BobBlast 440 - "Start with Colored Gesso For Visual Excitement"

Weekly BobBlast Issue 440
Start with Colored Gesso for Visual Excitement!

Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

I gesso everything I paint - both canvas and watercolor paper. I paint on a colored ground… colored gesso. I see no reason to paint over every inch of the paper. I leave bits of the colored gesso to peek through. I feel the colored gesso helps to unify the the painting.

I'm not looking for perfection of brush marks or solid areas of one color. For me, I prefer to paint visual vibration with an emphasis on visual activity. Plus - I exaggerate with this unpredictable approach. For me, it's called "Hey, I'm painting here!"

As a younger student of painting, I was excited to discover Georges Seurat, Vincent van Gogh, and recently Chuck Close used tiny spots of color to form a larger image. That is the look I am going for when I purposely let some of the undercoat of my gesso peek through. Why? Because I like the overall zing it adds to the artwork. 

Holbein colored gesso is loaded with professional pigments and stays bright when dried. I start by putting Holbein Acrylic Orange Gesso (they have 22 different colors of gesso - including Gold and Silver!) all over the surface. Holbein paints and gesso are heavily pigmented, so I can use lots of water. The gesso can spread out, without loosing its potency of color, as you can see in the video demo.

Here's a bit of basic info about gesso - I put gesso on all my surfaces first - because I expect the paint to react the same, whether it is on canvas, wooden panel or paper. Gesso makes the substrate/surface the same... levels the playing field, so to speak. A coat or two of gesso will produce the same expected results on all surfaces, whether it is your standard white gesso, or a colored gesso.

Standard play time in the studio can start this way:
•Apply Orange Gesso, let dry
•Start painting with acrylic paint, any color
•While top layer is still wet, scrape and scratch into the surface, revealing the colored gesso layer underneath for visual surprises

It's what I refer to as Je ne sais quoi!

Online Workshop - Last Day to register, December 6!
Painting with Dry Pigments, Chalks and Powders 
December 10-11, 2022
Learn how to create a singular!
Sponsored by the Mendocino Art Center
https://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/cl...

We have Gift Certificates!
For YOU to give… or for someone to give YOU
https://robertburridge.com/burridge-g...

Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!
•December 13, 2022
“Painting a Wine Bottle with 3 Strokes”
•January 17, 2023
“How to Start a Body of Work"
•February 1, 2023
“Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters"
https://robertburridge.com/monthly-de...

Interested in a Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting Workshop?
•January 14-15, 2023
Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP
contact register@mendocinoartcenter.org
https://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/cl...
AND
•April 22-23, 2023
Non-Objective Mixed Media Painting - ONLINE WORKSHOP
Contact kate@robertburridge.com
https://robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...

February 17-24, 2023
Abstract Acrylic Painting Workshop in the Bahamas
Dillman's Creative Arts Retreat is offering a fantastic painting experience
with Bob in Elbow Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas.
Contact Dillman’s - (715) 588-3143 or art@dillmans.com
https://www.dillmans.com/workshops/ab...

Join Bob in Mexico! • January 21-28, 2023 
Casa de Los Artistas - Boca de Tomatlán
Contact Robert Masla, (413) 625-8382
https://artworkshopvacations.com/feb-...

Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California
Studio Mentor • Five Day • Figure Painting Workshops
Mentor - March 16-19, 2023
5-day Abstract Mixed Media - June 26-30, 2023
4-day Figure Drawing & Painting - July 6-9, 2023
Studio Mentor • 5 Day Instructional • 4 Day Figure Painting Workshops
The Entire 2023 Studio Workshop Schedule is on our website!
https://robertburridge.com/burridge-s...

Burridge Critiques Your Art
Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one
Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions
https://robertburridge.com/burridge-c...

Burridge Available ArtWork - For sale on our website
New Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!
https://robertburridge.com/available-...