Weekly BobBlast Issue 474
Good Basic Info about Painting on Watercolor Papers
Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!

Traditionally, painters prefer to paint on both paper and canvas. The most popular single sheet sizes of watercolor paper are available in 22x30 inches. Papers are also available in various standard sizes in pads or blocks. There are large rolls of watercolor paper - it’s liberating to work on a roll 48 inches wide by 30 feet long! Imagine what you can create on paper that large?

Watercolor paper comes in varying thicknesses too - I generally paint on 140 lb or 300 lb. For my work using collage, I get the best results with the 300 lb Kilimanjaro watercolor paper. It remains flat when wet. The 140 lb is ideal for my small warmup paintings.

Another choice to consider is the “finish” of the surface. It will either be Hot Press (HP) or Cold Press (CP). Hot press is smooth, while cold press has a slight “tooth” in the texture. Paint glides on differently on both choices of paper. Try them both and decide!

So why do I gesso my watercolor paper? I like the feel of a pre-gessoed surface. I want the paint to react the same, whether I am working on paper or canvas. I prefer brushing or wiping a professional-quality, thick gesso over the entire surface. Plus, painting on a dried gessoed surface gives me a much longer paint time for improvisation and play.

Watch the demo - I use a beautiful gold gesso by Holbein. They have 23 colors of gesso.

The final part of this BobBlast is about tearing the watercolor paper. I like to work on a smaller format for my warmups - so I tear the paper into six, 10x10 inch squares. I demo this part too! Here are the steps:
•Fold the paper to the desired size and flatten the fold
•Fold back and forth several times
•With your hands, start the tear at the top
•Tear the paper away from itself
•Deckled edges!

Practice!

Enjoying watching Bob's Demos? Join Bob Online!
• August 9, 2023
“Painting Pears, Pineapples and Peppers!”
• September 6, 2023
“Dramatic Landscapes: Clouds and Skies”
• October 3, 2023
“3 Easy Ways to Draw & Paint the Figure”
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Want more info and a hands-on experience about Neutrals?
We have an online workshop coming up!
Neutrals! How to Create & Use
•August 26-27, 2023
Color is exciting! Bright colors scream color! Neutrals whisper…
This Burridge workshop is all about neutral colors.
How to make neutrals and how to use neutral colors effectively in your paintings.
•You will make your own Neutral Color Chart as a studio reference
•You will learn to “grey down” color and discover which colors make neutrals pop
•Plenty of time for experimentation in mixing your favorite neutrals
•Making mud verses working with neutrals - Bob will assist you in learning the difference
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Artists in Action: The Art of Pricing
Sponsored by West Business Development Center 
August 8, 2023
Tuesday, 12:00 - 1:30 PM PST
This is a FREE webinar!
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Join us for our NEW 1-Day Online Intensive Workshops
•August 31, 2023
"Painting the Illusion of Glass Vessels"
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•September 27, 2023
"Bob's Goof-Proof Color Wheel Intensive"
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Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California
Studio Mentor • Instructional • Figure Painting Workshops
5-day Loosen Up with Aquamedia - September 11-15, 2023
Studio Mentor Workshop - October 5-8, 2023
Studio Mentor • Instructional • Figure Painting Workshops
The 2024 Studio Workshop Schedule is coming soon!
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Don't Miss! - Online Figure Workshops
September 29 - October 1, 2023
Abstract Figurative
Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center
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•and•
November 11-12, 2023
Paint Bob's Circus!
Sponsored by Robert Burridge Studio
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Burridge Critiques Your Art
Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one
Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions
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We have Gift Certificates!
For YOU to give… or for someone to give YOU
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Burridge Available ArtWork - For sale on our website
New Available Work and Small Original Paint Sketches!
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