How all began...

Bernhard Oberdieck was born February 24, 1949 in Oerlinghausen, Westfalen, in Germany. After highschool he learned lithography, and then studied Graphic Arts at the Werkkunstschule in Bielefeld. In no time the direction his life would take was decided to a career of free-lance illustrator.
Only a slight detour as a high school art instructor and 2 years at a Munich advertising agency lay before him, and then the leap into the dream job was made!
Bernhard Oberdieck has been working as a free-lance illustrator for over 2 decades now.
In that time he has illustrated numerous books for German and foreign publishers, and enjoys international acclaim.
His drawings are as popular at the children?s book trade fairs as at the various exhibits in the German-speaking realm, in Japan and in the United States. His love of children?s books cannot only be seen in his own extensive works.
He is also an avid collector of children?s books by other illustrators. His original collection of 3 books from his childhood has grown into a considerable picturebook collection which takes up quite a few shelves. Bernhard Oberdieck lives in Ramerberg in Bavaria with his wife and two sons.

Bernard Oberdieck became known for his very distinct techniques. No quick washes or rubs, no broad strokes here. Colored pencil and pastels are painstakingly laid down using hatching and overlay so that warm and tender pictures are created. Through the years he has also incorporated other techniques and materials, such as acrylic and aquarelle washes into his work. His preferred method still lies with the fine, detailed work.
But no matter whether it’s acrylic or pastel, fantasy or realism, or a combination of the two, Bernhard Oberdieck’s pictures possess a very special charm, which invites you to look and dream over and over again.

Bernhard Oberdieck has worked for the following publishers:

Ars Edition / Arena Verlag / Annette Betz Verlag / Auer Verlag / Beltz und Gelberg / C.BertelsmannJugendbuchverlag / Carlsen Verlag / Dressler Verlag / B.Erdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids ,Michigan / dtv junior / Ellermann Verlag / Grimm Press ,Taiwan / Klett Grundschulverlag / Loewes Verlag / Nord - Süd Verlag, Zürich / Patmos Verlag / Random House ,New York / Ravensburger Verlag / Sauerländer Verlag / Simon & Schuster ,New York / Thienemann Verlag

Here are my backlist.

I’m a member of Kulturserver-Bayern
and member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators