BobBlast 327 - "Background Colors that Work."

Weekly BobBlast Issue 327
Background Colors that Work.
Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!
Here's a question I hear frequently from painters: "What color should I make the background?" If you want your background to truly be just a background, you may want the color to not be “forward.” In other words, you want the background to “move back” or “recede” and not be the same color intensity, competing with the dominant color.
I have found, by mixing together a complementary color with a dominant color, I eventually get a neutral color that is compatible. I mix the two colors, then add white - as much as I want to achieve the desired neutral. My demo is just that!
In the demo, I’ve taken older paintings that I have decided to simplify! You will watch me paint over the background by using the dominant color - and adding a bit of its complement (color across from the dominant color. Using my Goof-Proof Color Wheel, I mix the dominant with the focal point color. After the initial mixing, I add white to make it opaque. I paint this beautiful, new, neutral color over the parts I want to be less noticeable.
BTW… I don’t think of my painting as a background or foreground color separately. I paint all over, all at the same time - to unify the work. However, I am conscious of color all over, as it recedes or moves to the forefront.
Well I hope that answers your question… Or at least piques your curiosity to give it a try! It’s not the only solution, but this works for me!
If you are interested in making and using NEUTRALS in your paintings, we have perfect the Workshop for you! Contact [e-mail] for info or click on the link:
•Color Lesson: Making and Using Neutrals in your Painting - 12/7-8
We received a few "What I do in my studio for productivity..."
"Clean the studio! It is a small room with everything in there. If I don't clean weekly, I can't work." - Sharon J.
"LOL - I read Bob Blasts and get inspired to paint!!" - Aleta B.
This is what we're up to… Come Join the Fun!
"Zoomin' with Bob!"
Monday & Tuesday, 10-noon PT and 1-3pm PT
Online Workshops in November and December
Click here for more information!
•Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting - 11/30-121/1
•Color Lesson: Making and Using Neutrals in your Painting - 12/7-8
•Art Marketing: Make More $$ - The 10 Must-Do's to Sell your Paintings - 11/14
Saturday, November 14, 1:00-4:00 pm PT
-Don't Miss-
Date Night with Bob!
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Limited to 20 - Click here for more info.
Our Latest Virtual Exhibit! LOVE NOTES…
Join the group and post your LOVE NOTES Paintings.
Here’s what to do next to join our virtual exhibit of Love Notes:
Click on this link:
/ robertburridgestudiolo...
OR search in Facebook for Robert Burridge Studio Love Notes Virtual Exhibit
Join the group
Post your work!
Add your name, title plus more info.
Looking forward to seeing your work!

[@redpancake4652]

No ads in this whole informative videos ?! This man is an angel !!

[@RobertBurridge]

No ads... you're welcome!

[@gregheaney4034]

Thanks Bob. You’ve been an absolute pleasure to watch over the years. Thankyou mate. From Australia👍

[@bobburridge4696]

Thank you! Now go paint! 🙂

[@richaleneemmanuel1516]

Love this guy! Bob, you need to do radio ads too, your voice is gold!

[@RobertBurridge]

That is very kind of you! Thanks.

[@ellau2766]

You’re the best master of teaching ❤️

[@emilyhulsey8024]

Hooray! Finally an answer (that I can grab onto) to a question I have asked so many times! Thank you yet once again Mr B!!

[@suzeaa]

I watch tons of these instructional videos as I get back into painting, and Bob's are among the very best. Excellent theory and clearly explained. Bob gives every artist many valuable tools for color and composition that have been used for centuries. Fascinating!

[@josephtermeer4595]

Sheesh, ive never heard of this formula. When i help beginning artists, i always use your teaching. You help me to help others! God bless you Bob!

[@joycelegate1363]

I love how your short simple videos amaze how much they teach me!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@TMB247]

I Love every Bob Blast! Can't do what you do but ... Life is always fun when I try

[@velvetbees]

What I like is that you know the things people need to know. You are giving us the building blocks to create good works of art. I wish I had tried harder in college in my art classes. But I cherry picked the parts I liked and limited my creative expression. It is hard to draw vases of flowers in water. But I am going to master it. I needed the three tones you talk about light, mid and dark. You break it down into simple ideas, better than my college profs. You have to promise to teach for years to come. Thank you for all the information.

[@cathyserafinowicz6374]

Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge,I’m enjoying your videos ,you’re love of painting shines through!❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Cathy!

[@2kidsnosleep]

The yellow flowers with that light green background makes a spectacular painting! Love it. I will try this background method. Thanks:)

[@michaelwhite5255]

Brilliant Bob. Always struggled to get the right background colour in my portraits or florals. Can’t wait to try out this method. I have learned a lot from your demos, thanks so much from Australia

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Michael!

[@judyhyland682]

So happy I found you

[@davelester1985]

This was a good one, Bob.

[@MsHeidiland]

Grate‼️ For us ithis is a revelation 🤩 Manny greetings from switzerland🇨🇭

[@Engelhafen]

love the irises Bob

[@juliecremer3545]

Thanks Bob - another great common sense lesson to take the stress and hassle out of the background colour - it can make or break a painting!

[@hopefully2224]

You are such a great teacher!

[@spoddie]

Every BobBlast video I watch: Bob's about to destroy that painting Yeah, Bob just destroyed that painting Oh, I see what he did, wow

[@MsHeidiland]

😅👍

[@suzeaa]

Every. Single. Time.

[@thalaagdal2457]

Depuis Paris, bonjour à mon professeur préféré ! Ce cours est celui que j'attendais. Merci beaucoup. Je vais enfin pouvoir appliquer votre méthode. Je vous trouve formidable.

[@RobertBurridge]

Merci!

[@heidiirenenyhammer7890]

Funny way to paint😊i have learned much from your videos. Thank you!🤗

[@RobertBurridge]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying the BobBlasts!

[@sharonwestfineart]

You’re the best! Thank you Bob

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Sharon!

[@moona8781]

thank you for your hard 🙏 work ❤

[@beverlybayonet5849]

Thanks for the background lesson. Im definitely going to try this. 🌹

[@noumine]

fantastic illustration!

[@flamencoartsandmusic4487]

Hi Bob, this is an excellent demo and brilliant idea to mix complementary colors for backgrounds. I've been using your technique and color wheel for my paintings. There were times I got stuck with a color composition and didn't know what to do with my painting. I agonized, got frustrated, procrastinated, and ended up with an unfinished painting. This video instruction is really helpful; it is a game changer for me. It gives me the spark to re-ignite my passion for painting. Thank You so much for sharing so generously. I'm gonna make my background color chart now and finish my paintings. In gratitude. :-)

[@RobertBurridgeBobBlast]

Great for you. Thank you

[@cathleenhamby8246]

Thank you for the best color theory lesson I've ever absorbed! Anxious to see my paintings 'pop' more!

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Another great video. Thanks so much Bob.

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you!

[@xtrago1111]

Thanks Bob Blast!!

[@marleneadelman657]

New to me! Enjoying!

[@signesoonberg8713]

Super approach for background! Thank you for a great tip!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! If you want more info on Neutrals, I am doing a 2-day Online Workshop, December 2-3. Let me know if you want more info!

[@TrueLoveX1027]

Simple. Brilliant. Gorgeous! Thanks Bob! Blessings to you. xx

[@mariliansantilli7756]

CONGRATULATIONS BEAUTIFUL WORK ART!!!!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you!

[@andreaharutunian3838]

Great advice , love all your videos!

[@janecobb3302]

Thanks so much for this, Bob! It's very helpful. ...I have great memories of doing that fun figurative abstracts class with you at the Hudson River Art Workshops.

[@luvurobert]

You are the brilliant, mad scientist of painting and I love you, Mr. Burridge! ❤️

[@lisengel2498]

I am really impressed with the big, soft brush strokes - such a fine loose vibration making the paintings into Songs of color harmonies - so beautifull

[@suel4269]

Excellent easy to remember tip! Thankyou! I’ll be using this for gouache .

[@RobertBurridge]

Thanks!

[@powderriverfarrier]

The man is brilliant.

[@RobertBurridge]

Aww... Thanks!

[@bibibrin5035]

Love this one!!! Thank you, Bob 👍🤩

[@sandarahcatmom9897]

So generous with your teachings; thank you! I always get stuck on backgrounds, this is a great remedy for me.

[@jumperstartful]

excellent class on neutrals' very important, what i learned from Manet book.

[@raincloud706]

Thank you very much for such a good color tips, looking forward for more tutorials specially for us who have no time or too far to attend your workshops 😎😎😎😎😎

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

Brilliant advice, thank you!

[@tingeling4443]

Hi Bob, you are Amazing 👍😊🦋

[@morninrain10]

The most informative videos on technique ever! Thank you

[@sandirodman6756]

I love your lessons! Thank you! Hope you are well!

[@dawnitalutz1953]

I'm learning so much from you. Thank you.

[@Jenny-yl2hw]

Thank you for a simple explanation of my problem..

[@SmartMeditationFilms]

Awesome Bob, thank you!!!!!

[@dorothyatchison1825]

Excellent! Thank you Bob ...

[@karlasolomon8128]

I love your videos bc I watch them when I am awake but haven’t gotten moving yet, and they almost always make me want to go to my studio and try something out. Thank you!

[@fractilians7]

Just found your channel and am really loving it! Love your topics and such great enthusiasm! I used to work at various art centers and got to work with awesome visiting artists and you reminded me of that. Maybe one day I can take one of your fun sounding workshops...when things return to normal:)

[@sandrarunnelscronin5812]

I bought your book am so glad. You are a great teacher as well as a artist. Sandra

[@sarahsilve3106]

Thank You! Simple and so useful!

[@bananashaveice]

Amazing transformations!! Take care!

[@hericklf3401]

I LOVE YOU!!! SO THANKS FOR THIS TIPS!!!!

[@alisturkericmacnanty159]

Fantastic formula! I have a LOT of work ahead of me...

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! Check out my online workshops too...

[@alisturkericmacnanty159]

I shall Mr. Burridge!

[@vagabondslotmachine]

Nice. Stay healthy, Bob

[@liber7773]

Thanks for this video Bob! It was very informative and helpful for me

[@dianecharest8365]

You are brilliant!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Diane!

[@anitam7547]

Thank you, Robert! This lesson quietened some of my confused brain squirrels :o)

[@madhurimaartandcraft9696]

Amazing👍👍 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💐💐

[@nutritionalweightwellnessl1450]

Great video very helpful thanks Bob

[@balgrantango460]

Thanks for the inspiration…Stay safe!!!

[@alexandrasanches2473]

Só só well explaned! I just envoyer it so much! Thankyou!

[@duncanfrere2656]

Great episode. Very useful!

[@Seneca85]

Brilliant ! Thank You!

[@lucretiaonutube]

Great video, as always.. Take care, keep safe.

[@lindatoms9271]

Just thought I'd pop in today and this one hit the spot. I have a nice painting I've done but the background has really bothered me. I look at it every now and then and think, How can I change it? Well now I know. I think this will be the fix that takes it from eh to aww.

[@observerfx212]

Briliant!

[@maryamvossoughi9341]

Great technique 👌🏻

[@MaryGadsby]

Fabulous tip, thank you!

[@tumblingrosesstudio]

My favorite 😍

[@damien706]

Thank you! X

[@safiati]

Her dersinizde yeni teknikler öğreniyorum.Paylaşımlarınız için çok teşekkürler ayrıca çeviriyi Türkçe de açtığınız için de teşekkürler..

[@marwahsultan1174]

Love it thank you ❤

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you!

[@yagababa6663]

Thank you, l am just thinking about a background colour ❤

[@MercyCuenca]

I love this!

[@MercyCuenca]

Any tips on taking this to other arts like card making or coloring line images?

[@RobertBurridgeBobBlast]

@@MercyCuenca You can use neutrals in whatever art you are making!

[@MercyCuenca]

@@RobertBurridgeBobBlast, thank you, will give it a go!

[@derekfernandez2317]

This video is amazing, thank you!! 3:13 I love your daily sketches! What material are they painted on? Do you mask them with tape to get that edge? Thanks again!

[@lindamoe7628]

This is great, using your pallet or the other one. Using only 3 colors plus black and white. You won't probably answer this on here but your pallet is brown wrapping paper? What have you used for pallets? Have you tried freezer paper? It has a waxy side. Can you save your paints or do you just toss them out? I'm always tossing out paint. If your working large how do you save your pallet for another day? Or don't you.. Great talk , Thank you

[@Engelhafen]

Stay well

[@StephanieYosten]

Omg you are so helpful

[@RobertBurridgeBobBlast]

Thank you!

[@SpottedBullet]

Thanks Bob! =)

[@dh6035]

Wow. Stupid simple. Thank you!

[@dr.deloresfriedman1637]

Dear Bob. You bring so much Joy and Freeness to painting. I have a question re.the two complementary colors if a main color is not primary. like brown and a peachy flesh tone are the two main colors. How can I get your color wheel.?

[@marmirymat]

I love your videos SO much!! Please tell me though...you have purple as the main color and then you picked green to add to it with white, to make the background. Is yellow not the complimentary color to purple? Why green? I thought I understood the your theory now I'm confused.

[@franzantube]

Me encanta tu locura.

[@danielahreniuc9871]

Hi Bob, I don’t want to be rude but is to match messy in your atelier . My mother was painting , she work for en art company , I’m painting too and never was so match ,,caler ,, everywhere hahaha . And up to me don’t work together the messy and the beauty . Have a nice day !

[@milica999_2]

Can you please share more of your techniques? 😊

[@GabrielStocktonWatercolors]

I hope to teach like you

[@ringoflightcrafts]

Where can I get a color wheel, and what the name of the one you use? I love your artwork, just beautiful.

[@beckybequette8212]

Help? I am fairly new (about 1 year) learning from videos. Someone asked me to paint her 5 dogs - they are all black/white/red brown/gray. Shelties & border collies. I'm having problems deciding what to do with the background of the painting.

[@RobertBurridge]

Hi Becky, For your background, I suggest using a mixture of the colors as the dogs... but only a soft mixture of these colors with A LOT of white added. Keep the mixture light and soft; have lots of contrast between the dogs and the background. Hope this helps!

[@fiddler1252]

Are they acrylic or watercolour paints?

[@nadersafipour5003]

Hi Bob, what kind of brush are you using?

[@amandasanders1141]

Really useful! What paper do you use for your daily warm ups Bob?

[@DG-mv6zw]

Check out some of Bob's other videos. He discusses his choice of paper very often.

[@susanfarley1332]

What do you do with contrasting colors?

[@bobburridge4696]

Hi Susan - ask me that question in a different way. Do you mean contrasting colors in the background? I would love to answer your question. Bob

[@weepingangel8190]

the short answer is yellow the long answer is yellower

[@monaandfareed4036]

Love u from Pakistan