Lots of Locks

[Lisa Ober]

Enzie and Chris, thank you for the kind words and your comments on the hair. Those curls take some turns, don't they? I spent many years and some money trying to get my hair to do something like that with no luck. It also feels like I spent years drawing the curls on this little girl. It made me happy that most of my client's have children with fine straight hair.

I know there is nothing I could teach either of you when it comes to painting, but your comments are most appreciated. One day, should I achieve any level of satisfaction in my work, I might feel comfortable with a little step-by-step. Until then I am going to take your compliments and run as fast as I can so no one can steal them back. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jenni Nolen

Mary, Thanks so much. I ordered several pieces of the Pastelboard, but only in grey. I am so used to letting the color of the Canson paper be the background for head and shoulders and I can't do so with the grey Pastelboard, at least with this piece. I felt it needed some color. I've been wanting to try the La Carte also, but have been nervous because it seems delicate. I'll have to take your suggestion and order the sand color Pastelboard.

Ardith, thank you as well! I cannot sing the praises of Ampersand's Pastelbord enough. It is just incredible. As I understand it, it is made with marble dust which provides a fine texture similar but not as painful on the fingers as Wallis. It is superb at holding pastels and beats the potential wrinkling, waving and fragility of any paper. It holds its tooth forever allowing many layers to be applies without losing the surface. It takes a little adjusting to if you are coming from paper like Canson, but I highly recommend giving it a try. Go look at the difference I believe it made in Jenni Nolen's beautiful "Something about Genevieve" thread recently in Pastel Critiques. You may have seen it already. She started with Canson and switched to Pastelbord and I think it improved her already impressive painting. I love the stuff. can you tell? Thank you again.