BobBlast 521 - Best of BobBlast “Loosen Up! Two Techniques For Painting Flowers“

Weekly BobBlast Issue 521 Best of BobBlast - Loosen Up! Two Techniques for Painting Flowers Welcome Back to Another BobBlast! I am at Dillman’s Resort teaching a couple of workshops! So this week’s BobBlast is a Best of BobBlast all about “Two Techniques for Painting Flowers.” In this BobBlast, my demos are painting a vase of flowers using two techniques—Making a Mess and Wiping Away. We have an online workshop on this subject coming up, plus it is part of my longest running and favorite workshop to teach—Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting, featuring flowers, landscapes, single subjects, abstracts… all the good stuff in one workshop! Watch the Demo—Keeping the start loose and abstract, I splatter and dribble splashes of clean colors all over a sheet of pre-gessoed watercolor paper. Prior to splashing, I covered the paper with a mid tone of a warm orange-yellow acrylic, let dry. 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.  Then, I scrape lines and add color where I see fit. Remember, these are simple ways to start loose. Creating Abstract Florals with these two techniques are part of my Loosen Up Workshop Retreat! I have an In-Person Loosen Up Workshop in my Studio coming up in a few months! There are more in-person Loosen Up Workshops scheduled in Bar Harbor, Maine and Hermosa Beach, CA. Join us! Reserve your spot today! Loosen Up! Workshop Coming Up •September 11-15, 2024 In-Person, in Bob’s Studio, Arroyo Grande, CA Limited to 10 Painters! Scroll down to 5 Day Instructional Workshops Contact kate@ for questions! Online Monthly Demos •July 17, 2024 “Putting the WOW in your Painting“ •August 14, 2024 “Making Your Mark“ Click here for more info One Day Intensive Workshops Coming Up! •June 26, 2024 “Abstract Florals from Loose Colorful Splatters“ Click here for more info •July 31, 2024 “Neutrals: How to Create & Use! Click here for more info Traveling Bob – In-Person Workshops! •October 14-18, 2024 “Loosen Up Painting Retreat“ Bar Harbor, Maine contact 715-747-2054 or misa@ Click here for more info •October 28-November 1, 2024 “Loosen Up Painting Retreat“ & Gallery Show at GOH Gallery of Hermosa, Hermosa Beach, CA Contact (323) 364-6606 or info@ Click here for more info •January 6-10, 2025 Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson, AZ Sponsored by Madeline Island School of the Arts contact 715-747-2054 or misa@ Click here for more info •January 18-25, 2025 Tropical Escapaint!  Loosen Up Painting Retreat in Mexico Casa de Los Artistas Boca de Tomatlan, 10 miles South of Puerto Vallarta  Contact Robert Masla, (413) 335-4295 Click here for more info Online Figure Workshops! •September 27-29, 2024 “Abstract Figurative“ Sponsored by the Sedona Arts Center Click here for more info •December 6-8, 2024 “Drawing & Painting the Figure with Motion & Emotion“ Click here for more info Paint with Bob in his Studio in Arroyo Grande, California • July 26-28 - Larger & Looser Abstract Painting  • August 8-11 - Mentor Workshop - SOLD OUT • September 9-13 - Loosen Up with Aquamedia Painting • October 3-6 - Mentor Workshop Click here for more info Burridge Critiques Your Art Online honest critiques • Private one-on-one Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Suggestions Click here for more info