Weekly BobBlast Issue 535

Taking the Mystery out of Mediums

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

Acrylic mediums have always been a mystery to me. These were my questions:

•What are they for? 

•How do they work? 

•How do I use them? 

•Are they necessary?

The quick answer… A medium is anything that is ADDED to fresh paint to make the paint dry differently. Some mediums, when added to your palette, can do the following:

•Slow down drying

•Speed up drying

•Thicken your paint

•Cause your paint to dry more transparently

Some mediums are thick and feel like cement—you can even carve into them! Some mediums dry with a crackly finish, ideal for building textured surfaces.

One thing is for sure… all the mediums that you see in this BobBlast are acrylic, and therefore compatible with acrylic paint. 

I tried a little of each medium I was interested in using and made studio samples that you also can see in the demo. That way I have a record of what each medium does and what I can expect. These samples are my “wall chart” that I often refer to. Make your own! No more mystery… it’s all magic!

Interested in knowing more about mediums,

including Gel Mediums, Modeling Paste and Retarding Mediums?

“Working with Holbein Acrylic Mediums” webinar is ready to view! Click here for 90 minutes of informative fun, hosted by Robert Burridge Studio and Holbein Artist Materials.

Online Monthly Demos

•October 9, 2024

“Asymmetrical Composition”

•November 14, 2024

“Painting Stemware Glasses”

•December 11, 2024

“Using Neutrals in your Paintings”

Click here for more info

Online Monthly Critique Session

Limited to 10 artists - up to 3 images each

•October 10, 2024

Click here for more info

Online Workshops Coming Up!

•November 16-17, 2024

Small Scale Abstract Painting

Click here for more info

•November 21, 2024

Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels

Click here for more info

And… an Online Figure Workshop

•December 6-8, 2024

"Drawing & Painting the Figure with Motion & Emotion"

Featuring the Model Pash

Click here for more info

Traveling Bob – In-Person Workshops!

•January 6-10, 2025

Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage

Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ

Sponsored by Madeline Island School of the Arts

contact 715-747-2054 or misa@madelineschool.com

Click here for more info

•January 18-25, 2025

Tropical Paint-Cation! Loosen Up Painting Retreat in Mexico

Casa de Los Artistas

Boca de Tomatlan, 10 miles South of Puerto Vallarta 

Contact Robert Masla, (413) 335-4295

Click here to register and for more info

Bob made a cool video with a demo—Click here!

Burridge Online Coaching

• Private one-on-one

Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Strategies

Click here for more info

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.

2024

•October 3-6, 2024 One Spot Open!

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 10, 2024

Monthly Critique Session - ONLINE

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click Click here for more info for more info

•October 28-November 1, 2024

Loosen Up Painting Retreat & a Gallery Show at GOH

Gallery of Hermosa, Hermosa Beach, CA

Contact (323) 364-6606 or info@galleryofhermosa.com

Click here for more info

•November 7-10, 2024 One Spot Open!

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.

•November 14, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Painting Stemware Glasses”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•November 16-17, 2024

Small Scale Abstract Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•November 21, 2024

Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•December 6-8, 2024

Drawing & Painting the Figure with Motion and Emotion -ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•December 11, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Using Neutrals in your Paintings”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•December 14-15, 2024

Painting Figures without Painting Figures - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•December 16, 2024

Abstract Florals from Loose Colorful Splatters - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

2025

•January 6-10, 2025

Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage

Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ

Sponsored by Madeline Island School of the Arts

contact 715-747-2054 or misa@madelineschool.com

Click here for more info

•January 14, 2025

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“How to Paint with Acrylic Inks”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•January 18-25, 2025

Tropical Escapaint! 

Loosen Up Painting Retreat in Mexico

Casa de Los Artistas

Boca de Tomatlan, 10 miles South of Puerto Vallarta 

Contact Robert Masla, (413) 335-4295

Click here for more info



Entire 2025 Workshop Schedule — 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 535 video!

Taking the Mystery out of Mediums

Weekly BobBlast 535 - Video run time 10 minutes, 40 seconds

Remember!

You can always get a 10% discount with this code: BOBBLAST

Burridge Loosen Up Workshop Combo

Can’t make it to a Robert Burridge Workshop? This is the perfect combo for you to learn 

& practice Bob’s Loosen Up Painting Techniques!

Includes:

Loosen Up Workshop Notes

Goof-Proof Travel Color Wheel

3 Essential Art Studio and Plein Air Guides

•Click here to order - Printed Loosen Up Combo

•Click here to order - Digital Loosen Up Combo

Buy a Digital Creativity Combo

eWorkbook, Travel Color Wheel 

and a set of 3 Studio Guides!

•Click here to order - Digital Creativity Combo

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

Loosen Up and Studio Notes eWorkbook

•Click here to order - eWorkbook for iOS or PC/Android

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