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Weekly BobBlast Issue 521

Best of BobBlast - Loosen Up! Two Techniques for Painting Flowers


Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

I am at Dillman’s Resort teaching a couple of workshops! So this week’s BobBlast is a Best of BobBlast all about “Two Techniques for Painting Flowers.” 


In this BobBlast, my demos are painting a vase of flowers using two techniques—Making a Mess and Wiping Away. We have an online workshop on this subject coming up, plus it is part of my longest running and favorite workshop to teach—Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting, featuring flowers, landscapes, single subjects, abstracts… all the good stuff in one workshop!


Watch the Demo—Keeping the start loose and abstract, I splatter and dribble splashes of clean colors all over a sheet of pre-gessoed watercolor paper. Prior to splashing, I covered the paper with a mid tone of a warm orange-yellow acrylic, let dry.


Next, I decide on the overall silhouette shape of a vase holding a bouquet of loose flowers. The composition of the painting is determined by this silhouette. I load my brush with an opaque color and paint out the parts that don't look like the vase and flowers—I am basically painting the background.


Once the graphic shape has been determined, I brush in the key focal point flower, referring to my color wheel's focal point color. The next step is adding the two spice colors right next to the focal point color. 


Now I continue painting some more—moving my brush all over the surface of the painting, adding and subtracting color shapes, until the painting becomes less abstract and appears to look like a very loose interpretation of my original intentions. 


The second technique is wiping away also known as reductive, or negative shape painting.  In the demo you see me brush a very dark color on top of pre-gessoed watercolor paper. You can use any type of surface for this technique. 


Once the whole surface is covered with very wet, dark paint, I immediately sprinkle isopropyl alcohol all over. This creates small, white ringlets that just may look like the beginnings of flowers. This is a fun effect! Now, continuing on the overall vase shape, I wipe away the still wet dark background color to make the vase shape and body of the bouquet. 


Then, I scrape lines and add color where I see fit. Remember, these are simple ways to start loose.


Creating Abstract Florals with these two techniques are part of my Loosen Up Workshop Retreat! I have an In-Person Loosen Up Workshop in my Studio coming up in a few months! There are more in-person Loosen Up Workshops scheduled in Bar Harbor, Maine and Hermosa Beach, CA. Join us! Reserve your spot today!


Loosen Up! Workshop Coming Up

•September 11-15, 2024

In-Person, in Bob's Studio, Arroyo Grande, CA

Limited to 10 Painters!

Click here for more info, then scroll down to 5 Day Instructional Workshops

Contact kate@robertburridge.com for questions!


Online Monthly Demos

•July 17, 2024

"Putting the WOW in your Painting"

•August 14, 2024

"Making Your Mark"

Click here for more info


One Day Intensive Workshops Coming Up!

•June 26, 2024

"Abstract Florals from Loose Colorful Splatters"

Click here for more info


•July 31, 2024

"Neutrals: How to Create & Use!

Click here for more info


Traveling Bob – In-Person Workshops!

•October 14-18, 2024

"Loosen Up Painting Retreat"

Bar Harbor, Maine

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

Click here for more info


•October 28-November 1, 2024

"Loosen Up Painting Retreat" & Gallery Show at GOH

Gallery of Hermosa, Hermosa Beach, CA

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

Click here for more info


•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 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


Online Figure Workshops!

•September 27-29, 2024

"Abstract Figurative"

Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center

Click here for more info


•December 6-8, 2024

"Drawing & Painting the Figure with Motion & Emotion"

Click here for more info


Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California

• July 26-28 - Larger & Looser Abstract Painting 

• August 8-11 - Mentor Workshop - SOLD OUT

• September 9-13 - Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting

• October 3-6 - Mentor Workshop

Click here for more info


Burridge Critiques Your Art

Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one

Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions

Click here for more info

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.


2024


•June 26, 2024

Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Click here for more information.


•July 17, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Putting the WOW in your Painting”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Click here for more info


•July 20-21, 2024

Larger, Looser Abstract Paintings - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


•July 26-28, 2024

Robert Burridge 3-Day Instructional Studio Workshop

Larger and Looser Abstract Painting

Contact Kate@RobertBurridge.com for fees and details.

Click HERE for more info


•July 31, 2024

Neutrals! How to Create and Use - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Click here for more information.


•August 14, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Making Your Mark”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


•August 15, 2024

Painting Light & Shadow - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.


•September 5, 2024

Artists in Action: The Art of Pricing

Sponsored by West Business Development Center 

Thursday, 12:00 - 1:30 PM PST

This is a FREE seminar

Registration Info to come!


•September 11, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Painting Carrots”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


•September 14-15, 2024

Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


•September 16-20, 2024

Robert Burridge 5-Day Instructional Studio Workshop

Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting

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

Click HERE for more info


•September 27-29, 2024

Abstract Figurative - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center

Contact (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809

Click here for more info


•October 14-18, 2024

Loosen Up Painting Retreat 

Bar Harbor, Maine

Sponsored by Madeline Island School of the Arts

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

Click here 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


•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 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


For more 2024 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 521 video!

Best of BobBlast - Loosen Up! Two Techniques for Painting Flowers

Love, Peace & Happiness,

Weekly BobBlast 521 - Video run time 12 minutes, 27 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 Creativity Combo of a Workbook, Travel Color Wheel 

and a set of 3 Studio Guides!

•Click here to order - Printed Creativity Combo

•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 Workbook

•Click here to order - Printed Workbook

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


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

Robert Burridge
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