BobBlast 527 - "Big Painting from a Small Painting"

Weekly BobBlast Issue 527
Big Painting from a Small Painting
Welcome Back to Another BobBlast!
Here’s a frequent question I hear-“How to transition from a small painting to making that small painting larger.” I can share my experience and offer my advice.
Thirty years ago I thought that projecting a 35mm slide of a small painting onto a large canvas was a great idea! I could save time and paint it accurately. As you may have already figured out, it didn’t quite work out as I planned… it was missing something. It felt contrived, forced and boring. The painting looked accurate, but that was it. It wasn’t fresh, lucid or fun to look at (or do). This technique didn’t save me anytime either-plus I didn’t feel like a painter. I was merely copying myself twice… and larger! Now, I simply take a deep breath, move and paint physically larger.
Here is my list about painting bigger, on paper and canvas-Start Larger!
1. Have a BIG IDEA! Write and draw about it in your sketch book. Then look at your drawings and imagine them on your large canvas. Title the painting.
2. Loosen up initially. Paint the large areas first. Paint loosely all over and include one focal point.
3. Use bigger brushes… no tiny watercolor brushes. Look for one inch up to three inch brushes. There is no perfect brush. You choose, but choose the next size larger.
4. Bigger water buckets. Not a tall gallon type, but a lower and wider style-they don’t fall over. My favorites are 8” x 8” and three inches deep. Have several ready.
5. Paint on larger surfaces, whether it is watercolor paper or canvas. Try a roll of watercolor paper to really paint looser and larger. For a larger size, try two canvases to read as one when together. Two is a diptych, three is a triptych and four or more is a polyptych… cool huh?
For me, on any size format, it’s still a painting-whether it is small or large. It’s not about perfection-it’s about improvisation and your interpretation. And most importantly, communication. It doesn’t matter how you communicate, it just matters that you do.
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Painting Light & Shadow on August 15, 2024.
You will practice with darks and lights, contrast and color to make your work more dimensional and alive. The information in this workshop may change your entire way of painting! More choices, more color. Light up your next painting with more light!
•August 15, 2024
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•January 18-25, 2025
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Critiques • Coaching • Comments • Strategies
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[@patstats1]

I’ve been painting for decades but always learn something watching Bob’s Blasts… ”Dreaming with my eyes open." I just love that!

[@K5VGU]

Probably said this before, but I love these Bob Blasts!

[@morganantoinettephoenix1107]

'Paint it like you mean it!' Love that.

[@MarianneStClair]

Thanks for
All your great videos Bob

[@donnalama65]

You’re such an inspiration! Thank you again and again!

[@susanfield2444]

Wonderful as always

[@tesskansas]

You are so very cool. I am lucky to have your videos jump up. Very excited.

[@Artbytsh]

Great advice from the brilliant Bob! Keep it up.

[@sweetsusan146]

You are a lot of fun to watch. I like your attitude towards your art and art. 😊
I have gotten some tips from you.
I'm an artist, too.
I paint abstract, and some portraits as well as landscape. I don't paint everyday, but when I do paint it's such a joy to do. I have some of my art on here.
Thanks for your videos 🖼🌻🌻🌻

[@debtempleton9424]

Love your videos Bob. You are a star! Keep them coming please.

[@candicebrunello1844]

Good to see you are well. You are my hero. That color wheel is the most awesome thing ever. Love your videos! Opera...Love It

[@thillsquad3647]

Great video 😀

[@teresajordao6634]

Thank you for this great vídeo! 💛💚💛💚

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Fantastic as always Bob. Thank you 😊

[@janapeony8561]

Thank you Bob, I love your vids.

[@RobertBurridgeBobBlast]

Thank you!

[@victoria-mennaperez2230]

good lesson learned here. Thank you.

[@Karibee61]

Bob! You are fabulous! Thank you for your wonderful videos and brilliant talent. Much love and peace from London UK ❤

[@Engelhafen]

Bob are you going to make one of those big pears that’s visible from space? 😁

[@RobertBattye-x1f]

Bob you are all ways got good Ideas woch in you on your videos you have help me lots thank you and you always have great videos 😂

[@miafern294]

Wonderful video, thank you

[@manuelazanudio4618]

Tú eres una gran persona!✨✨

[@blackpoppymagazine]

Best painted coffee cup I've ever seen!!! Love U Bob!!

[@leannekieth4771]

Hi from Ontario Orillia just wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos. What show was it that you did of the one behind you. The yellow picture with circles and lots of colour thankyou Sir 😊

[@tesskansas]

I am smiling

[@anitasosnowska7896]

😊

[@Freeyourself206]

the absolute greats in history have used camera obscura or lucida. they used non electric projections. it is not cheating and it works great.

[@mariastogiannou8503]

💝👍🙏