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
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New Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!
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Studio Mentor Workshop - October 5-8, 2023
Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California
2 Spaces Available! Email [email protected]
The 2024 Studio Workshop Schedule is on our website!
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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”
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1-Day Intensive Workshops Coming Up!
•October 18, 2023
"Paint the Effect of Light"
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•November 14, 2023
"Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters"
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Don't Miss! - Online Figure Workshops with the Model Pash
November 11-12, 2023
Paint Bob's Circus!
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
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• and •
January 5-7, 2024
Drawing and Painting the Figure with Motion and Emotion
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
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Check out the other ONLINE WORKSHOPS we Offer!
•Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting - October 28-29, 2023
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•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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Burridge Critiques Your Art
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Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions
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