Weekly BobBlast Issue 483

Constructing a Painting

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

I am working on some new interiors, figures and still life paintings for Open Studio, coming up in a couple of weeks! I am often asked how do I get started on a painting that has a lot going on? In this BobBlast, I talk about how I plan and paint, plus how I sketch out my composition so you can better understand my process of constructing a painting.

Here are some key elements I use and their explanations:

•What do you want to communicate?

•What do you want the painting to say?

•What is the story?

With this in mind, I journal in my sketchbook - my ideas, themes, concepts and reasons why I want to paint a particular image. I title the painting first to lock in the concept, using Roget’s Thesaurus for more title ideas - it’s a great tool! This new body of work focuses on “places where I want to be” so, I paint them!

Watch the video to see me paint-sketch these initial elements to construct the painting:

•Select the composition - there are sixteen design compositions I normally using. Select one of the compositions.

•Decide on the focal point - where do you want the eye to go?

•Your light is coming from what direction? Place your shadows accordingly.

•Establish and re-establish your lights and darks. I am constantly re-establishing all of the above until I settle into the painting.

Placement of different “shapes” - such as wine bottles, floral vases, glasses, bowls of fruit… takes thought and planning. Where you put them in your painting will be determined by your mood, message, focal point and light source.

This is how I start to construct a painting, regardless of whether it is objective or non-objective. I keep it simple like this - then let my imagination and creativity take over.

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!

Studio Mentor Workshop - October 5-8, 2023

Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California

2 Spaces Available! Email Kate@RobertBurridge.com

The 2024 Studio Workshop Schedule is on our website!

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

1-Day Intensive Workshops Coming Up!

•October 18, 2023

"Paint the Effect of Light"

Click here for more info

•November 14, 2023

"Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters"

Click here for more info

Don't Miss! - Online Figure Workshops with the Model Pash

November 11-12, 2023

Paint Bob's Circus!

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Click here for more info

• and •

January 5-7, 2024

Drawing and Painting the Figure with Motion and Emotion

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Click here for more info

Check out the other ONLINE WORKSHOPS we Offer!

•Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting - October 28-29, 2023

Click here for more info

•Painting Figures without Painting Figures - December 2-3, 2023

Click here for more info

•Larger Looser Abstract Painting - December 9-10, 2023

Click here for more info

Burridge Critiques Your Art

Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one

Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions

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We have Gift Certificates!

For YOU to give… or for someone to give YOU

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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.

•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 8, 2023

Artists in Action: Artist Self-Promotion Tools

Sponsored by West Business Development Center

Wednesday, 12:00 - 1:30 PM PST

This is a FREE seminar

Click here for more info and to register

•November 11-12, 2023

Paint Bob’s Circus - Online Workshop

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•November 14, 2023

Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters - 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

•March 14-17, 2024

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 22-24, 2024

Robert Burridge 3-Day Instructional Studio Workshop

Painting with Dry Pigments, Chalks & Powders - IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•April 6-7, 2024

Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•April 19-21, 2024

Abstract Figurative - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

For more 2024 Workshop Dates click here!

Hope you have enjoyed these short, weekly blasts!

Click HERE to view BobBlast Issue 483 video!

Constructing a Painting

Love, Peace & Happiness,

Weekly BobBlast 483 - Video run time 16 minutes, 51 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

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•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!

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

Robert Burridge

www.RobertBurridge.com

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