12 Tips for Landscape Painting: How to Capture Your First Impression

[@christocr]

It always amazes me the way James can start a painting that looks so chaotic and then a few more minutes into the work it becomes a very vivid and convincing representation of what he is painting. I have a hard time thinking that way. If my early stage looks so chaotic and abstract like that, I generally get frustrated and toss it in the garbage. I guess I need to learn to keep developing the work until it starts taking shape rather than expecting what I want so early in the process, because sometimes that works, but more often it doesn't.

[@Juliana-du3kk]

It's definitely hard, but all the great painters are able to go from havoc to clarity. We must train to reach their level

[@keltavuokko]

That's called the 'ugly stage'. You just need to work past that, remember that every work of art has it.

[@RivoClavis]

Those “few minutes” are actually a lot of time noodling about with the different parts of the painting, hidden behind timeskips.

[@sameaston9587]

@@keltavuokko I used to call it the 'ugly stage', but I learned from being an art instructor that phrase only works for people with a rude sense of humor (like yours truly). 'Adolescent stage' is much more diplomatic

[@lovisaadina5470]

I’m the same, it’s so frustrating when it doesn’t look good from the start. Just gotta have patience, but I never learn!

[@OTOss8]

Ah James, you’re the best. Thank you for this video. I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee and chat with you about art some day.

[@JamesGurney]

Something to look forward to. As long as you'll let me sketch your portrait while we sip and talk.

[@OTOss8]

That would be a heck of a way to spend a bit of time. I’d better step up my art game so we can make this happen. Thanks again for the Videos. They’re a real gift for those of us trying to learn how to do the things you do so well.

[@Valisk]

I trained for four years at art college to be an illustrator back in the late 80's. After working for several years with traditional media, watercolour, gouache, airbrush, Indian ink etc... The inevitable happened and more and more of my work was done with Illustrator and Photoshop. Sadly, I haven't picked up a paintbrush in years. I've been following your channel ever since your airport terminal painting was recommended by KZbin and I'm constantly blown away by your work. I always struggled with plein air painting, I could never 'let go' in the way you do. You make hue, chroma and value seem so effortless. I was always more comfortable in the studio with lots of construction and plenty of reference material. To cut a long story short, I've dug out my old painting gear and bought a sketch pad. Some of this paint is 30 years old and is still in great shape! Let's see how this goes :) Thanks so much for the inspiration.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks for sharing your story. There will always be a place for physical paint, including in illustration, as long as it can get results that rival digital.

[@elisabethseeger5837]

I enjoyed the demonstration but found the music too heavy - beautiful but intrusive to my ear.

[@ernes103]

Was there music? I didn’t realise, I was mesmerised with the hole painting process, just amazing, thanks for sharing

[@ekoi1995]

0:46 when you draw, think about paint 1:07 start witha small set of colors 1:48 establish tonal values early 2:17 light patch in center 2:31 use big brushes 3:22 start transparent, then opaque 4:09 look ofr gradiations 4:36 paint across edges 5:16 restate central features 6:06 taper branches 6:56 include delicate details 7:29 reinforce natural rhythms

[@jamiewashere]

Thanks for doing this! 👍

[@CalmedByNature]

I'm a digital artist, not a traditional painter, but I just wanted to say thanks for the great videos. These lessons are definitely helping me develop my style and composition skills. Take care!

[@cluek9780]

Digital painting is comparatively easier (from a long career of BOTH) and there’s no Control-Z in pigment!

[@ErikBongers]

Love how you went way further with those trees than the usual 'tapered single stroke' most of us would do. The trees is what my eyes are most drawn to, because you added a lot to be 'read' there. Love the narration too - edges on poetry.

[@JamesGurney]

Hi, Erik. Always great to hear from you. I always wonder where the eyes are attracted in a landscape. Hope someone will do eye tracking studies of compositions without figures.

[@XtianApi]

Best first 20 seconds to a watercolor video ever.

[@mo-mo-p5t]

Your finished piece brought tears to my eyes.

[@EmeralDQueenTV]

Your brush strokes are like a poem and then they become a visual magic, thank you for your amazing Art!!!

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks! Big help from music composer Kevin MacLeod.

[@jamiewashere]

I am going out plein air painting tomorrow morning with some gouache and watercolor so I am having a binge session watching your videos tonight before I go to bed haha. Thanks James!

[@suemew]

Just bought a new set of paint for plein air painting. This video could not be more perfect in timing!!! Thank you so much, sir!!😢💖

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you, James, for making such an inspiring channel. Your work always motivates me to paint from life, and I think your videos also inspired me when I was starting my own channel. Thank you for sharing so much of your knowledge with us!

[@jacomans9078]

Man, I'm watching it, and all I see is a mess on a canvas, then before my very eyes, Bam! It comes together in this cohesive beautiful picture...I'm experiencing it, but I can't believe it! I'm a fan! Thank you for the drawing and the tips!

[@musschelle]

Acrylics have been my go to for so many years and have been searching for another water based medium to push its limits. Your videos have been my guide and Casein is definitely in my future repertoire. Thank you for all you do and for inspiring us to go out there and explore!

[@cluek9780]

Jim, you SEE the values and temperatures and colors so clearly; your mixing and planning is a feat to behold. That’s hands-on for a lifetime! A colleague once told a student, “it’s impossible to advance if you’re painting *once a week; shoot for four sessions: you’ll def make two-usu make three- and that’s a MINIMUM.” -Shoot for FIVE and you’ll make AT LEAST three. Mix to an observed color/value, then isolate to compare. It’s HARD!

[@Brian-ti6tt]

Consistently the best youtube content.

[@TheVanillatech]

This guys an absolute beast on the lighting and colour selection. Must have the eyes of a god and the hands of a master technician.

[@joesutphin1594]

Just so wonderful. What an inspiring joy to watch

[@catherinecervas3726]

Beautiful, I love the music too. Thank you for all you do and teach.

[@KathleenRenninger]

Very nice "quick impression" . Good tips here too, & I enjoyed the sometimes poetic narrative.

[@EpicLightMedia]

This is GOLD!!!! Thanks for this!! More like this please

[@pallygasm]

We've got a small vegetable garden here in Canada which is only a week or two since germination. I am inspired by this painting to attempt a plein air of the fresh growth. Thank YOU James for all you've shared with this community. Your insight and concise manner of instruction is beyond valuable.

[@grounded9623]

Thanks James, great video, nice painting.

[@rainbowdev2621]

You're the person who made me start painting!! I've only been painting a couple weeks, but I adore it! I got to gift my mom a painting of her old home and it made her so happy!

[@TerryElrodAB]

Wonderful explanation, astounding result. Thank you!

[@nuummuun]

I am sure this man is a magician. I just need to watch 10 seconds of the video to know this. Thank you, Master. Paulo - Rio

[@JamesGurney]

Thank you, Paulo.

[@3lbsofflax]

It seems like your videos and you are getting more philosophical. The music now drones and rises more melodramatically, and your commentary is more cosmically introspective. I really like it. Keep it up, Zen master of the plein-air!

[@thuggy1]

Your love for pleinair painting is contagious..a big joy for me watching your videos and always looking forward to the next one. I've learnt so much from you! Thank you for the motivation and sharing your knowledge!

[@angelcmercado2022]

I’ve been following you for a long time. I really enjoy seeing you picking and mixing colors with such ease, showing the understanding of the use of values and colors. Also you choose to paint many mundane scenes. Things I would never have considered painting, even after my 25 plus years as a plein air artist. Thank you your sharing your talent and innovative inventions. The best to you and thank you for sharing your knowledge and the love you have for life. It’s inspirational!

[@Mr.AlaniJ]

This is Amazing!!!

[@ruthkozsey4122]

Great, loved it.

[@sentry9834]

Fascinating. I'm always following along and trying to pin point the exact moment when things went from: I with you, I can do that, to crap it just got real and now I'm lost.

[@chedoodles]

the dramatic sound makes it for me

[@LukeXMV]

I am so glad you share your painting techniques with us and probably the next generations. Thank you from my heart.

[@juanjoseleonardosolisvarga4101]

Congratulations ... there really are few famous artists who love teaching their art ... just inspiring ... thank you.

[@theoccasionalsnickerdoodle2525]

Thank you for making these videos. Each small tip you have is helping my portfolio grow.

[@billcastleman6505]

Wonderful artist and teacher....his book is a bible of art

[@URLeft4Dead13]

YES! Finally I always get caught up in the tiny details so I'm happy you finally made something on it! :]

[@eyeonart6865]

I love keys they make me take notice.

[@dollygrice677]

Thank you so much for sharing your paintings and your process. I was floundering with my watercolor landscapes until I watched your videos and added gouache. What a revelation! Your work is amazing. We adore Dinotopia by the way.

[@Schemilix]

Shimmering, fractured, and insubstantial.... I immediately went into some kind of zen state there.

[@irwired1]

Hi James, This type of intimate landscape is something I would photograph, just love the scale and a spot that would not draw the attention of many. I saw your interview with Steve Mitchell and Marty Owings and enjoyed it, so here I am checking out your KZbin.. BTW, I grew up in the NY area and had many visits to the NYBG. Stay safe and be well.

[@JamesGurney]

Sounds great! Thanks for visiting the channel.

[@bruceosborne1892]

Great video James. Always enjoy watching.

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Thanks so much for the video. The tips are so informative and also give you a new way to think before you paint. Awesome. Brilliant advice. Blessings and be safe.

[@susanhepburn6040]

SUCH a helpful video, James. Thank you so much for a wonderful demonstration - greatly appreciated.

[@apolopig]

Going on an adventure this weekend and will definitely be bringing some select oil supplies and a small watercolor set for as much plein air as possible. Thanks so much for this video, I'll be utilizing these tips as soon as and as often as I can!

[@jefffawver3389]

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@petermot645]

Thank you again James for the tips, and another quiet magical video Bravo !

[@rosebudartcollective3089]

Another great video. Thanks James.

[@dougg1075]

Could you imagine what Leonardo Da Vinci’s KZbin channel would be like? I don’t know.

[@artthatsnice8817]

good one

[@geraldskinner63]

I've thought the same with some of my favorite Artists. What would Sargent, Millais and Zorn have done with social media? Would the introverts come out of the sand and how would it have affected their art in general. Fun to speculate. For example, a post from Zorn= "Did another nude today, looks like the water was cold LOL."

[@juancalvo9762]

Leonardo Da Vinci would get banned from KZbin.

[@dldimartini]

@@juancalvo9762 Facts.....!

[@DoctorZisIN]

Pablo Picasso would be demonetized and eventually banned.

[@resavcesvila4446]

Sehr schön!👍♥️

[@felipegomesart1821]

Trabalho lindo. E dicas importantes obrigado

[@jaminjones4014]

Your nature painting inspires me to create oil abstraction.

[@HalfWarrior]

Absolutely beautiful James! Thank you for sharing!

[@cynthiasanfilippo5537]

So very lovely! Beautiful soft colors!

[@cristinasalesluis3075]

The result of your panting process is always amazing!! FANTASTIC! Thank you for sharing!

[@highdarktemplar]

you sir, are just simply a MASTER !!!

[@larrymarshall9454]

I always get excited when I see your KZbin offerings pop up. I'm always amazed. I think I've learned a lot from these videos and your GumRoad videos but I'm never sure because my skills are so far below yours :-) As I watched you paint this I couldn't help but wish I could be in your head as you painted the water, with seemingly random flat strokes. In the end, though, there was a patch of reflecting water with appropriate tones all in their place.

[@lisaperfetti415]

Thanks James! Wonderful video. I like that you used the watercolor pencil for details. Thanks again!

[@leilasilva9831]

Minha alma viajou na construção de sua obra. Maravilhoso.

[@domhardycreative1635]

Always a quick click when I see your vids come up. Another great lesson and beautiful painting :)

[@ranjeetakaur3219]

I love watching your painting videos do much is learnt everytime.👍❇️

[@sunnyboy4553]

Boy you're good, and a nice guy too!

[@juanjoseleonardosolisvarga4101]

Felicitaciones ...realmente son pocos los artistas afamados que les encanta el enseñar su arte...simplemente inspirador... mil gracias.

[@JamesGurney]

Gracias, Juan Jose. Mucho gusto!

[@heloisabeatrizteixeiradasi7063]

Super!!!

[@AK-Drakoin]

I am starting digital concept art and speed painting and am having a hard time. I have started as a heavy traditional artist and I find it easier to go off of traditional works. I think you simplified your explanation of first impression painting a little like concept art so I think I’ll find this video to be really helpful when I paint in any medium! 😊

[@joycebutler3494]

Your videos are very inspiring.

[@TerryElrodAB]

A wonderful painting, and the narration is most helpful and encouraging. I've enjoyed many of Gurney's other KZbin videos and also downloaded his 72-minute video "Gouache in the Wild" from his website. (It's excellent and, at $15, a great value.) Thank you, James.

[@anetajohnson8446]

your painting looks better than the original photo, Because you made it lighter, and the lighter trees on the right side! Simple, shetchy, but really nice! Im always amazed by your techniques! Dont you think it could use some birds or flowers or something to add life? just my opinion! Yur teaching comments are excellent!

[@mikey20is]

Wonderful

[@MarcelHardingArt]

beautiful brother

[@ismalit]

Amazing! Love your painting! Thank you for the great lessons and tips of your experience.

[@perochialjoe]

This is a great video to come across when I'm having to add a bit more landscape work into my portfolio. Fantastic work as always, James, thanks for putting in the effort to make these videos!

[@lc3]

THANK YOU. I've been doing some landscape painting and it's quite daunting. I always think I'm going to sit down and do you like you, blocking out major shapes/values/colors, but the amount of texture and color in nature is so confusing. Especially trees, because they usually have warm lights and cool shadows all in one big blob, and how do you represent that in one color? Seeing you paint this gives me some ideas. I really love your work!

[@tehmaszohra9969]

Wow awesome. I enjoyed it. Also the music

[@kalinystazvoruna8702]

When you change the water for your brushes, what do you do with the old "dirty" water? Do you put it in another container and take it with you?

[@PeaceinArt]

I have really enjoyed watching your artworks. You are mazing!!

[@artthatsnice8817]

thank you @jamesgurney sir I am learning a lot from you and in jist weeks my paintinhs have becone quite amazing thank you so much sir.

[@koffeekage]

“Water Meets Land” is the rom-com i want to see.

[@juanmora4991]

Beautiful... thank you

[@gabbyy_v1303]

in love with your videos

[@georgiak3344]

Bravissimo 🌹

[@ivoryblack1701]

These videos are truly invaluable, thank you so much!

[@hadleymanmusic]

Its been 43 years but im a pencil pen felttip tempera painter. Now Im tryin acrylic. Im learnin to go on top of whats in back.

[@seapossumsforrest8162]

Pretty amazing! I love your tutorial, music included. I wonder since you are in the thick of the woods, what precautions and gear to you keep in your pack. I am trying to get my plein aire newbie self out into the wild and all I can think of is how far do I get from the car before I have to have bug/snake repellent? a first aid kit... LOL. Thank you for sharing!

[@amysorrels5328]

Awesome!!!Big Like

[@Art_jorgesilva]

Amazing! ❤🙏🏽

[@MarcoMouraArt]

Beautiful...

[@Angelwrites]

I want to try some very flat matted colors plein air. Would I be able to squeeze some casein paint into tubes? Being in Portland, I want to try a small set outdoors. Maybe I’d have a month to use them before they dry? Maybe not hah thanks for your time!

[@Janet_scribbles]

Magic

[@chelseafontana2634]

I have really enjoyed your videos! Where do you get your watercolor sketchbooks?

[@evertvandenberghe]

Very useful. Tnx :)

[@evanlane1690]

Your tutorials have been so valuable to my painting progress! I've been using gouache almost exclusively lately, and I have a question about fixing mistakes. How do you come back in and shrink or grow a form in gouache? For instance, I painted a very chunky ear recently and wanted to thin out the lobe, but couldn't get the corrected line to blend into the dried gouache surroundings at all, and it bled a bit into the ear paint which was still a little wet. This is the toughest part for me right now. I see where I make mistakes, but I have no idea how to rework areas without destroying it entirely. Thanks again sir!

[@bdemelo]

Same boat as you. It´s important to wait until the gouache is very dry before going over it with a new layer of paint. That new layer has to be done with a thicker mixture and done with as little brushstrokes/pressure as possible. If you wiggle and push your brush into the paper too much, it will reactivate and muddy the layer(s) of paint below. So to rework an area 1.DRY. 2.Thicker paint. 3.Light application.

[@evanlane1690]

@@bdemelo that's really helpful! Thanks!

[@basitashah1489]

Thank you James for posting your perspective on this beautiful place. I have a question: I notice the marks you begin with a pencil almost immediately vanish under the first coat of paint. Why not just draw in with paint itself?

[@JamesGurney]

No reason that I can think of. It would have worked fine, and I often do begin with a brush.

[@acceptingseeking]

Wow sir

[@RLDSTUDIO]

Do you remember a time when you struggled to simplify and drop details in order to capture an impression of a scene? I feel like I go into my paintings with this idea that I will simplify and I inevitably end up lost in the details and the image suffers.

[@larajost6831]

The thing I do is, if I have a specific focus point in a painting, I’ll allow myself to give it quite a lot of detail in the most important areas (eg if you’re drawing a dog I would make the eyes, nose, and some fur around its face quite detailed), but leave the rest of the painting more „raw“. That way I have my sense for Details satisfied but still have lots of loose brush strokes and don’t lose my focus.

[@andrecaveman]

Ну наконец-то)

[@bcarithers22]

Always lovely, James. You are a wonderful inspiration to us! Thank you so much. Does casein have a color shift the way acrylics do?

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, because Casein dries matte, dark areas will lighten as they dry and light areas will often darken. You get used to it if you use it a lot. You can buff the surface to restore luster, or you can even varnish it to extend the darks, but most people prefer the the matte finish.

[@ParkerComedy]

Love your videos keep them coming 🦾

[@dorian8578]

How does the weather effect Casein when you paint in cold/warmer environments?

[@JamesGurney]

It's fine as long as the weather stays above freezing.