Weekly BobBlast Issue 481

Best of BobBlast - Painting Surfaces - Paper, Canvas & More!


Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

You often hear me singing the praises of Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff for their Kilimanjaro Watercolor Paper and the cradled wood panels I use. In this Best of BobBlast, I am celebrating the memory of my very good friend Joe Miller. 


Painting Surfaces - Your choice! So many to choose from: Paper? Canvas? Wood? Panels? Rocks? It depends on what you intend to do with your artwork. This Best of BobBlast is in two parts: Paper Surfaces and Canvas Surfaces. These are the surfaces that I use in my studio and all are discussed and demo’d in the video.


Starting with Watercolor Paper… available in long rolls, elephant sizes and standard sizes. Paper is available as single sheets, as well as convenient pads of the most popular sizes. The following is a brief “need to know” about paper for artists.


• Smooth paper is referred to as HOT PRESS (HP) - smooth…The paint flows

• Slightly textured paper is called COLD PRESS (CP) - rough… The paint sticks

• Paper Thickness, known as the weight, is shown in pounds (lb) not grams (gms)


The popular weight in small watercolor paper pads is 90 lb. The next popular is 140 lb. - considered medium weight. Depending on the manufacturer, 140 lb. can curl too much for me. I prefer the thicker, sturdier weight of 300 lb. paper. This weight holds up well after my aggressive painting techniques and abuse!


Next, we talk about the other types of surfaces I use in my studio. Namely, 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 Cheap Joe’s Pretty Good Wooden Panels. One of my favorites are Cradled Painting Panels, made of birch wood. I also use Masterpiece Artist Canvas and Ampersand Artist Panels.


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 gesso.


I can’t wait to see what I do in the studio today!


Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California

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


Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!

• October 3, 2023

“3 Easy Ways to Draw & Paint the Figure”

•November 8, 2023

"Reductive Painting: Negative Shapes"

•December 6, 2023

“Choosing Color Combinations that Work”

Click here for more info


We have One-Day Intensive Workshops!

•September 27, 2023

"Bob's Goof-Proof Color Wheel Intensive"

Click here for more info


•October 18, 2023

"Paint the Effect of Light"

Click here for more info


Save the date! Open Studio Tour - 2 weekends!

October 14-15 and October 21-22

Burridge ArtWork

For sale on our website and at Open Studio

New Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!

Check it out!

Click here for the official Open Studio Catalog!



Don't Miss! - Online Figure Workshops

September 29 - October 1, 2023

Abstract Figurative

Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center

Click here for more info

•and•

November 11-12, 2023

Paint Bob's Circus!

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Click here for more info


Check out the other ONLINE WORKSHOPS we have in December!

•Painting Figures without Painting Figures - December 2-3

Click here for more!

•Larger Looser Abstract Painting - December 9-10

Click here for more!


Burridge Critiques Your Art

Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one

Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions

Click here for more information!


We have Gift Certificates!

For YOU to give… or for someone to give YOU

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.


•September 27, 2023

Bob’s Goof-Proof Color Wheel Intensive - 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 the Sedona Arts Center

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

Click here for more info


•October 3, 2023

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“3 Easy Ways to Draw and Paint the Figure”

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 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.


•December 2-3, 2023

Painting Figures without Painting Figures - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


•December 6, 2023

Bob’s Monthly Demo - ONLINE DEMO

“Choosing Color Combinations that Work”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


•December 9-10, 2023

Larger, Looser Abstract Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info


2024


•January 5-7, 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


•January 13-20, 2024

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


•January 29-February 2, 2024

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


•February 12-16, 2024

Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage

Palette Productions, Pensacola, FL

Contact Pat Page, call or text (850) 293-5414

or pat@paletteproductions.net

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 481 video!



Best of BobBlast - Painting Surfaces - Paper, Canvas & More!

Love, Peace & Happiness,

Weekly BobBlast 481 - Video run time 16 minutes, 22 seconds


Remember!

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


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


We have Bob’s Color Wheel! 

•Click here to order - Studio Wall Chart Color Wheel

•Click here to order - Portable Travel Color Wheel


•We have a special for BOTH color wheels! Click here.


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


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



Robert Burridge
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