Weekly BobBlast Issue 440
Start with Colored Gesso for Visual Excitement!

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!
I gesso everything I paint - both canvas and watercolor paper. I paint on a colored ground… colored gesso. I see no reason to paint over every inch of the paper. I leave bits of the colored gesso to peek through. I feel the colored gesso helps to unify the the painting.

I'm not looking for perfection of brush marks or solid areas of one color. For me, I prefer to paint visual vibration with an emphasis on visual activity. Plus - I exaggerate with this unpredictable approach. For me, it's called "Hey, I'm painting here!"

As a younger student of painting, I was excited to discover Georges Seurat, Vincent van Gogh, and recently Chuck Close used tiny spots of color to form a larger image. That is the look I am going for when I purposely let some of the undercoat of my gesso peek through. Why? Because I like the overall zing it adds to the artwork. 

Holbein colored gesso is loaded with professional pigments and stays bright when dried. I start by putting Holbein Acrylic Orange Gesso (they have 22 different colors of gesso - including Gold and Silver!) all over the surface. Holbein paints and gesso are heavily pigmented, so I can use lots of water. The gesso can spread out, without loosing its potency of color, as you can see in the video demo.

Here's a bit of basic info about gesso - I put gesso on all my surfaces first - because I expect the paint to react the same, whether it is on canvas, wooden panel or paper. Gesso makes the substrate/surface the same... levels the playing field, so to speak. A coat or two of gesso will produce the same expected results on all surfaces, whether it is your standard white gesso, or a colored gesso.

Standard play time in the studio can start this way:
  1. Apply Orange Gesso, let dry
  2. Start painting with acrylic paint, any color
  3. While top layer is still wet, scrape and scratch into the surface, revealing the colored gesso layer underneath for visual surprises

It's what I refer to as Je ne sais quoi!

Online Workshop - Last Day to register, December 6!
Painting with Dry Pigments, Chalks and Powders 
December 10-11, 2022
Learn how to create a singular!
Sponsored by the Mendocino Art Center
Click here for more info

We have Gift Certificates!
For YOU to give… or for someone to give YOU
Click here for more info!

Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!
•December 13, 2022
“Painting a Wine Bottle with 3 Strokes”
•January 17, 2023
“How to Start a Body of Work"
•February 1, 2023
“Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters"

Interested in a Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting Workshop?
•January 14-15, 2023
Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP
contact register@mendocinoartcenter.org
Click here for more info
• and •
•April 22-23, 2023
Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Click here for more info

February 17-24, 2023
Abstract Acrylic Painting Workshop in the Bahamas
Dillman's Creative Arts Retreat is offering a fantastic painting experience
with Bob in Elbow Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas.
Contact Dillman’s - (715) 588-3143 or art@dillmans.com
Click here for more info!
Click here for a PDF Flyer

Join Bob in Mexico! • January 21-28, 2023 
Casa de Los Artistas - Boca de Tomatlán
Contact Robert Masla, (413) 625-8382
Click here for more info

Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California
Studio Mentor • Five Day • Figure Painting Workshops
Mentor - March 16-19, 2023
5-day Abstract Mixed Media - June 26-30, 2023
4-day Figure Drawing & Painting - July 6-9, 2023
Studio Mentor • 5 Day Instructional • 4 Day Figure Painting Workshops
The Entire 2023 Studio Workshop Schedule is on our website!

Burridge Critiques Your Art
Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one
Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions
Click here for more information!

Burridge Available ArtWork - For sale on our website
New Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!
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!

Below is a list of featured workshops - but did you know that I also offer private sessions in my studio and online? 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 kate@robertburridge.com

Our most current Workshop Schedule!
Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California!
Mentor, 5-day Instructional, Figure Painting and One-on-One Workshops
Click here for more info.
Contact Kate@robertburridge.com for questions.

•December 10-11, 2022
Painting with Dry Pigments, Chalks and Powders - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Sponsored by the Mendocino Art Center
Contact the registrar (707) 937-5818
Click here for more info

•January 14-15, 2023
Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Sponsored by the Mendocino Art Center
Contact the registrar (707) 937-5818
Click here for more info

•January 21-28, 2023
Tropical Escapaint!
Abstract Acrylic & Collage in Mexico
Casa de Los Artistas
Boca de Tomatlan, 10 miles South of Puerto Vallarta 
Contact Robert Masla, (413) 625-8382
Click here for more info

•February 6-8, 2023
Contemporary Abstract Figure Painting & Collage - IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota FL
Contact Jane Harris, Education Director
jane@artsarasota.org or call (941) 365-2032
Click here for more info

•February 9-11, 2023
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage - IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Art Center Sarasota, Sarasota FL
Contact Jane Harris, Education Director
jane@artsarasota.org or call (941) 365-2032
Click here for more info

•February 17-24, 2023
Abstract Acrylic Painting Workshop in the Bahamas
Elbow Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas
Sponsored by Dillman's Creative Arts Retreat
Contact Dillman’s (715) 588-3143 or art@dillmans.com
Click here for more info

•March 4-5, 2023
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
Click here for more info

•March 16-19, 2023
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)
4-day Workshop/Mentor Program, limited to 7 enrollees
Contact kate@RobertBurridge.com for fees and details.
Click HERE for more info.

•March 26-31, 2023
Kanuga Watermedia Workshops - IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Contact watermediaworkshops@protonmail.com or (828) 278-0193
Click here for more info and to register

•April 22-23, 2023
Non-Objective Mixed Media - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
Click here for more info

•April 28-30, 2023
Abstract Figurative - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center
Contact (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809

•May 22-26, 2023
Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage - IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Hudson Valley Art Workshops, Greenville, NY
Contact Kim LaPolla (518) 966-5219 or (888) 665-0044
Click here for more info

For more 2023 Workshop Dates 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 440 video!
Start with Colored Gesso for Visual Excitement
Love, Peace & Happiness,
BobBlast #440 - Video run time 12 minutes, 46 seconds

New Creativity Combo!
•Loosen Up Workbook & Studio Notes
•Travel Color Wheel
•3 Essential Studio Guides
$49.95 + shipping & handling + sales tax (CA & NC residents)

Also available - Creativity Combo eVersion!
•Robert Burridge’s All Digital eWorkbook
•Goof-Proof Color Wheel Kit
•3 Essential Art Studio and Plein Air Guides Digital Version
$79.95 + sales tax (CA & NC residents)

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