BobBlast 464 - "Best of BobBlast - Two Techniques for Painting Flowers"

Weekly BobBlast Issue 464
Best of BobBlast - Two Techniques for Painting Flowers
Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!
In BobBlast Issue #462, I showed how isopropyl alcohol created a very cool effect over wet paint. Thanks for your many comments about that! There were also questions, like… what do I do next?
This Best of BobBlast is all about how I start painting a vase of flowers using two techniques:
Making a Mess
Wiping Away (+ fun with isopropyl alcohol)
First technique is way too much fun - I get to make a mess! First, I prep my watercolor paper by covering it with a mid tone of a warm orange-yellow acrylic paint. Let dry. Next, I splatter and dribble splashes of clean colors all over, keeping the start of the painting very loose and abstract. That's the mess!
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.
The rest of my time, I scrape lines (with my fingers!) and maybe add color where I see fit. Remember, these are simple ways to start loose.
I suggest doing many - a series - at this stage and let dry. After all have dried, go back and add color. But don't stay on these paint sketches too long or you might kill the spontaneous feeling. Don't overpaint - Stop too soon!
You are getting a Best of BobBlast this week, as I am in Greenville, New York teaching an in-person workshop for the Hudson River Vally Art Workshops! If you are interested in an in-person workshop, I will be at the Dillman's in early June! Keep reading…
In-Person Workshops at Dillman's Bay Resort
Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting
• June 4-9, 2023
www.dillmans.com/workshops/aq... Acrylic Painting & Collage
•June 11-15, 2023
www.dillmans.com/workshops/ac...
Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!
• June 20, 2023
“Creating Contrast in Abstract Painting”
• July 11, 2023
“Quick Guide to Working with Neutrals”
• August 9, 2023
“Painting Pears, Pineapples and Peppers!”
• September 6, 2023
“Dramatic Landscapes: Clouds and Skies”
robertburridge.com/monthly-de...
Join us for our NEW 1-Day Online Intensive Workshops
• May 31, 2023
"Abstract Florals from Loose Colorful Splatters"
robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...
• July 15, 2023
"Loose Abstract Landscapes
robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...
•August 31, 2023
"Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels"
robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...
Don't Miss! - Online Figure Workshop
June 23-25, 2023
Drawing & Painting the Model Pash with Motion and Emotion
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...
•and•
November 11-12, 2023
Paint Bob's Circus!
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...
Painting with Dry Pigments, Chalks & Powders
In-Person Workshop: July 21-23, 2023
robertburridge.com/burridge-s...
Learn how to create a singular!
Sponsored by Burridge Studio
Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California
Studio Mentor • Instructional • Figure Painting Workshops
Mentor - August 3-6, 2023
5-day Abstract Mixed Media - June 26-30, 2023
4-day Figure Drawing & Painting - July 6-9, 2023
3-day Dry Pigments, Chalks & Powders - July 21-23, 2023
Studio Mentor • Instructional • Figure Painting Workshops
The Entire 2023 Studio Workshop Schedule is on our website!
robertburridge.com/burridge-s...

[@brucelawson642]

You're a great teacher. Love your show😊

[@bobburridge4696]

Thank you!

[@great-garden-watch]

You must be the most amazing painter I’ve seen. It looks like you’re just slopping paint onto paper and these incredible paintings emerge.

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! I love the visual!

[@hotfix8449]

Hi Bob, you handsome son of a gun. I was hoping you would make a video like this. Awesome. 🙂

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! Now, go paint!

[@OdysseusMDA]

Thanks Bob, you take the anxiety out of painting!!

[@bobburridge4696]

Happy to help! Painting should be fun!

[@user-nq1lv3hr8j]

You are so inspiring to me. I LOVE your approach to having fun in the studio (me, too) and it shows in your amazing work, Bob! You are definitely a painter's painter! Many hugs from this old gal trying to learn to be a better painter way down in Alabama.

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Laura! Now go paint! 🙂

[@TicTocRobotSnot]

Always like seeing your videos pop up, Bob. Gonna have to join one of your excursions one of these days. Have a great Sunday.

[@RobertBurridge]

Yes please! Do come and join!

[@renatez4212]

Hello. I would like to thank you very much for the German subtitle. I like to see the videos, the instructions. wish you all the best

[@RobertBurridge]

You are very welcome! Glad it is working!

[@user-hs4nd7gu1m]

I love watching your videos! Your energy is contagious and your paintings are lovely! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! I am glad you're enjoying the BobBlasts!

[@Renegade_2023]

You never cease to amaze me! Thank you so much. And the birds bees tip? Great idea. Even if it does make you look like a Mad Scientist 🤣 when you rub your hands like that 😆

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! Great comment about the Burt's Bees!

[@jana_4_klu]

Woooow, learn here so much!!! Thanks Bob!

[@RobertBurridgeBobBlast]

Thank you!

[@susanmarcoux7005]

Great! So much fun. Thanks

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you!😊

[@ethiopiaagere5417]

You are the best❤

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you!

[@beritbranch2436]

gorgeous

[@andreaharley4047]

Hi Bob.i love all of these techniques and of course the end result. Brilliant work you are still my favourite artist big time.Thanks Bob.👍👍👍

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Andrea!

[@jillpontiere1814]

I can’t wait to loosen up with this one. Love it!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Jill!

[@keithytube]

Ny heck Bob!, I'm inspired - well done!

[@maggiemae6867]

Thank you!! Love your style. Have a great week Bob.

[@RobertBurridge]

Thanks Maggie!

[@teresajordao6634]

Thank you so much for this great vídeo!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thanks Teresa! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@triggerfish999]

Hi Bob….I’m in the UK …your instructional vids are superb. Thanks!

[@RobertBurridge]

Thanks Roger!

[@donalyndovale-brown3953]

I just discovered your videos last week and I have learned so much! I just adore your videos and positivity :)

[@ouahibachabour5272]

Vous êtes un AS de la peinture. Merci d'avoir partager vos connaissances . Dommage que je sois très très loin. Je ne peux vous suivre que à distance. J'ai suivi presque toutes vos vidéos et je reste toujours fasciné par votre manière de peindre. Encore merci😊

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you for your very kind words! Merci!

[@MariaQueen-xr6ps]

❤❤❤❤

[@psrbplust]

♥ ♥ ♥😍🤩♥♥♥

[@lindabird3437]

beautiful

[@RobertBurridge]

Thank you Linda!

[@debrajol3585]

The last paint was Nickel Azo Gold by Golden, Fluids line. Thanks for sharing Bob🌹

[@RobertBurridge]

And sadly… that paint has been discontinued.

[@adeledallasorr4736]

Where to buy BB color wheel?

[@great-garden-watch]

Ok I’m going to leave a canvas, some paint, and a brush on the table overnight and let the painting paint itself. Gotta be better than what I do! Oh, the alcohol does nothing on my paint. Must have the wrong paint…

[@RobertBurridge]

About the alcohol - are you working on gesso'd paper? Is your paint on thick enough? And wet enough?

[@great-garden-watch]

@@RobertBurridge thanks for replying! The paint is wet, yes, but I’m working on gessoed canvas but very cheap paint. Maybe that’s the problem. I’ll try again with better and thicker acrylic. Then i can try paper…

[@RobertBurridge]

@@great-garden-watch Good plan!