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Welcome Back...  Open Air Studio!
We just completed a week long workshop/vacation at the Casa de Los Artistas, ten miles south of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Nineteen painters from the USA, Canada and Mexico painted daily, starting out on our shaded open air studio patio, overlooking below the lively fishing village and the deep azure sea just beyond the lagoon. The sounds and ambiance of music and roosters celebrated each day while we painted in the comfort and hospitality of our generous hosts, Robert Masla and Monica Levine, at their private home and studio.  Dinner on the Beach This was my first visit at La Casa following an impressive list of workshop instructors who return often. The students said it best - "Worth every penny" "Relaxing, painting and shopping!" "Authentic Mexican cooking - made with love and served daily (delicious!)" "Salsa lessons and candle light dinners on the beach" "Lots of painting time and demos."
 Hummingbird
A side note: I'm not a world shopper- but on our afternoon shopping spree, I purchased an authentic shaman-made, mystical thread painting of a hummingbird, surrounded by the symbol for rain. As soon as we arrived home in draught-ridden California, yep, it rained - It worked! Just sayin'.  Painting on Location
So if you enjoy modern, Mexican creature comforts, painting and a little adventure, sign up for one of their famous workshops! www.artworkshopvacations.com We are returning to teach another workshop, January 2016.  View out the Studio
Lots of Figure Workshops coming up!
 Bob in Figure Workshop
About these workshops - Contemporary Abstract Figure & Collage is all about drawing and painting the contemporary figure. If you ever wanted to learn how to paint the freestyle abstract figure, this workshop is for you! Variety of poses, lots of paint sketching and gestural painting. Be prepared to paint looser, bolder, freer, lighter and more intuitively. Your "drawing skills" are not a prerequisite. This class is fun for everyone!  Dillman's Figure Workshop
Contemporary Abstract Figure Painting & Collage Buenaventura Art Association March 27 - 29, 2014 Ventura, California Contact Regina or Sharon, info@buenaventuragallery.org or call (805) 648-1235  Twist and Vogue Pose
Contemporary Abstract Figure Painting & Collage Sedona Arts Center May 5 - 9, 2014 Sedona, Arizona Call (888) 954-4442 or (928) 282-3809 Clck here for more info.
 Sedona Workshop
Contemporary Abstract Figure Painting & Collage Dillman's Creative Arts Foundation June 16 - 20, 2014 Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin Contact vacations@dillmans.com or call (715) 588-3142  Wall of Figures
The Reason We Draw  Bob Drawing Drawing Tools Artists have been making their marks forever. Lascaux cave drawings using burn sticks, stones and dirt. Today's drawing tools are varied and more available than ever. I've experimented with most and have settled down with a few of my favorites. •Charcoal - soft (not compressed) They are available as 1/4" willow sticks, Jumbo 1" stubs, square blocks and even charcoal powder. I have been using General Pencil and Soho Charcoal & Sketch Squares. •Pastel Blocks - white and all colors - I like Dakota Art Pastels (www.dakotapastels.com) and Paul deMarrais Oil Sticks (www.pauldemarrais.com) •Conte Color blocks - brick red is my favorite!
 Drawing Tools
•Pencils - Water soluble. Derwent Graphitone 8B (black) continues to be my favorite. Also Derwent Inktense Pencils & Blocks. Draw as a pencil and wet brush later or dip in water and draw - or draw on wet paper. All have slightly different effects.Permanent when dried.  Lyra Graphite Crayons •Lyra Graphite Crayons - soft drawing crayons. Comes in water soluble and non-water soluble. •Drawing Inks - Should be acrylic based - acrylic fluid brands, such as Liquitex Professional Acrylic Ink and Holbein Drawing Inks. •BFK Rives Drawing Paper - Mould made in France with a smooth absorbent surface, this 100% acid-free, soft paper is a good surface for my soft charcoal drawings.  Strathmore Toned Gray Paper
•Strathmore 400 series, Recycled Toned Gray Sketch Pads - This warm gray paper is great for darks and light color pastel. The mid tone is already there. Whatever you choose from the above list, be certain when dried, the drawing is permanent and doesn't lift when re-wet. This feature allows me to paint on top with transparent dyes and paint without dissolving the drawing underneath. Drawing Lesson Step-by-Step - "Rembrandt Style" Lighting  Drawing Lesson Step 1
Using soft black charcoal on a toned gray sketch pad, I begin at the top with black shapes to reveal the head and torso- Negative shape drawing.  Drawing Lesson Step 2 I continue now on the bottom half of the figure - the Positive shapes. This is what I refer to as "Rembrandt Lighting", the emphasis being the portrait and the torso.  Drawing Lesson Step 3
At this point, soften the edges you want to disappear and fade away. Keep the figure in sharp focus. The background mid tone gray of the paper, plus the darkest black of the charcoal is now ready for the white pastel highlights.  Drawing Lesson Finished
The final sketch should have an overall cohesiveness of darks against lights, hard and soft edges, and an emphasis on the torso and head. Recommended Book for Drawing  Henry Yan's Figure Drawing Of all the drawing books you and I own (the ones we don't look at anymore), this book could be our final and, dare I say, the best I have seen. Henry Yan's Figure Drawing, Techniques and Tips. The drawings, created in the teaching studios of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco are all charcoal pencil, compressed charcoal and vine charcoal on toned paper. Wow, this guy can draw! Rich, powerful, black and white studies and longer poses fill every page. Mr. Yan's confidence and influential images are a result of twenty years teaching at the Academy. You need to see his drawings. Get this book! Henry Yan's Figure Drawing, Techniques and Tips Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Aardvark Global Publication (2006) Language: English ISBN-10: 1427610231 ISBN-13: 978-1427610232 Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.9 x 0.6 inches Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
And don't forget about my DVD Robert Burridge's Contemporary Figure Painting for the Modern Artist DVD
Click here here for information and ordering! Ask Kate about Art Marketing
We have Art Marketing Workshops Coming Up! Art Marketing for the Busy Artist Sunday, March 30, 2014 Buenaventura Art Association Ventura, California Contact Regina or Sharon, info@buenaventuragallery.org or call (805) 648-1235
Art Marketing for the Busy Artist Sunday, August 17, 2014 Leading Edge Art Workshops Calgary, Alberta, Canada Contact Louise Hall (403) 233-7389 or louise.hall@shaw.ca Your Website - Top 10 Must Have's
We are always updating and reworking our website! With all the new connected sites, social media and blogs out there - you still do need a website. Think of it as your storefront. Here are some tips that we have discovered along the way that has certainly helped us stay focused. 1. A domain name that incorporates your brand - your NAME. Make it easy for people to find you. Assignment - google yourself. Check to see if your domain name is available. You can use godaddy.com to search. Here's an older book by Seth Godin about websites. The info in the book is still very viable and current. It's a small book too and easy to read! 
The Big Red Fez: How to Make any Website Better Paperback: 112 pages Publisher: Free Press; 1st Fireside Ed edition (January 18, 2002) Language: English ISBN-10: 0743227905 ISBN-13: 978-0743227902 Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 5.5 x 8.4 inches Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces Check out our Art Marketing Workbook and DVD!
Click here for details for Hot Art Marketing Workbook. Click here for details for Making Money with your Art DVD. The photo below was taken at our workshop at Casa de los Artistas. It was during a cooking lesson! We mainly drank wine, took photos and watched in awe! We assisted with chile-prep for a delicious recipe "Chiles en Nogada" and even made corn tortillas. Yum yum!  Kate your Art Marketing Girl!
Click HERE for top of page.
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Product in the Spotlight
Introducing the Burridge Studio App
 Introducing the Burridge Studio app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Create show-stopping paintings with the help of artist, Robert Burridge. The Burridge Studio app features his Goof-Proof Color Wheel as well as several reference charts that help you achieve your painting goals, from Rembrandt-style lighting and painting the illusion of glass, to dynamic design compositions. Pinch to zoom, swipe and scroll through charts to get a better view of the techniques that Robert Burridge uses. New version 3.0.3, click here to view in iTunes Store. The Burridge Studio App is free - there are in-app purchases for the Color Wheel app and the 3 Studio Charts apps.
 Color Wheel app
The Burridge Color Wheel app is pretty cool! It is interactive so you can touch the dominant color on the device's screen and it moves to reveal the color combination. Also included in this app is a image gallery of finished paintings and color combination demos, all identified with their color combination. Color Comparison Chart and instructions are also included. Looks great on Kate's iPad Mini and my iPad.
In App Purchases
Color Wheel App - $9.99 Studio Charts Apps - $4.99/each Click here to view in iTunes Store Featured Product - New Holbein Artist Acrylic The Best Holbein Paint Just Got Better!  Bob and New Holbein Artist Acrylic
How did the best acrylic paint get better? It got bigger! From a small 40ml tube to the now larger 60ml tube. And some new colors I've never seen before. The paint is still 100% acrylic polymer, and when fully dried stays flexible.  My Holbein Acrylic Paint Color Chart
To familiarize myself with the new names and colors, I made my own color chart of every color they offer. This heavy body acrylic is a top professional paint I use everyday in my studio. No fillers. Just pure color pigment and me! No need for any medium, ever. Burridge Color Comparison Chart  New Color Comparison Chart
This new and improved Color Comparison Chart is now included in both our Color Wheel Studio Charts and Travel Wheels. We have added a few more paint manufacturers to make it even easier to identify your goof-proof color combinations. You can download a PDF of the new Color Comparison Chart by clicking here. Bob's Resource List of Favorite Stuff for his Studio! I am always asked at my workshops - What are my favorite art materials I work with in my studio? So, I put together this rather complete list - from paint to paper to brushes; varnishes to mediums; barrier creams to signing pens! As I discover more products and fall in love with them, I will add to my list. These are the products and materials that work for me! Click here to see my New Resource List! Creativity and Improvisation in the Studio
 Bob's Magic Studio!
This springtime we are confronted with a multitude of articles written about, well, Spring! Renewal, rebirth, clearing out, editing one's life and reproduction. Personally, I refocus. Yes, besides clearing out the studio of extraneous accumulation, I also rewrite my annual goals, restating my sense of purpose in the studio - and in my work. For inspiration and a clearer focus, I read books on creativity. I consider the reading time an investment in my craft to making new original work. The current books I'm reading (and re-reading) for clarity, focus, knowledge and inspiration are a mixed bag - from light-hearted to deep human consciousness. All on creativity.  Creativity: Unconventional Wisdom
Creativity: Unconventional Wisdom from 20 Accomplished Minds by Herbert M. Meyers and Richard Gerstman Palgrave Macmillan publisher ISBN-10: 0230001343 ISBN-13: 978-0230001343
 Free Play Improvisation
Free Play: Improvisation in Life and Art G.P. Putnam's Sons publisher ISBN-10: 0874776317 ISBN-13: 978-0874776317  Creative Authenticity
Creative Authenticity: 16 Principles to Clarify and Deepen your Artistic Vision by Ian Roberts Atelier Saint-Luc Press publisher ISBN-10: 0972872329 ISBN-13: 978-0972872324  Art & Fear
Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland Image Continuum Press publisher ISBN-10: 0961454733 ISBN-13: 978-0961454739
 A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness
A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness by V.S.Ramachandran Plume publisher ISBN-10: 0131872788 And you most likely have many more books that are your favorites. These are all I can handle right now! I got to go paint. P.S. Everyday spent in the studio is Spring Time! Creativity Combo Online Special  In keeping with creativity and improvisation, we are offering a special online Creativity combo of Bob's Loosen Up Workbook & Studio Notes, Start Abstract Painting Today DVD and Loosen Up Techniques... Improv in the Studio DVD. Combo $64.99 + shipping & handling + sales tax (CA residents) Click here for more info and to order.
Gotta Have Music in the Studio
 As mentioned in earlier newsletters, the studio subscribes to the Pandora app. You know this stuff. I pay a nominal fee NOT to hear commercials or chatter- just music of my choice. Hint - I change the tempo in the studio by changing stations. Here are three I really like to paint with. 
Keith Jarrett Radio - Pianist, composer and band leader, he is one of my favorites. Jarrett is a prolific, innovative, original musician who plays mostly extemporaneous jazz piano. Classically trained, his genius exudes melodic confidence from improv to crazy, goofball, happy piano music. Great station to paint with. 
Philip Glass Radio - Wow, speaking of improvisation and beauty, the musically creative space Philip Glass makes in my studio is awesome to paint in. His genius is mostly recognized the moment you hear the beautiful rhythm of musical minimalism. The immediate use of small melodic notes (not only great background music for painting), his symphonic sounds are often featured as background in powerful and thoughtful films. Just know the general overall music background can be so melodic, you might fall asleep. 
Thievery Corporation makes abstract instrumental, mid-tempo dance (painting) music. Think jazz and trippy-hop. Throw in a little Asian influence, rhythmic Indian tempo, smooth it all out and you pretty much have all the artists on the Thievery Corporation Radio. When undecided on the background music for the day, you just might go to Thievery Corporation Radio. Gets me revved up early in the day! Bob's Favorite Magazine (this month!)
 ARTFORUM Magazine
Just when we're all cutting back on renewing our magazine subscriptions, I come along and suggest Artforum International, a heavy, 10-1/2 inch square publication. The magazine is published ten times a year, September through May, along with an annual summer issue. It informs me what is going on the world over. Kate calls it my "love/hate relationship" magazine. Some months I just hate the featured art or articles, while other months I am inspired with their original dialogue and point of view. It's pretty much cutting edge. I say "heavy" because the paper is high quality- it's not whimpy Newsweek paper. All of which means you are reading and holding a magazine of value.  BOOKFORUM Magazine, current issue
And one more thing! Bi-monthly, Artforum arrives wrapped with a folded, tabloid-size review of recent art books - Bookforum. Published by Artforum International this quality magazine features an overwhelming plethora of art books and excellent reviews. Just reading the featured reviews gets me all stirred up! Oh boy - more books! Thank You Subscribers!
 We have a new "Gift with Purchase" – a pamphlet called How to Paint from Your Heart. It is filled with inspiration, my thoughts on completing and critiquing your own work - plus a Quick Guide to Making a Goof Proof Painting in ten steps, where my five C's are prominent.  Permission Wrist Band Another gift with purchase is a Permission Wrist Band to remind you to paint the way you have always wanted to paint! Ponder This!
 Bob and Oil Pastel Drawing •Better to burn out, than to fade away. •Name the painting first. Then you'll know when the painting is done! It's something like dreaming up perfect life goal ideas. Write them all down and place in your dream bucket, your bucket list. Every time you get another life goal idea, write it down and into the bucket. In my bucket list, I like to say "Write it down so you can fill'er up!" Hey, this ritual keeps me spinning forward- to the right. You know, like our planet. Recommended Websites Click here to see the Photos from our Cuba Trip thru Dillman's YouTube Channels - What I like to look at when I'm not painting!
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