Weekly BobBlast Issue 298
Painting Surfaces - Paper, Part One

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!
Painting Surfaces - Your choice! So many to choose from: Paper? Canvas? Wood? Panels? Rocks? It depends on what you intend to do with your artwork. 

This subject will be in two parts. Paper Surfaces - Part One . Canvas Surfaces - Part Two.
All surfaces discussed, showed and demo’d in these next two BobBlasts are surfaces that I like working on in my studio. 

Paper! Ah, glorious paper! Paper for artists are available in long rolls, elephant sizes and standard sizes. Paper is available as single sheets, as well as convenient pads of the most popular sizes. The following is a brief “need to know” about paper for artists.

Smooth or Textured?

• Smooth paper is referred to as HOT PRESS (HP) - smooth. The paint flows.
•Slightly textured paper is called COLD PRESS (CP) - rough. The paint sticks.

Paper Thickness - AKA “the weight” in pounds (lb) not grams (gms)

The popular weight in small pads is 90 lb. The next popular is 140 lb. - medium weight. Depending on the manufacturer, 140 lb. can curl too much for me. I prefer the thicker, sturdier weight of 300 lb. paper. This weight holds up well after my aggressive painting techniques and abuse!

So, when purchasing your paper, pay attention to weight in pounds (not gms) and the surface - HP or CP. These papers are for water based paints such as watercolors, acrylics and inks. The latest addition to my favorite papers in my studio is Strathmore Oil Painting Paper pads, requiring no primer gesso. Great for oil painting sketching.

And finally, to make my point stick, paper may be marked as 300 gms - That’s 140 lb. Paper marked 640 gms is 300 lb. They just love to confuse us painters!

The next BobBlast is Part Two - Canvas, Wood and Panel Painting Surfaces. Hope this helps to clear things up. Whatever surface you choose, practice every day!

Keep your brushes wet! 

For more hands-on info regarding your art materials and painting techniques - come to a workshop! I have a Loosen Up Workshop coming up in Boone, North Carolina at Cheap Joe's - a wonderful place to paint!

August 3-7, 2020
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Boone, NC
Contact Edwina May, Workshop Coordinator (800) 227-2788 

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]

Here's a quick reminder and some upcoming workshops and dates.
If interested, sign up now!
April 24-28, 2020
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
Workshop Location - Hotel 10
10 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec
Contact Lucie Michel, 514-889-8191 or
Click here for more info.

May 3-9, 2020
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
5-day Painting Workshop (Monday-Friday)
Hudson River Valley Art Workshop
Greenville, NY
Contact Kim LaPolla (518) 966-5219 or (888) 665-0044
PO Box 659, Greenville, NY 12083
Click here for more info.

May 18-20, 2020
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
3-day Painting Workshop (Monday-Wednesday)
Sedona Arts Center
Sedona, AZ
Contact (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809
Click here for more info.

May 22-24, 2020
Contemporary Abstract Figure
3-day Painting Workshop (Friday-Sunday)
Sedona Arts Center
Sedona, AZ
Contact (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809
Click here for more info.

June 8-12, 2020
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
5-day Painting Workshop (Monday-Friday)
Dillman's Arts Workshop Retreat
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Contact (715) 588-3143 or [email protected]
Click here for more info.

June 15-18, 2020
Burridge Mentor Program
4-days of Mentor Workshop
Dillman's Arts Workshop Retreat
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Contact (715) 588-3143 or [email protected]
Click here for more info.

June 25-27, 2020
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
3-day Painting Workshop (Thursday-Saturday)
Art Box Studio
1302 Monte Vista, Unit 9, Upland, CA
Contact Sylvia Megerdichian (909) 981-4508 or [email protected]
Click here for more info.

July 13-17, 2020
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage
5-day Painting Workshop (Monday-Friday)
Mendocino Art Center
Mendocino, CA
Contact Gina Hurst-Roach, registrar (707) 937-5818
Click here for more info.

July 20-24, 2020
Contemporary Abstract Figurative Painting & Collage
5-day Painting Workshop (Monday-Friday)
Mendocino Art Center
Mendocino, CA
Contact Gina Hurst-Roach, registrar (707) 937-5818
Click here for more info.

August 3-7, 2020
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
5-day Workshop (Monday-Friday)
Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff
Boone, NC
Contact Edwina May, Workshop Coordinator (800) 227-2788 

August 13-16, 2020
Robert Burridge Studio Mentor Workshop
Come paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, CA
(includes individual mentor time, demonstrations and personal theme development)
3.5 days Workshop/Mentor Program, limited to 7 enrollees
Contact [email protected] for fees and details.
Click HERE for more info.

August 19-22, 2020
Robert Burridge Studio Figure Painting Workshop/undraped model
Come paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, CA
(includes individual mentor time, demonstrations and personal theme development)
4-day Workshop/Mentor Program, limited to 6 enrollees
Contact [email protected] for fees and details.
Click HERE for more info

August 24-28, 2020
Robert Burridge 5-Day Instructional Studio Workshop
5-day Workshop in Bob’s Arroyo Grande, CA Studio (Monday-Friday)
Contact [email protected] for fees and details.
Click HERE for more info

September 24-27, 2020
Artisan Expo
(505) 954-4179 ext. 119

October 26-30, 2020
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
5-day Painting Workshop (Monday-Friday)
Vancouver Island Art Workshops
British Columbia, Canada
Contact Mary, (250) 714-8080 

November 30-December 10, 2020 - NEW TRIP!!!
Paint Cuba with Bob Burridge
Explore Amazing Places
Contact [email protected] or
(623) 888-1314
Click here for more info.
View Bob's Workshop Schedule, click here .
...Check out his 2020 Studio Workshops! click here .

Hope you have enjoyed these short, weekly blasts! Sign up on my website and keep watching. There are lots of them!
Click here to view BobBlast Issue 298 video!
Painting Surfaces - Paper, Part One
Painting Surfaces Paper
Love, Peace & Happiness,
BobBlast #298 - Video run time 8 minutes, 28 seconds

•To read about Bob's studio practices, intentions, and painting tips, check out his Loosen Up and Studio Notes Workbook. Click here for more info and to order.

•You can purchase Bob's Color Wheel from his website by clicking here .

•You can purchase Bob's Travel Wheel from his website by clicking here .

•We even have a special for BOTH color wheels! Click here .

•You can purchase Bob's 2 Chart Combo - Composition Chart and Rembrandt Lighting & Value Chart by clicking here ! 2 charts for the price of 1!

•For more info about Bob's Workshop Schedule click here .
Robert Burridge