Early stages of a new series w/ lots of gouache sketching ✶ PATHWAYS #2

[@hayleypbop6997]

You squeeze a lot of colours out of a limited palette. I love how much colour you put into your work, even the tiny studies. It makes them sing from the page.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you so much!

[@NatashaNewtonArt]

Gosh, your sketchbook paintings are so beautiful...

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Oh my, thank you!!

[@rosemarywynn7196]

I was really struggling to see a way forward with my paintings today - it calmed me down to watch pathways and consider that I can't expect to produce a painting every day or even every week! Thankyou

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Oh gosh, I feel you! My pathways series has been a rollercoaster 😅 It’s a lot of slow progress. I can do lots of great “mini” paintings but when it comes to larger work it feels like a completely different world and I underestimated it. But I’m focusing on enjoying the journey

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Love your sketches!

[@loreleibell6287]

Super excited to see how this goes!

[@debsmith7050]

Exciting

[@susank9987]

Thanks for sharing your process Sarah, it is super interesting. I have been trying to figure out a way to get plastic on my walls so I can attach a canvas and work vertically, I might try something like you showed at the 2 minute mark! thanks again, can't wait to see your series develop.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Mine isn't the best way, but it works for now! I'm renting so I can't do anything too extreme. Otherwise I wouldn't care and just let paint splash everywhere!

[@deborahmeyers7839]

Beautiful artwork thank you for sharing your thoughts too Sarah the music and scenery delightful🌺

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tinglyart3877]

those sketches just looks amazing!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you!

[@WingedJedi]

I'm excited for this new series! The paintings in your previous one look absolutely stunning! I really admire your drive and how you manage to paint so often while also hiking, making and editing videos, doing voice-overs, and taking care of your social media channels. I'm sure that you will be able to succeed with your new series as well! Pathways is a lovely theme. Paths are always great to guide the eye of the viewer into a composition, but they are also very symbolic and often trigger my imagination. Funnily, when you mentioned that they symbolize safety, my thoughts suddenly went to a path in Scotland that was a little bit dangerous. It was at Glen Nevis, and at the beginning of the path, there was a sign saying "Danger of Death". :D

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

The only way I'm able to juggle so many projects is to have a very thorough schedule. I also have no social life...literally none! Gives me a lot of extra time. I think about how right now I'm setting the foundation for my business, gotta work hard so it pays off. And yea you're right, there are plenty of dangerous paths out there! But at least the sign warned you! :D

[@reeseosbornestudios]

I'm really excited to see you try those painting markers and your trip...I've always admired people who can paint large in plein air! It's so brave...

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Well it was a HUGE challenge!! But so much fun in the end.

[@c.f.callier]

I love watching the watercolor washes turn into a detailed painting. I look forward to seeing where this serious takes you!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you! I like watching the timelapse to see how it flows into a painting

[@deniserobinson9418]

When I see your basic colours (5.07) I really really dislike them and have put away loads of my own paints for the same reason, thinking I need to put together a set of more muted shades .......... but I am absolutely blown away by the gorgeous mixes you have produced from them - I think I need to dig mine out again and start mixing Feeling inspired to try Thank you

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I know. On their own they are so garrish. But they truly do make such fabulous mixing colors!

[@DannySabraArt]

I’ve recently been reexploring acrylics again and you won’t regret using golden paints. I’ve been playing with their Open Acrylic Lucy stay wet longer but still not as long as oils and I’ve been liking them so far. I wonder if you would like them? One thing I do like about acrylics is it allows you to layer so much quicker than with oils. I loved seeing your custom mixes. Really cool to see all you can do with a limited palette!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I'm definitely enjoying using the acrylics again and layering so quicky on a big canvas!! That is a huge bonus. I bought some Open medium so I'll be experimenting with that soon!

[@DannySabraArt]

@@SarahBurnsStudio you might really like it!

[@suzannebertrand9779]

Thank you for this very interesting video about your thought process for your series. I will use the suggestion of a dedicated sketchbook big enough to hold the multiple sketches and the thinking too!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Wonderful!

[@ann-marielofberg1159]

So much good thoughts, have taken notes, easier to remember…

[@andreatorraca8755]

Priceless,love!!!

[@ruthballardart]

Wonderful series here! Can't wait to see what develops. I bought the Nathan Fowkes lesson and am beginning to work on some studies today. Going with acrylic rather than watercolor or gouache. Those Golden colors you're using look so luscious and creamy!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

His class is soooooooooo good!

[@ruthballardart]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Nathan's course is very inspiring! And comprehensive. I had no idea going in it was 9 weeks long. Did you do all 9 weeks? Or condense it down? I'm on my way to the art store this morning to pick up some supplies to begin! I love his charcoal portraits too that he shows in this class. Amazing! But of course we are here for the landscapes!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@Ruth Ballard Art I did the self-guided version of his class so I binged the whole thing and did all the assignments within 2 weeks. It was fabulous 😄

[@ruthballardart]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I'm doing the self guided too, just got one month. I've never painted before so it's super challenging!

[@veronicagreen6180]

Great info,love love this small paintings…you are so kind ..take care and thank you sooooo much. .

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thanks Veronica!

[@mickieriley2490]

This is wild. A few months ago, I started a series of mixed media work called Following the Path. I've only finished one. So far abstract. Golden is awesome. I love it. I'm trying some other brands. I am using Liquitex acrylic Gouache right now. Fascinated by the matte finish. I'll eventually compare them to the golden so flat.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Somehow I missed this comment - sorry! Are you liking the acrylic gouache? I never got the hang of it - I'm so used to regular gouache and being able to blend to my heart's content

[@mickieriley2490]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I like it, but I'm mostly acrylic. Mixed media second. So I'm pretty comfortable with them. :)

[@ShahanoorMamun]

wow!! I love this series works!! 💚💙

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@emilydeaton1169]

So excited to see this series/your work! I’ve been getting back into acrylics and there’s something so freeing about being able to cover up things so easily!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

YES I totally agree! It's been so much fun!

[@angelisyahweh9249]

Freaking love you !!!!!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

💜💙💚

[@elaynepreston4618]

Really enjoy watching your process. Also I purchased some of the empty acrylic markers - looking forward to seeing how you use them.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

So fun!!

[@samantharankinstinamisan5583]

If you did do acrylics in your sketchbook, how do you keep the pages from sticking together? Love your idea of doing watercolor story boards first, then acrylic on canvas....I learned that the hard way🙄

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You could maybe try matte varnish so it's less sticky?

[@Tat2TankT]

Where I get that table easel at? Love your work thanks for sharing

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

It's a Daler Rowney Artsphere A3

[@michellegoggans350]

Hi Sarah, I love seeing your process and color studies! I’m thinking about playing with Acrylic, what base colors would you suggest starting out with for landscapes using Liquitex? Thank you for sharing your amazing work with us!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

If you watch my most recent "art haul" video where I open the acrylic markers - those are the colors I recommend starting with (plus black), and you can see how they look

[@nknana3]

Fantastic video! Loved watching your thought processes. I painted in acrylics years ago, but love the ease of watercolors (which I can totally loose myself in) and hopefully gouache as I’m starting to feel the same. I loved your little sketches in your journal….I find I love doing small paintings. I don’t need as much detail so they can be really fun to paint. I’ve never tried to paint a picture starting in watercolor and finishing in gouache. I’ll have to go back in your patreon “stash” and see if I can find a tutorial where you are showing this. Would you consider painting a few small pictures like this in real time with a voice over? I really believe I would be able to learn so much from this. In the meantime, I’m going on a search thru patreon (unless you can tell me exactly where to look?). Many thanks for your time and all the thought you put into these tutorials and for generously showing us how to paint your beautiful Scotland. Nell

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Do you mean thumbnails in general? Like how to work small/simplify?

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Sarah, did you get the “teal” or the “cobalt teal.” On Jerry’s the “cobalt teal” is more expensive but is made with only PG50 while the “teal” is a 3 pigment mix of PW6, PB15:3, and PG7 (white, phthalo blue green shade, and phthalo green blue shade.) I want this color palette with the addition of Green Gold, because.....dang! It’s near perfection!!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Oh I misunderstood - for my gouache I have cobalt teal LIGHT

[@cathyhouse4677]

I love this series. It is so interesting to view your process! Looking forward to the Winter Solstice - to see how it unfolds. You probably get this question a lot, but do you have preferred brands/sizes for your sketchbooks? Same for plein air? Thank you for the time you put into this channel...very helpful, interesting, inspiring.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thanks so much! For the last year or so I've been trying out a lot of different sketchbooks. The ones I like are listed in my "favorite supplies" link :)

[@marionwigzell7334]

Sarah, your sketch books are just so beautiful. Can I ask you if all the paintings in them are of places you've personally visited? Also, have you tried the acrylic gouache; is there a lot of difference between them and the Artists designers gouache? I can't wait to see your series develop, it looks amazing. I'm new to your channel by the way and live in Australia. Thanks for sharing (-: Marion

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Hello! Yes I've visited these places. A lot of times I alter them so it's somewhere between reference, memory, and imagination. And I have not used acrylic gouache a ton...I just love being able to blend into my layers!

[@4prerna]

This video was so helpful.. thank you Sarah :) I had a question on drawing/sketching out landscapes.. how detailed do you normally go? (I am not confident about my sketching skills, so I really avoid them, but it restricts the subjects I am able to paint). Thanks :)

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You answered your own question! :) I was drawing for many years before I started painting, and I see a direct impact on my paintings. It helps SO much to be able to draw, to understand scale, perspective, and all the basics, before painting. So if you can start to work it into your schedule, do more sketching (from life preferably). Before gouache painting, my sketch is very loose and not detailed, since the paint will cover it up.

[@4prerna]

@@SarahBurnsStudio thank you :) I guess I’ll start putting in the effort in sketching practice !

[@nicholaconnell962]

Sarah, can you let me know what masking tape you use, I struggle to find a brand that doesn’t tear the paper when I peel it off. Many thanks

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

3M blue painters tape. But you can heat up the tape with a heat gun or hair dryer and it will peel off smoother

[@nicholaconnell962]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Many thanks for the tip Sarah- p.s loving your pathways sketches, can't wait to see the full acrylic versions. Also I bought one of those small paint boxes and I also have one water side container that is loose, but I've stuck some blue tack in the ridges to try to hold it - seems to work.

[@katrinaKJB1611]

I'm new to painting. You mentioned not using cadmiums in a limited palette. Do they not mix well with other pigments?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

To me they look "dirty" and unnatural, and create very limited mixes. Since I like to have a lot of vibrancy in my work, that is not ideal. Cadmium red mixed with blue creates a very dull purple. Cadmium yellow is basically orange, so you can never get a super vibrant green. I don't need a tube of red, because by mixing quinacridone magenta with my "lemon" yellow (it's not technically lemon but it mimics the color), I can create red. So not only do I remove the need for a tube of red, I can customize it exactly how I need, on the rare occasion I need red. Lastly, cadmium is a heavy metal which is toxic to humans, animals, fish, and I've been on a mission for a long time to remove them from my palette as much as possible. Not just for myself, but because washing brushes in the sink.

[@katrinaKJB1611]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank you, this makes a lot of sense! My W&N stater kit of guoache came with a spectrum red and primary red. (As well as a primary yellow that I'm not a fan of.) Which like you mentioned can't make a true purple but a muddy mess. I did have another question if you don't mind 😊. Do you prefer Quin magenta over Quin rose? Or is magenta just what you have at the moment? I belive they are the same PV19. I'm trying to find a versatile mixing red.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@katrinaKJB1611 I always go for quin magenta, or PR122 if I can

[@gillinacook1477]

Acrylic paints, do you just use water with them?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yes, tiny amount. Or I add the "open" medium.

[@oneeyewitch]

What size are the tubes you bought? I couldnt see the size sorry

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

59ml

[@oneeyewitch]

@@SarahBurnsStudio thank you

[@AnimeBlaze-qi4jx]

Really beautiful paintings! I'm new here just subscribed! I am definitely planning on trying out gouache in the future but right now I'm still a beginner in watercolour.While I work on improving my watercolour skills I'll keep on watching ur tutorials! When u take off the tape it looks satisfying XD What kind of tape do u use? Also, I loved the music choice and video editing at the end it was relaxing to listen to!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you!! I use 3M blue painters tape. I love it!

[@AnimeBlaze-qi4jx]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank u! I'll definitely buy it when I get the chance!

[@kr2112]

​@@SarahBurnsStudio The yellow is good, too, as it's a little gentler when peeling off.

[@terrilyon6825]

I find it so hard to let myself use a shade of purple where my brain wants to tell me it's brown - it's always my struggle - I'm not much of a colourist, lol

[@lesleykurdi873]

Where do i buy them and for how much?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Buy what?

[@Angela27red]

What sketchbook are you using to do the 6 studies?

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

The strathmore watercolor travel journal

[@DavZell]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I wonder if I'm the only person that doesn't paint in my books/on my blocks because I feel like I want them for better work -- but I don't create better work because I never paint because I feel like I'm not that good yet. [vicious circle] I bring this up because I thought "that looks like a nice journal in a good size; I should look at them." But it would become another journal unused... I'm at a particular low spot because I didn't really paint at all during the pandemic and my initial attempts since have been frustrating. It feels like I forgot some basics of water control and brush strokes.

[@andreatorraca8755]

Sketchbook you used here?

[@andreatorraca8755]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Oh yes now I remember you said in other video….

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Strathmore watercolor travel journal