Weekly BobBlast Issue 491

Black Paint - Include It!

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

The color black has been used in art making since Cro-Magnon cave painters discovered carbon black and soot. They communicated their story on cave walls, smudging and drawing their observations as best they could. Today, Roget’s Thesaurus lists twenty different colors of black. Fortunately, I paint my story using just four blacks from Holbein’s Artist Acrylics:

•Ivory

•Mars

•Lamp

•Primary

I made a reference chart to hang in my studio of these different black acrylics to show the solid and watered-down tints—mostly because I can’t recall which blacks are warm and which are cool!

I have heard many others say that “You can’t use black in your paintings” and I have always said, “Why not? They sell it in art stores!” Henri Matisse, Franz Kline and Robert Motherwell (as well as many others) used a lot of black in their work. Those artists were my inspiration to include the color black in my palette… their black outlines and solid swarths of black brush work had me engaged.

In the video, I demo a pear painting—Practice this exercise, using only the three values of black (black, grey and light grey). My materials are:

•Watercolor paper

•Black acrylic paint

•White acrylic paint

•One inch brush

•Big bucket of water

With your watercolor paper in front of you, decide on the direction of your light source. Draw your pear shape with black paint, then brush in your darkest dark (your black acrylic, right out of the tube). Add a mid tone of grey (your black acrylic with white acrylic added). Then, for your lightest light, add even more white acrylic paint to your mid tone. This lightest tone of black will be on the brighter side of your pear. There you have it—a black and white monochromatic painting.

A final point, the painting with color, don’t be afraid of including the color black in your palette. A small dab of black on the painting helps to add deeper contrast, thereby making the brights even brighter. I also create my neutrals by adding a dab of black to “grey-down” the colors a bit.

See you in the art store!

Want to know more about how to paint Bob's Colors,

plus Neutrals and Black? We have a Workshop for that!

•Neutrals - How to Create & Use

January 25, 2024

Click here for more info

Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!

•December 6, 2023

“Choosing Color Combinations that Work”

Click here for more info + more demos in 2024!

Check out more ONLINE WORKSHOPS we offer!

•Painting Figures without Painting Figures

December 2-3, 2023

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

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•Abstract Painting & Collage - April 6-7, 2024

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•Painting with Dry Pigments, Chalks and Powders - April 27-28, 2024

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Don't Miss!

Drawing and Painting the Figure with Motion & Emotion

January 5-7, 2024

Online Figure Workshop with the Model Pash

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

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New Burridge ArtWork - For sale on our website

Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!

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Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California

The 2024 Studio Workshop Schedule is on our website!

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Burridge Critiques Your Art

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Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions

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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.

•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 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

•December 12, 2023

Figures in an Abstract Landscape! - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

2024

•January 3, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Online Demo

“Shadows!”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•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 25, 2024

Neutrals! How to Create and Use - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more information.

•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 6, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Online Demo

“Using the Golden Section Composition”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.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 5, 2024

Bob’s Monthly Online Demo

“Painting with Luminous Colors”

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

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 20, 2024

Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters - ONLINE WORKSHOP

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

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

•May 12-18, 2024

Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting

Hudson Valley Art Workshops, Greenville, NY

Contact Kim LaPolla (518) 966-5219 or (888) 665-0044

Click here for more info

•May 20-24, 2024

Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage

Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff

Boone, North Carolina

•June 1-2, 2024

Paint Bob’s Circus! - Online Workshop

Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio

Contact kate@robertburridge.com

Click here for more info

•June 10-14, 2024

Robert Burridge 5-Day Instructional Studio Workshop

Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage

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

•June 17-20, 2024

Non-Objective Mixed Media

Dillman’s Art Workshop Retreat, Lac du Flambeau, WI

Contact (715) 588-3143 or art@dillmans.com

•June 22-23, 2024

Loose Florals & Landscapes

Dillman’s Art Workshop Retreat, Lac du Flambeau, WI

Contact (715) 588-3143 or art@dillmans.com

For more 2024 Workshop Dates click here!

Hope you have enjoyed these short, weekly blasts!

Click HERE to view BobBlast Issue 491 video!

Black Paint - Include It!

Love, Peace & Happiness,

Weekly BobBlast 491 - Video run time 13 minutes, 56 seconds

BLACK FRIDAY SALE

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Last Day - December 3!

Enter Discount Code

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(excludes Vimeo and Color Wheel app)

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Robert Burridge

www.RobertBurridge.com

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