THE ART OF LISA OBER
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Lisa Ober's

Paintings and Ponderings

Now Available - The Official Lisa Ober Pastel Portrait Set from Unison Colour!

8/5/2018

2 Comments

 
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"We are delighted to be able to bring out the Lisa Ober Portrait set, which is a beautiful mix of colours. Lisa's work is extraordinary, and shows what can be done with the medium of pastel. It has been a wonderful process collaborating with Lisa, and we hope that you enjoy using the set as much as we have in creating it."
​Dan Hersey, Unison Colour

IT'S HERE!
​I am so excited I finally share my excitement about the Unison Colour Lisa Ober 18 Portrait Set!


It took months and a hunt through a huge number of colorful Unison pastels to arrive at the final set of 18 outstanding portrait colors...and I am thrilled with the final collection. I wanted the set to contain the colors I use most often in my own work, colors that will be the most helpful to seasoned professionals as well as aspiring artists.

This set contains the foundational colors portrait artists can incorporate into their own sets to create realistic and accurate skin tones, and is the perfect set for someone just starting their portrait-painting journey.
  • Excellent first-layer colors for establishing middle values and overall skin tone
  • Great dark colors for deep shadows, good contrast, and hair
  • Perfect highlight colors for glowing skin and hair highlights
  • Lovely additional colors to help you shift color temperature, add reflective color, and fine tune for a variety of skin shades
  • Rich colors for believable mouths
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Where to purchase in the USA
You can purchase your set in the United States now at Dakota Art Pastels. Dakota is an exclusively pastel retailer in the United States. Remember to order paper while you are there! I suggest UART Sanded Pastel Paper, 400 grit.
​
Link:
​https://www.dakotapastels.com/product/Unison-18-Ober-Portrait?cat=96&idsku=17172

The button below will also take you to Dakota's site.
BUY NOW AT DAKOTA PASTELS (USA)

Not in the USA? 
Unison Colour
 (Northumberland, UK) offers an online store for artists who don't live in the United States. This set is available through their site as well.

https://www.unisoncolour.com/product/lisa-ober-portrait-18-set/

The button below will take you to Unsion's site.
BUY NOW AT UNISON COLOUR (UK)

​The quality of Unison Colour Pastels is unsurpassed. Handmade in Northumberland, UK, these sticks of nearly pure color have been a staple in my pastel set for many years. Their attention to quality and detail is why they are loved and used by so many professional artists worldwide. Each pastel is rich in color so it can be layered many times, soft and blendable, and works well with other pastel brands. I am grateful for the privilege of working with the team at Unison and proud to be associated with this fine company.

Own this set?
Please let me know what you think about the LISA OBER 18 Portrait Set! I'd love to see how you use these pastels in your own work or hear about your favorite colors.
2 Comments

I Was a Guest Blogger! (and you should check out this site)

1/17/2017

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Pastel Portrait 24 X 18
​My talented friend Gail Sibley has a wonderful blog called How To Pastel. She asked if I would join her as a guest blogger and I was thrilled. Her site contains a wealth of information about painting with pastels. Please check it out at Howtopastel.com.
​
​Here is a little excerpt of the article followed by a link to the rest of it.

Portrait of an Artist - Lisa Ober

I build and work my business in much the same way I build a portrait, from rough sketch to completion. Like most artists, my days aren’t entirely filled with painting but rather with other business-related tasks like planning, computer tasks, client meetings, networking opportunities, and sometimes teaching workshops.
Decades ago as a young person dreaming of having a career doing something I loved, I never would have guessed I would wear so many hats: artist, mentor, workshop teacher, gallery owner, marketer, sales person, social media court jester (not queen), graphic designer, web designer, photo editor, and computer tech. And I’m leaving out attention to spouse and kids, friends and family, and most of the gallery work I do because if I included those responsibilities I’d have to write a book instead of a blog post.
Join me as I “paint” a portrait of this artist. You may learn a little about how I paint (if you look at the progress shots of the little girl’s portrait at each stage), and you might just see yourself in the word-painting I create of myself. Click HERE to read more at the website, How to Pastel.

​Let me know what you think!




2 Comments

UART Workshop - Realistic Pets in Pastel

1/11/2016

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Realistic Pet/Animal Portraits in Pastel Workshop

March 4-5, 2016 Friday-Saturday
Houston TX

Click Here for Information


Click Here for Registration through EventBrite
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Terry Ludwig Pastels-What a visit!

9/1/2015

2 Comments

 
I recently had the good fortune of visiting Terry Ludwig Pastels ( The Candy Store) and received a detailed and generous tour of the spot where artistic miracles begin.  Terry has been making these bits of heaven since 1995.  Currently available in 550 colors, these are some of he most consistent pastels available.  They are uniquely handcrafted rectangular little bricks of goodness that offer artists many application options.

The tour started with the retail section which displays an unlimited rainbow of these fabulous pastels, neatly organized, with each stick calling my name much like when Santa reads your name on a package and then says it out loud.  

From start to finish, it was clear that Terry and his staff care about providing quality materials to artists.  The shop was so clean it was hard to believe pastels were made in the back section.  Even the back section, where the real magic happens, was organized and virtually free of pastel dust.  Except for some evidence of pigment stain (including some quinacridone embedded into Terry's forehead which you can see on the photo to the right), the whole pastel-making section was remarkably tidy!
You can almost hear them calling my name.
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The pastel making tour began with discussion of the quality pigments that go into making these pastels.  I'd be lying if I said I remembered everything Terry mentioned but it was clear that the pigments were thoughtfully sourced.  There were canisters and containers everywhere with the richest and purest colors that ultimately combine to make these addictive pastels.
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Pure beautiful pigments make Terry Ludwig Pastels so vibrant and potent!  Terry doesn't use toxic cadmiums in his pastels but he still gets the richest of colors.
There are so many things I love about Terry Ludwig Pastels.  The richness of the colors, the reliable feel of them, the ultra softness, and the way the shape allows versatility of use.  No pastel collection is complete without them.
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Pigment containers of powdery potential.  This is better than donuts!

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Terry's personal pastel box contains smaller handmade pastels.  I was a little jealous.
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Set of 60 Terry Ludwig Intense Darks.  This is my favorite set for rich dark hues.  Photo courtesy Terry Ludwig's Website 
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On the left is the lovely Marie Ludwig, the crowning glory of Terry Ludwig Pastels.  Terry and Marie have been married for 50 years!  
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Just part of what's on display at the Terry Ludwig store!
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Nope, not a skin condition.  This is Terry's quinacridone-colored forehead.  That's dedication!
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Here I am receiving some patient instruction from the master pastel maker.  
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I think it's clear from the blob of pigment in front of me that pastel making should be left to the experts...
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…but I keep trying.
As I mentioned above, the tour was so packed with information that I did not retain it all, but I do recall Terry talking about the final step in the making of his pastels…just before they get packaged and sent to my house.  After the pastels have dried, cured, or whatever term he used, they have a little film on the outside of them which slightly distorts their true color.  Well guess what he does?  He takes EACH pastel and lightly sands it on all 6 sides!  Can you believe that?  Talk about labor intensive!  The excess pastel dust falls into large buckets.  I cannot tell you how many buckets I saw, but Terry and his team have been busy!  

Nearly all pastels artists are addicts of sorts.  We never see a color we don't need…and order.  And no matter the brand, all pastels have a price that would surprise those who don't work in pastel.  I've been known to gripe about spending $5 or more per stick.  I confess that up until my visit to Terry Ludwig's place I had NO IDEA how much is involved with pastel making!  To be honest, for the work involved they should be at least $10!  It was a real eye-opener.  I'm even more grateful someone cares enough to make quality pastels, and very grateful he was willing to share the pastel making process on a precious Saturday.  Thanks to Terry (and Marie) for an entertaining and enlightening day!  Not only are you spectacular pastel makers but you are wonderful human beings as well.
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Here's the moment that made me appreciate Terry Ludwig Pastels the most, sanding each stick on all 6 sides by hand!
YES!  YOU DO NEED MORE PASTELS!

Here is contact information for Terry Ludwig Pastels:

Terry Ludwig Pastels
8113 W Brandon Drive
Littleton, CO 80125

www.terryludwig.com

303.795.1232
888.795.1232

Like
Terry Ludwig Pastels on Facebook
2 Comments

Sticking My Neck Out

7/19/2015

1 Comment

 
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Sticking My Neck Out
24 X 18
Pastel on Paper
Available
This is a piece began at the IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) convention in Albuquerque and finished up in the studio. Some new pastels acquired at the convention from Terry Ludwig, maker of extraordinary pastels, contributed to the vivid color in this piece. The nuances of the reflections made this one a true undertaking but the colorful and cheery result was worth the effort.
1 Comment

Master's Workshop Realistic Still Life in Pastel - June 2015

5/26/2015

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Jerry's Artarama Art Bar
Master's Workshops
Realistic Still Life in Pastel

June 26 and 27, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.



Learn to create believable, realistic still life paintings in this pastel workshop. Using a step-by-step approach to still life technique.


Click Here for more information
This workshop was a lot of fun. I enjoyed being in Raleigh, and loved meeting and spending time with my workshop students. See what a great time we had?
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Painting Pet Portraits in Pastels June 2015

5/26/2015

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Painting Pet Portraits in Pastels

ANAC-Association of Nebraska Art Clubs Conference
Lisa Ober will be judge and will lead a workshop(s)
June 10-13, 201
Instructor:  Lisa Ober, PSAMedium:  Pastels (Soft)
Skill level:  Beginner to advanced, drawing experience helpful
Click Here for more information.
I had a wonderful time in Nebraska! I would like to thank everyone involved in the ANAC Conference for a great weekend. Here are some photos from the workshop. Didn't we have fun?
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Painting Adult Portraits in Pastel April 2015

5/26/2015

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Painting Adult Portraits in Pastels

Painting Adult Portraits in Pastel
Hosted by Paint St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
April 25-26, 2015
Instructor:  Lisa Ober, PSA
Medium:  Pastels (Soft)
Skill level:  Beginner to advanced, drawing experience helpful
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0 Comments

Realistic Still Life in Pastel Workshop April 2015

5/26/2015

0 Comments

 
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Realistic Still Life in Pastel 

Hosted by Naperville Art League
April 11 and 12, 2015 Saturday and Sunday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. both days
Naperville IL



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Standing At Attention

5/4/2015

1 Comment

 
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Standing At Attention
24" x 18"
Pastel on Paper
SOLD
1 Comment

Standing Room Only

5/4/2015

0 Comments

 
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Standing Room Only
24" x 17"
Pastel on Paper
SOLD
0 Comments

I Promise Transparency

5/4/2015

0 Comments

 
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I Promise Transparency
12" x 9"
Pastel on Paper
0 Comments

Dinner Bell

5/4/2015

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Dinner Bell
10" x 8"
Pastel on Paper
SOLD
0 Comments

A Perfect Pearing

5/4/2015

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A Perfect Pearing
10" x 8"
Pastel on Paper
SOLD
0 Comments

Palette on Palate

5/4/2015

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Palette on Palate
18" x 24"
Pastel on Board
SOLD
0 Comments

Art is the Best Medicine

5/4/2015

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Art is the Best Medicine
10" x 22"
Pastel on Board
SOLD
0 Comments

Sticks and Tones

5/4/2015

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Sticks and Tones
6" x 6"
Oil on Panel
SOLD
0 Comments

Assembly

5/4/2015

0 Comments

 
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Assembly
24 X 18
Pastel on Board
SOLD
Pastel artists know that buying pastels can be addictive.  There are so many wonderful brands in a variety of shapes and sizes.  My collection contains something from almost every brand available.  The sticks themselves are so beautiful and colorful that they often make it into my  paintings.  In this particular painting the pastels are the stars of the show.  Perhaps that's why this painting appealed to the manufacturer of the paper I use and it now the image appears on all of their new packaging!  
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Uart Premium Sanded Pastel Paper is one of my favorite surfaces for pastel painting.  The PH neutral/Acid free surface is perfectly consistent across the 7 available grades.  It handles an impressive number of layers of pastel and has a nice creamy neutral color.

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Get to the Point

5/4/2015

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Get to the Point
24" x 36"
Pastel on Board
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Breakthrough

5/4/2015

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Breakthrough
26" x 16"
Pastel on Paper
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  • Home
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    • Still Life
    • Pastel Portraits
    • Oil Portraits
    • Pet Portraits
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  • Commissions
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    • Helpful Information (FAQ)
  • About
    • Blog
    • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Workshops
    • Workshop Schedule
    • Workshop Testimonials