Weekly BobBlast Issue 474

Good Basic Info about Painting on Watercolor Papers

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

Traditionally, painters prefer to paint on both paper and canvas. The most popular single sheet sizes of watercolor paper are available in 22x30 inches. Papers are also available in various standard sizes in pads or blocks. There are large rolls of watercolor paper - it’s liberating to work on a roll 48 inches wide by 30 feet long! Imagine what you can create on paper that large?

Watercolor paper comes in varying thicknesses too - I generally paint on 140 lb or 300 lb. For my work using collage, I get the best results with the 300 lb Kilimanjaro watercolor paper. It remains flat when wet. The 140 lb is ideal for my small warmup paintings.

Another choice to consider is the “finish” of the surface. It will either be Hot Press (HP) or Cold Press (CP). Hot press is smooth, while cold press has a slight “tooth” in the texture. Paint glides on differently on both choices of paper. Try them both and decide!

So why do I gesso my watercolor paper? I like the feel of a pre-gessoed surface. I want the paint to react the same, whether I am working on paper or canvas. I prefer brushing or wiping a professional-quality, thick gesso over the entire surface. Plus, painting on a dried gessoed surface gives me a much longer paint time for improvisation and play.

Watch the demo - I use a beautiful gold gesso by Holbein. They have 23 colors of gesso.

The final part of this BobBlast is about tearing the watercolor paper. I like to work on a smaller format for my warmups - so I tear the paper into six, 10x10 inch squares. I demo this part too!

Here are the steps for tearing:

•Fold the paper to the desired size and flatten the fold

•Fold back and forth several times

•With your hands, start the tear at the top

•Tear the paper away from itself

•Deckled edges!

•Practice!

Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!

• August 9, 2023

“Painting Pears, Pineapples and Peppers!”

• September 6, 2023

“Dramatic Landscapes: Clouds and Skies”

• October 3, 2023

“3 Easy Ways to Draw & Paint the Figure”

Click here for more info

Want more info and a hands-on experience about Neutrals?

We have an online workshop coming up!

Neutrals! How to Create & Use

•August 26-27, 2023

Color is exciting! Bright colors scream color! Neutrals whisper…

This Burridge workshop is all about neutral colors.

How to make neutrals and how to use neutral colors effectively in your paintings.

•You will make your own Neutral Color Chart as a studio reference

•You will learn to “grey down” color and discover which colors make neutrals pop

•Plenty of time for experimentation in mixing your favorite neutrals

•Making mud verses working with neutrals - Bob will assist you in learning the difference

Click here for more information.

Artists in Action: The Art of Pricing

Sponsored by West Business Development Center

August 8, 2023

Tuesday, 12:00 - 1:30 PM PST

This is a FREE webinar!

Click here for more info and to register

Join us for our NEW 1-Day Online Intensive Workshops

•August 31, 2023

"Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels"

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•September 27, 2023

"Bob's Goof-Proof Color Wheel Intensive"

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Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California

Studio Mentor • Instructional • Figure Painting Workshops

5-day Loosen Up with Aquamedia - September 11-15, 2023

Studio Mentor Workshop - October 5-8, 2023

Studio Mentor • Instructional • Figure Painting Workshops

The 2024 Studio Workshop Schedule is coming soon!

Click here for more details

Don't Miss! - Online Figure Workshops

September 29 - October 1, 2023

Abstract Figurative

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

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Burridge Critiques Your Art

Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one

Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions

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For YOU to give… or for someone to give YOU

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Burridge Available ArtWork - For sale on our website

New Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!

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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.

•August 8, 2023

Artists in Action: The Art of Pricing

Sponsored by West Business Development Center

Tuesday, 12:00 - 1:30 PM PST

This is a FREE webinar!

Click here for more info and to register

•August 9, 2023

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Painting Pears, Pineapples and Peppers!”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•August 26-27, 2023

Neutrals! How to Create & Use - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•August 31, 2023

Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•September 6, 2023

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Dramatic Landscapes: Clouds and Skies”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•September 11-15, 2023

Robert Burridge 5-Day Instructional Studio Workshop

Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting

5-day Workshop in Bob’s Arroyo Grande, CA Studio

Limited to 10 enrollees

Contact Kate@RobertBurridge.com for fees and details.

Click HERE for more info

•September 18-19 & 21, 2023

Non-Objective Mixed Media Retreat— ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•September 29 - October 1, 2023

Abstract Figurative - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•October 5-8, 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.

•October 18, 2023

Paint the Effect of Light - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•October 28-29, 2023

Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting - Online Workshop

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•November 2-5, 2023

Robert Burridge Studio Mentor Workshop - Wait List only

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

•November 8, 2023

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Reductive Painting: Negative Shapes”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•November 11-12, 2023

Paint Bob’s Circus - Online Workshop

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

For more 2023 and 2024 Workshop Dates click here!

Hope you have enjoyed these short, weekly blasts!

Click HERE to view BobBlast Issue 474 video!

Good Basic Info about Painting on Watercolor Papers

Love, Peace & Happiness,

Weekly BobBlast 474 - Video run time 15 minutes, 26 seconds

Remember!

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To read about Bob's studio practices, intentions, and painting tips,

check out his Loosen Up and Studio Notes Workbook

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•Click here to order - Studio Wall Chart Color Wheel

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

Robert Burridge

www.RobertBurridge.com

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