BobBlast 597 - Best of BobBlast "What Color is your Background?"

BobBlast #597 Best of BobBlast - What Color is your Background?   Welcome Back to Another BobBlast! Have you ever heard this? “Well… I got the flowers done. What color do I make the background?” It’s no wonder this question is asked often—because the painting is often started backwards. Tone the surface first. You’ve probably heard this expression and most likely read it in your acrylic or oil painting books… Start to paint by first brushing on a warm mid tone on the entire surface. After the mid tone is brushed on, now all that is needed is to paint the darkest darks and establish your lightest lights. These three values start the beginning of any style painting. As you continue to sketch and paint, you should be painting all over—all at the same time. You should be able to stop anytime and still have paint everywhere, all over. What colors to use are dependent on how colors look next to each other. Color against color… which brings up the real question! How do you know which color to choose? Look at the color against the next color. You have seen those color examples of a singular square color placed in the center of another color. Notice how the center color shifts its intensity or its value when placed next to or on top of different colors. To know more about this magical illusion, check out this book, The Art of Color by Johannes Itten (there is also another book, The Elements of Color by the same author). If you are interested in color, this is your book. The point is, color is influenced by the colors surrounding it and next to it. I recommend practicing painting with short, colorful, choppy brush strokes and be mindful that color is effected by the color next to it. So…there are no backgrounds! Black Friday Sale! 50% Discount—Zoomin’ with Bob Online Workshops https://robertburridge.com/zoominwith... no Code needed! 50% Discount—All PRODUCTS (excludes Downloadable Videos and Color Wheel app) Enter Discount Code for products BLACKFRIDAY2025 at Checkout Last Day for Black Friday Sales - 1/5/26! Give the Gift of Bob! Use the Burridge Studio Gift Certificates for: •Artwork•Monthly Demos•Private Lessons•Burridge Sponsored Workshops•Products from RobertBurridge.com https://robertburridge.com/burridge-g... Bob’s Coming to Tucson, Arizona! Abstract Acrylic Painting & Collage Workshop •January 5-9, 2026 Tucson, Arizona at Tanque Verde Ranch Sponsored by Madeline Island School of the Arts contact 715-747-2054 or [email protected] https://www.madelineartschool.com/col... Join Bob in Mexico this January! He is taking his favorite sketchbooks! Loosen Up with Color and Collage •January 24-31, 2026 Casa de Los Artistas Boca de Tomatlán, 10 miles South of Puerto Vallarta  Contact Robert Masla, (413) 335-4295 https://artworkshopvacations.com/feb-... Sign Up for an Online Workshop 2026 schedule is on our website!   •December 15-16, 2025 Small Scale Abstract Paintings - Online Workshop https://robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit...   •January 17-18, 2026 Contemporary Faces Jump Start your Creativity! https://robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit... •January 20, 2026 Abstract Florals from Loose, Colorful Splatters https://robertburridge.com/zoomin-wit... Upcoming Online Demos •December 11, 2025 Choosing Color Combinations that Work •January 15, 2026 Non-Local Color •February 17, 2026 Painting Horizon Lines: Land or Sky? https://robertburridge.com/monthly-de...   Bob's Monthly Demo Recordings for Sale Miss any Demos? You can purchase a recording! https://robertburridge.com/robert-bur...   Schedule Your 2026 Mentor Workshop Today! •March 5-8, 2026 •May 28-31, 2026 •August 6-9, 2026 •October 1-4, 2026 - Sold Out •November 5-8, 2026 These workshops are in-person, Burridge Studio, Arroyo Grande, CA Contact [email protected] We also have SIX 2 and 3 day In-Person Studio Workshops Scheduled for 2026 https://robertburridge.com/burridge-s...   Burridge Online Coaching • Private one-on-one Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Strategies https://robertburridge.com/burridge-o...