Colored Pastel on Gouache For Glowing Light Effects

[@malatestov]

Some art videos are just fun to watch. Some are inspiring. Some teach you something. Some moves you to take the brushes and start to paint. Yours are all of these things combined. Thank you very much.

[@JamesGurney]

Thank you, Gualterio. Making these videos (and responding to everyone's questions) helps me to grow as an artist, too.

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

That father’s comment in the background “you’ve gotta practice” is soooo true 😍 Amazing paintings 👍😍

[@SaulDeeson]

"But in the real world of painting, there are no laws or rules or ten commandments," What a great sentiment that is!

[@DeGuerre]

Art is not a professional sport.

[@ht1ps555]

Pseudonym73 so true, I always regret myself for crying at a drawing and throwing it away but then I always gotta remember it’s never going to be perfect.

[@DeGuerre]

​@@ht1ps555 Nothing is perfect! Something is done when you decide to stop fiddling with it and move on to the next thing. That's true for anything worth doing. Art, craft, engineering, whatever.

[@kaywitt8008]

Saul Deeson I so agree!!

[@atlantic_love]

It's lazy "advice giving" at its best. If you want to achieve a certain look or a certain level of achievement, then then there most certainly ARE rules and commandments you have to follow as an artist. Time says so. Rembrandt would not have been able to achieve what he did by doing things differently.

[@nohnoroi6221]

You did this while standing and watch the short passing moments that may only occur once every couple days or months even. And your fingers' freezing?! Nah, man u are legit. Salam from Indonesia ❤

[@muskndusk]

I like your videos because you talk during them, this keeps me awake. Otherwise I fall asleep during art vids.

[@actionanimatics3485]

I just love the little tips you give, like the "wearing a dark shirt". So handy, and an indication of how conscientious and genuine you are about the craft. I'm sure this channel makes good business sense, but there's no faking your enthusiasm and sincerity. Thank you.

[@GloomzyLion]

I'd wear a dark shirt to stop color or light from reflecting from my shirt. I would have never thought about anything like that until I saw this video though.

[@JaredCullum]

Love this one! Great tips- I like the kids asking about painting. I get that often painting outdoors and I keep meaning to start collecting the small Cotman WN half pan boxes so I can make little sketching kits and just give them to kids that stop to watch to keep. Love what you said about Sargent and others experimenting with mixed media.

[@JamesGurney]

Hey, Jared, thanks for the comment. That would be super generous to give out watercolor sets to the kids. Even a few markers and a simple pad of paper from a dollar store would be a good thing to hand out to someone who's into it.

[@valasafantastic1055]

I advise: bulk purchasing empty half pans with magnetic stickers (off places like amazon) then find inexpensive tins then purchase the largest tubes (that dry well in pans and re-wet well of the lowest priced but highest quality watercolours) fill the pans (doesn't need to be perfect or perfectly full) cut cheaper watercolour paper pages to fit and explain that the paper is so the recipient can make a swatch card. Also if dollar stores are good in your area small kits of good but inexpensive supplies from the dollar store is great too! Especially for brushes but it really varies by area. I also think it's morally fine to sell these "at cost" so you are breaking even on the expense if not the time/effort, rather than just paying out of pocket. I don't personally enjoy most of the cotman line paints and find I prefer most other brands but have been upgrading lately to full artist grade so maybe I'm getting more picky? Anyways I just got a 'lot' of the magnetic sticker included empty halfpans for a great price and many dollarstores currently have small Christmas gift tins and there is always Altoids tins. Very kind idea I do things like this too; best wishes!

[@luvmesumu2]

I'm 100% sure I'll never get tired of watching you do your thing

[@justicewarrior9187]

The light on the first painting is just absolutely spot on!! This guy has a gift!! It's insane

[@Denvr2]

_The quality of these videos are outstanding!_

[@belle42]

I find it amazing that you take an everyday somewhat ugly scene and turn it into a beautiful painting!

[@jekalambert9412]

Thank you James for debunking the "rules" of "good" painting. I love your work and your informative videos. I had a watercolor teacher many years ago who ascribed to the AWS no black, no white rule. My comment to her was that the thought police were controlling her art. I pointed out that black and white have been used extensively throughout painting history. The next time she had a show, I was delighted to find a number of her works included black.

[@normg2242]

Hey James, not only did you irresistibly inspire me to start painting watercolour and gouache again, but when I tried to jazz up my paintings with pastels, they really sprang to life, your idea got me on to a new level. Thanks so much for your videos, I think you created a monster...lol and I'm not talking about your dinosaurs...

[@grandpa_eric]

Hey 👋 James! This video is ‘4 years’ old now. What a great resource on KZbin. Back before retirement, I drew sketches with letraset Pantone markers. And just as you use gouache, pastels and fountain pens to add details to your paintings, I used prismacolor pencils and gouache in my layouts and sketches. These would then be the map for final paintings in gouache for reproduction. Amazing what can be done with mixed media. No need to struggle trying to be pure to one medium. Great video, always inspiring! Thank you.

[@paulah317]

I'm loving your demos and enjoy the instruction on using mixed media in your paintings. The enthusiasm of the kid...." daddy, I want to paint" is so endearing and I hope the kids got a set of paints and is practicing.

[@TheReck12]

This kind of makes me want to get into painting. I like the idea of just setting up anywhere and just painting.

[@valasafantastic1055]

I advise researching the good quality but low cost supplies options and to aim for "middle grade" or best you can afford as higher quality supplies work better and are more enjoyable/easy to use and learn from. Lots of free youtube tutorials to help in all aspects. But even starting with dollar store supplies can be fine (depending on the quality of supplies available at your local stores) To this day I use several brushes I got at Dollarama (a Canadian dollarstore) some are amazing there while some are trash. Possible to start for CAD $40 or less and get a lot out of that if you shop for bargains! good luck if you decide to go for it!

[@carolepivarnik9316]

As a way to start, look into urban sketching which a worldwide movement of people and groups who sketch on location. Lots of resources online! Might be a group in your area.

[@rancarizo7438]

I always fear to color in art. Now that its finals week of my first trimester in art college and I am cramming, I gotta say, I found the right video that inspires me.

[@theseabeangallery5374]

The flaring technique lends so much atmosphere to these everyday subjects. Thank you.

[@jensingerlady]

Very clear directions, can’t wait to try it!

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

You’re a genius artist extraordinaire- I just can’t believe how you drew this view so small, so precisely- I just love your work 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻brilliant

[@alicebeshay6124]

I really want to walk inside your paintings. There are better than real😄Thank you James for all your lessons❤️🌹

[@sameaston9587]

I always think I'm an alright art teacher, then I watch one of your videos and realize I so much more to learn.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey James, I just discovered you have a channel! I've been watching it over the past couple weeks and am so appreciative of all the tips and tricks you provide. It's funny, I grew up with a Dynotopia print in my room, and always wondered how you made such dramatic paintings. I've been painting a lot lately, and it's really nice to be able to learn from the Dynotopia author. Thanks for sharing!!

[@JamesGurney]

Thank you. Have you seen my video about the inspiration for Dinotopia? kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6O9anp3Ys2chqs

[@ptaylor4923]

Michael, don't miss out on his blog either... It's got years of expertise, wisdom, humor... I love it every day. gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/

[@miweipon]

Your videos are so relaxing and inspiring please keep going with what you are doing!

[@saadn.3348]

Love the freedom! During painting, I am a free man! Agree with your opinion James. And of course another beautiful art work!

[@danthomas6587]

I like the idea of painting the space, the very air between you and the subject. It certainly makes you think differently. Beautiful rendering Jim.

[@JamesGurney]

You got it, that's exactly what I was trying to capture.

[@antoniskyriakou327]

MY FRIEND YOU ARE GIFTED BY GOD. ALL ARTISTS ARE AMAZING CREATURES THAT CAME TO EARTH IN ORDER TO MAKE OUR LIVES BETTER.

[@zach3699]

You’ve motivated me to start painting. I’ve always enjoyed art, but have lost myself over the years in the military. Really enjoying your videos, tips and passion you show. I find water coloring very pleasant. Thank you! I really want to go on a hike and stop, and paint what I see. Thanks for the motivation and helping me find an interest, and myself.

[@geslinam9703]

I worked in soft pastel for a long time, and was always curious about how some pastel artists, Richard McKinley, for example, got such great depth and darks in their paintings...even on light paper. Then I found out they were using underpainting techniques, usually watercolor. It really opened up a whole new world for me...but I always feel like I’m cheating when I mix mediums. Don’t know why, I suppose it’s because I went to a very traditional art school.

[@RayFineArt]

Your videos are so inspiring James, I learn so much from them every time, such a great teacher 💜👍🖌🎨🖼

[@lindzkinz6306]

You really have a gift of taking something seemingly mundane and pulling out the beauty!

[@Loenthall88]

Always a pleasure to see someone who knows what he's doing in painting.

[@souvie]

when i feel unmotivated to paint i like to watch your videos. such an inspiring artist!

[@CathyJohnson]

I LOVE the Edward Weston quote, thank you James. Making a note of it...

[@noreenkellett3863]

Great tip about using stabilo pastel pencils, I have some so will try that thanks 😊

[@WC100]

James Gurney 絵がとても風情があり、 素晴らしいです、 あなたは最高の画家、 韓国の水彩画がある私はあなたの写真を賞賛している、 常に良いことがあることを祈ります！

[@markmorris251]

As you were painting the yellow lines on the lot, I heard the cars go by. I looked to that side of the painting, expecting to see the cars as they passed by!! Thanks for evoking that in me!

[@cherylamcdaniel8407]

You inspired me to do en plein air painting. I realized it teaches one many things.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I love that melting of light into objects

[@d3sland3s]

the amount of detail in such a small piece and relatively big brushes is astonishing!

[@terrysmith128]

I don’t have an artistic bone in my body. Yet, I watch your videos. Thanks for showing me what i could never do. To me it’s like listening to Whitney Houston or Mozart, I could never sound like that. But yet, I listen with great enthusiasm. I’ve overcome my inadequacies with age and now I humbly enjoy more. :)

[@WC100]

James Gurney Your outdoor watercolors, The picture is so flavorful cool, You are the best watercolor painter, As a Korean watercolor artist, I commend your painting, I pray that good things always happen!

[@ryanhotknife9441]

my biggest inspiration is you Mr. Gurney

[@pamgessler5923]

I love to see upstate NY captured in these paintings. There are places in Catskill, Athens and Coxsackie, along the Hudson that would make great spots to paint too.

[@Vincintosh]

I've been watching your videos and following you for a while now. You're such an inspiring artist and I really can't believe how realistic your paintings are, even though they are so light and minimalistic. It's the idea that you give with just a few brush strokes that is so realistic. I wish I could learn something like that, but I can't even draw a banana :(

[@bennydelarosa9064]

Hi James Gurney👋👋👋. Thank you for the video tip! I'll remember that in my art class!👍👍👍

[@tamasmihaly1]

Red hands, gloved hands, hacking away at your inspiration. Beauty blue in black bonnets.

[@valasafantastic1055]

Great stuff as always! loved the wearing a dark shirt tip! And reminding me to consider wearing a hat! Fantastic stuff I should really consider digging out the pastels with some of my gouache mixed medias in my sketchbook once I get home! I personally think I may use my "soft pastel" paintbrushes I have set aside rather than my fingertip. Really a semi-firm but fairly soft inexpensive paintbrushes (I can clean; and have purchased for dry media blending, including good quality but very inexpensive make up brushes from the dollar store) are great with soft pastels, charcoal and graphite! I hope that is helpful to someone because I really dislike getting my hands dirty sometimes and the brushes also have the benefit of not adding skin-oil to the art. (or dirt lol). That glow effect is very pleasing. Thanks for the video.

[@larissagudino5291]

I love how informative you are!!

[@Lauragld]

Like seeing the touches of chalk (pastels?) beautiful painting of the ordinary made extraordinary ❤️ I always learn so much from you.....

[@margheritamuller8708]

I have tried underpaint and it’s a fabulous result

[@spotoboy]

I see Garin Baker! Great artist and human being!

[@josephlowry4320]

True sir I respect you, if I try Gouache, I will follow those tips.

[@bageled_meme2690]

You’re awesome. Not only in art, but these are very calming and helps me take my mind off my days and life stresses.

[@z.z.1205]

This is so good. Thanks for the great tip with the chalk!!

[@alithomaga]

the gold for you, James! Thanks for this video.

[@julianclaytonvanwyk9073]

Very nice...... Ive been str7ggling wth oils so ive vought some guache bcoz oils are so expensive.... So these tutorials are great.....

[@DavidSteadStudio]

Absolutely right man - centre jour is the way to go!

[@learf11]

Love the color variety in the pavement!

[@belindahall5220]

Thank you for sharing your style and insights! All of the tips are very helpful and encouraging!

[@NAVINARTSTUDIO123]

Wow wonderful and great painting

[@bluewren65]

I appreciate your mastery of plein air painting and how you convey the magic of light, that's the thing that lifts everyday objects and scenes out of the ordinary. I'd love to see some time lapse video of you making your detailed, fine illustrations, which is much closer to my way of working with gouache.

[@vonclap]

I was at art school in the very early 1960s...I remember one tutor who made us use black shoe polish and stubs of paper as brushes in the life classes...so as not to get bound in formal technique or become too precious about equipment (UK)

[@cn-123]

You are brilliant! Like the kid in the video I also say the same: I want to paint like that! I also like the mix media like pastels!

[@sheilasheilaford4018]

Thank you for sharing this. Your work is beautiful.

[@lizjoy6828]

A lot of helpful tips in this one! Thanks James. I'm really enjoying plein air painting - far more than i expected to!

[@virginiarinkel7544]

Thanks for the tips here - I have some of those Othello pastel sticks - they're intense. Sometimes I like to take a photo into the sun - not catching the sun, but the light created on objects.

[@TheNurseWhoLovedHim]

You absolutely amaze me..your talent is inspiring

[@zanroura9672]

I love how you explain what are you doing. I started watching your videos so I can do backgrounds but now I just want to commit to doing landscapes and urban paintings :)

[@MarcelHardingArt]

lovely paintings ,and awesome advice brother

[@Cosi91]

You are amazing. Greetings from Florence, Italy! Saluti da Firenze!

[@barryteghtmeyer5466]

I am beginning to focus on various types of light in my own watercolor painting. Your video was extremely helpful. Do you have a video or blog that talks about the supplies you use? I have never tried using the pastel on top of watercolor.. going to add that one to my tool kit!

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, here's a blog post that discusses the supplies for watercolor. gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2014/08/watercolor-in-wild-materials.html Also check the description under this video.

[@lovesickblueslovesickblues5198]

This is a realist content ever!

[@lindacsmith13]

Thank you for sharing your time with us

[@LScott97]

As always, another fantastic video!👍👍👍

[@jenniefrench1338]

Looks like oil pastel. I use colored pencil and regular pastels with wc all the time. So wish I had gouache too. I just have Holbein's white. The effects are great!

[@cynthiasanfilippo5537]

Your so talented! Love all your paintings! Ty for sharing it!

[@redcastlefan]

I can barely draw a stickman and make it work and you over there can put some cameras to shame with how good you capture the scenes in your photos.

[@ptaylor4923]

Nokia... I drew stick figures until I was in my 30s because I simply couldn't draw. Then one day I stumbled on a book "Drawing With the Right Side of the Brain." It taught me that it wasn't that I couldn't draw, it was that I didn't know how to look at things correctly to see them for drawing... I was soooo angry... I felt cheated, because art teachers in art classes my parents sent me to on weekends (babysitting) NEVER conveyed to me how to do this. It was all about your own "expression." Well, expression is fine, but poo that. I still have problems with some perspectives & I draw slowly, but in a month I could draw a reasonable portrait. I really, really really can't recommend it enough. There are new editions now, but any edition will do. Just don't get too bogged down in the opening explanation chapters-the exercises are great www.amazon.com/Drawing-Right-Side-Brain-Deluxe/dp/158542921X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DOKTCZCYSP6C&keywords=drawing+with+the+right+side+of+the+brain&qid=1573620685&s=books&sprefix=drawing+with%2Caps%2C273&sr=1-1

[@o.liveil7111]

Art is all about experimentation and self expression. Screw those people who try to limit you and your methods.

[@gracelopez3684]

Great job! Congratulations!

[@holliesteil8214]

Love your work and your “teaching moments”. Where do you get those wonderful clips that hold your journal open? What is Chasein?

[@JeanneBruneau]

Great painting tips! Thanks for sharing!

[@BritGod147]

Thanks for another insight into your way of painting, James! I've been inspired to paint for the first time in watercolour and gouache (mix media, why not right?), for my family in time for Christmas, and all is going well so far. Wishing you well, eagerly looking forward to the next video!

[@Codenamex47]

I really appreciate how you teach technique and creativity but don't stifle creativity. Some many teachers get wrapped up in things like tradition, etc. and harshly insist you never deviate from it. Its refreshing to be taught but also allowed to experiment, etc.

[@Holdyehorses]

I've only just found your videos and I'm finding them really inspiring. I really like your looseness more than anything else so I'll be sure to bring that into my acrylic work. Keep up the good work.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks, Alexander, and welcome to the channel.

[@jacmcw]

Me too, Alexander, even if just a little.

[@domhardycreative1635]

Always click so quick when one of your videos comes up on my list :)

[@ariafr2023]

Это великолепно! 👍🎨🖌️

[@catherinecervas3726]

Another awesome video and great paintings, many thanks!

[@DorethaLynnette]

Lol I live in poughkeepsie which is near both Kingston and newburgh so that's very cool to watch you create this work in particular

[@Kyamusuku]

I love cold weather but it makes it harder to paint😄

[@ARTYCOATY]

This is Awesome. Great work!! I also love to draw pictures.

[@suel4269]

As a Photographer first, I would avoid backlit. Now I’m looking for it to paint.

[@lisa-gayle9939]

Amazing! Gorgeous!

[@louiss1625]

Incredible artist, but boy his voice is breathy.

[@jamesl4187]

Its amazing how it looks terrible at first than you turn it into a masterpiece

[@sonofhibbs4425]

When you hear birds overhead, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT look up with your mouth open.... trust me on that one. ☹️ Good video, great paintings...thank you for sharing.

[@JamesGurney]

Spoken from experience? I've been hit, but not yet square in the face.

[@kumaroshi9549]

Wow so talented

[@LXhSh]

Was the choice for using the time on the sign instead of the temperature a conscious one? If so, what was your thought process behind it? I just discovered your channel and I'm so excited to have found it! 'Color and Light' is by far the best thing on my reference shelf.

[@JamesGurney]

I don't know why I chose the time over the temperature. I guess I was thinking about documenting the time of day when I started.

[@matthewbrown8962]

WOW.. on 9w in Kingston you were only 5 or so miles from where I grew up :)

[@kepalakardus2278]

U'r work always amazing sir and such inspiring, greetings from indonesia :)