I work very quickly which has been a flaw over the years. I think I get bored easily or perhaps when I sit down to work I am so intense I don't realize my frenzied pace. I'm almost afraid to answer the question though for fear my clients will see and start dividing cost by time. Most of my pastel vignettes run between 2 and 4 hours. It takes longer for me now that I have to put a background in as I am working on Ampersand's Pastelbord. On Canson, they took less time because I didn't need to put in the background most of the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean Kelly

I'm gone for a day and come to back to another one of your exquisite pastels! Did you use pastel pencils on this one too? If so, what brand do you prefer, and how are you sharpening them? Her mouth is just precious.

Jean, you are so kind! Thank you. For this one I combined my pastel sticks which are mostly Rembrandt and Nu-pastels with the pencils for the details. Since this board eats pastels a bit more, the pencils just won't work. I will still be working on the first layer if I hadn't used the sticks. I have quite a combination of pencils. I use mainly the Faber-Castells but I also have Conte, Cretacolor, Stabilo, and Bruynzeel. Really, they all have about the same qualities. It's just that the colors vary. Sharpening is a nightmare! A nightmare! I have a really old electric sharpener that seems to do the best job (still with issues). When all else fails I use a utility knife. Do you have any sharpening tips?

Thank you to all of you for your nice words. I must have had a stroke of luck with this portrait. We'll see what happens with the next one in the critique forum but for now you have put a smile on my face...much needed this week.

Garth Parker · 04-14-2005, 09:45 AM

Hi Lisa,
What beautiful work. I especially like the eyes.
Congratulations,

Jerome

Michele Rushworth · 04-14-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

This one took me about 2 hours total.

Even more "wow!"

Jean Kelly · 04-14-2005, 05:45 PM

Hi Lisa, I don't have any sharpening tips, just an x-acto knife and sandpaper. I only have about 10 pencils and they don't fit in the sharpener so I rarely use them. Therefore my pastels have very little detail work. Now that I'm working on boards I probably won't get any more and just stay with a looser style.

I love what you do on paper though and may play around. I was hoping you had a magic method. Indecision reigns!

Jean

Lisa Ober · 04-14-2005, 08:59 PM

Garth, well when it comes to a compliment that one is my favorite to hear because eyes are the most fun for me. I save the finishing touches on them until the very last. That speeds me up for the other stuff so I can get to the eyes. It's like that old ketchup commercial--waiting with anticipation for the best part. So, thanks!

Michele, I "wow" you right back on all your work, so there! Seriously, thank you. My middle name is impatience so it's nice when it pays off with a "wow." Most would say, "Idiot, you are not living up to your potential."

Jean, you reminded me today about the sharpening issue so when I went to the art supply store to buy that pastel ground I tested a few sharpeners. I found on that just might work. If it really does, I will buy you one and send it to you because it would belong in Ripley's. I'll let you know. Otherwise I am back to your method. It's so annoying using a blade. As for playing around, if you did it I am sure it wouldn't be playing. You'd master it right off the bat. Do let me know if you give it a shot. Well, off to try the new ground I applied to a board thanks to you!

David Draime · 04-15-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa Ober

This one took me about 2 hours total. I bet the curls took up a large chunk of that 2 hours. Yes, I work very quickly which has been a flaw over the years. I think I get bored easily or perhaps when I sit down to work I am so intense I don't realize my frenzied pace.

I can't believe this only took you 2 hours!!!!

I would be slaving over it for...20 times that!! OK: you have to make a video of you working on a pastel from start to finish. I'll buy it, put it in my video player, hit the super slo-mo button....and learn.

Awesome!! - that's all I can think of...

Jean Kelly · 04-15-2005, 12:37 PM

I should have checked the forum last night as I was up till the wee hours also, not painting though. I envy and scold you all!!

Lisa, I graciously accept your offer of a sharpener that actually works, I'm not holding my breath though, I have at least 10 different types that don't work.

Two hours is phenomenal, I'd like to be a fly on your wall to just watch the pastel dust fly by.

Jean

Lisa Ober · 04-15-2005, 06:57 PM

David, thank you very much.. I doubt I could give you any useful information. Your "Yulia" painting made me cry and yes, I admit I saved it on my computer as inspiration of what I would like to do one day (at least in my dreams). It should be obvious to you of all people that my speed doesn't equal quality. It's just speed at his point but I hope to apply myself better as time goes on. Still, thank you for the compliment as I think you are an amazing artist.

Jean, it's a deal then. I have new pastel pencils which came sharp so I haven't really gone to town with the sharpener yet. I'm afraid I am going to be disappointed and add it to my huge pile of sharpeners as well. Maybe we should just put our heads together and invent a sharpener that works. We'd make a mint! As for being a fly on my wall, you'd be so bored unless you like loud music in which case there would be a little entertainment I suppose. Hey, I'm starting a vignette on my homemade board tonight! I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for the information on that. I'm a bit nervous...

Elizabeth Schott · 04-16-2005, 01:12 AM

Lisa you certainly have a lovely piece here! Contgratulations.

I think I could have spent 2 hours on one of your lovely eyes.

Lisa Ober · 04-16-2005, 01:19 AM

Elizabeth, thank you so much. I was visiting your site and I think your sense of color is just beautiful. I love the painting entitled "Gwendolyn." It's just wonderful so I suspect that it wouldn't take you hardly any time to do gorgeous eyes as you have already done. I'm really having fun getting to know everyone here and seeing all the stunning work. Thank you again.