Weekly BobBlast Issue 299
Painting Surfaces - Canvas and More, Part Two

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!
Painting Surfaces - This is Part Two of my two part series of painting surfaces. Part One was painting on watercolor paper and watercolor pads. This BobBlast is about the other types of surfaces I use in my studio: Canvas, Canvas Panels, Wood Panels and Cradle Boards. Most commonly used for oil and acrylic paints, these surfaces are more rigid than paper.

Canvas is stretched over and attached to wooden stretcher bars - or glued directly on to wood panels. The weaves range from a smooth linen or a more pronounced, textural cotton weave. (Note: Portrait painters often choose the smoother weave)

All pre-stretched canvases are available in standard sizes. Look for the ones that are of a higher quality construction, such as a reinforced back that will resist warping - particularly in larger sizes.

In my studio I use Masterpiece Artist Canvas and Ampersand Artist Panels. I also use Cheap Joe’s Pretty Good Wooden Panels . One of my favorites are Cradled Painting Panels , made of birch wood. See photo above!

With most artist panels, you have a choice of surfaces: Smooth clay coat, pre-gessoed canvases or natural finish. Even though the manufacturers say the surfaces are already gessoed, I always start my painting by prepping the surface with my favorite gesso - the thick, Utrecht Professional Acrylic Gesso  - I apply with a brush or trowel it on with a strip of disposable foam board.

I am looking forward to seeing what I do in the Studio this week!

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]

Our Workshop Schedule is a little up in the air right now!
Please contact the Workshop Coordinator listed for the latest news.
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.

March 29 - April 7, 2021 - RESCHEDULED!!
Essential Holland: Tulips in Spring River Cruise
Loose, Impressionistic Sketching & Painting Workshop
Sponsored by Dillman's Art Workshop Retreat
Contact [email protected] (715) 588-3143
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 299 video!
Painting Surfaces - Canvas and More, Part Two
Love, Peace & Happiness,
BobBlast #299 - Video run time 6 minutes, 15 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