Weekly BobBlast Issue 336

Paint a Series… Siblings, not Twins

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

The other day, during a Zoom painting workshop - I got a great question from a student… I was talking about painting a series and the question was, "Do we paint the exact same thing for the entire series?" I answered, no - I paint siblings, not twins. So that is what got this BobBlast started!

So - why paint a series? Hey! I got the idea from Monet. Check out his series of haystacks. The subject was the same: Haystacks. But they were haystacks at different times of the day, different seasons and changeable atmospheric conditions! Same subject, but different. You can see his exploration in each one. Monet's exercise taught me the most about being a painter, and painting a series over and over. Think Beethoven's Fifth Symphony… four notes DA DA DA DAHHHH. Then those same notes are repeated… but different.

To get started in the mornings, I practice by choosing a simple subject: Pears, coffee cups, flower vases, chickens. I paint singular subjects over and over. Robert Motherwell used a similar technique, called automatism. He felt the repetition of the painting process helped muscle memory.

Quickly moving from one warm-up to the next helps my creativity kick in. One concept, but variations on your theme. It is improvisation, just like music. How many ways can you paint the same subject?

Siblings… not twins!

Interested in playing with a series of Chickens and Other Fun Things to Paint?

We have a new Date Night exploring that subject!

December Date Night topics are all new!

Wednesday, December 9. Sign up now!

--Don't Miss--

Date Night with Bob!

New Subjects!!! - Wednesdays in December

Saturdays in January

All Zoom Painting Workshops!

Limited to 20 - Click here for more info.

This is what we're up to… Come Join the Fun!

"Zoomin' with Bob!"

Monday & Tuesday, 10-noon PT and 1-3pm PT

Online Workshops in November, December and January

Click here for more information!

•Color Lesson: Making and Using Neutrals in your Painting

January 11-12, 2021

•Goof-Proof Color Wheel Intensive

Saturday, December 12, 1:00-4:00 pm PT

Click here for more information!

•Paint the Effects of Light

Monday, January 4, 10-noon & 1-3 pm PT

Click here for more information!

•Art Marketing: Make More $$ - The 10 Must-Do's to Sell your Paintings

Saturday, February 6, 12:00-3:00 pm PT

Something New for You! • Burridge Critiques Your Art

Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one

Critiques • Comments • Suggestions

Click here for more information!

New Virtual Juried Show - Details Coming…

•Prospectus available December 20

•The Theme is “Table Setting"

•Our Juror is Karen Vernon!

•Whole Bunch of Prizes!

Looking forward to seeing your work!

Thanks again for watching and telling your friends! All my BobBlasts are archived on my website and my YouTube Channel. We post new studio tips weekly that offer real content, substance and useful techniques that work for me. And they're free! We appreciate your interest, questions, comments and support!

Some of our subscribers have asked about the "behind the scenes" people who make the weekly BobBlast possible - so we want to give a shout out and thank Bo von Hohenlohe for editing the BobBlast videos. Bo also produces websites and helps authors self-publish book. Please visit his website at www.bvhprods.com.

Below is a list of featured workshops - but did you know that I also offer private sessions in my studio? Perfect for beginners who want a crash course in watercolor or acrylic or for artists who are designing an exhibit and want to bounce ideas for content and techniques. I devote 100% of my studio time to you! Designed for 1 to 3 people - if you are interested or have questions, email [email protected]

Our most current Workshop Schedule!