EP15 :: James Gurney & Teaching Yourself how to Paint

A master of colour and light, Dinotopia creator James Gurney requires no introduction. After teaching himself how to paint at the age of 22, James became a living legend in the art industry.
Join us as we discuss:
- The key to learning physical paint;
- How to approach colour;
- Avoiding overwhelm when learning how to paint.
- …and James’ golden tip on how to get your values right!
-…PLUS, I was able to ask James some of the questions you sent us!
Find all links associated with this episode at www.etchrlab.c...

[@deminikolova2797]

This interview highlights how much our world has changed even within 1-2 generations. I think when James said ‘what do your doodles look like when you’re on the phone’ he didn’t mean to ask if you doodle on your phone but if you doodle while talking on the phone. Just reflects how little we talk on the phone while sitting anymore. A disappearing art form

[@EtchrLab]

Thank you, Demi, for this wonderful comment. We appreciate you watching Steve's episode! Have a nice day~

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Yes I caught that too. I'm happy to say that I still have a comfy-to-use rotary phone and I doodle while talking on it. It's fun to see what come out of me when I'm not paying attention to it.

[@danthomas6587]

James has helped hundreds of artists. Including me and although I'm not an oil painter or casein, which James uses quite a bit, the knowledge he shares crosses those boundaries. Plus James has the most humble bedside manner. It's a pleasure to watch him paint.

[@EtchrLab]

He is pretty amazing isn’t he?! - Kirsty 🧡🦙

[@tonihulick1886]

Excellent piece! James Gurney is great at teaching and sharing ideas. Big fan!! Thank you for this interview and visuals!!

[@EtchrLab]

Thanks for your kind comment, Toni - means a lot! And definitely - James is so incredibly kind and knowledgable. It was an honor to interview him! - Ânia

[@b3n3d1ct10n]

James Gurney is my favourite teacher, and as someone who works plein air a lot, his advice and ideas help me in creative and also very pragmatic ways on a daily basis!

[@EtchrLab]

We're so pleased to hear! Thank you for listening, James!

[@TheMg49]

Slowly but surely making my way through James Gurney's KZbin videos. Glad I happened on this video. Thanks and thumbs up.

[@richardsong8]

A great interview... thank you Ania and James!

[@EtchrLab]

Thank you for listening, Gary!

[@ErikaCasab]

Loved it!!! Oaxaca, that place where James mentions a woman didn't want to be painted, is where my family comes from. My grandparents spoke the language that woman did. She might have declined due to their beliefs.

[@EtchrLab]

Erika, so happy to hear from you :D Thanks for the kind comment! I didn't know you fam was from Oaxaca - wow! - Ânia

[@panchoverde5078]

Between Bridgman's, James Gurney, and Bill Watterson, I have all the teachers I could ever need.

[@EtchrLab]

Fantastic! 😊

[@kimlapere]

Very useful tips from this interview, thanks James and Ânia! James I think the world would certainly appreciate a study work book on how to learn art from you, especially if it has the same depth of knowledge as your imaginative realism and colour books. Cheers from a self-taught artist!

[@EtchrLab]

Thanks for listening, Kim, means a lot! :) And I feel you - I'd buy any book from James. He's so insightful!!! - Ânia

[@jennymay4720]

I agree totally, I had the same poor experience at art school as James; so have learnt whereever I can; but know I lack so many basic things; It is true the artists of a hundred years ago had a better background:

[@TheMasterTelevision]

People are actually very friendly when it comes to being drawn. Its a bit flattering to think they're unique enough to stand out in a crowd.

[@EtchrLab]

Thank you for listening, R! 🧡

[@JaneSiet]

Thank you so much for this fantastic interview!!!

[@EtchrLab]

thanks for listening!!! :)

[@HalfWarrior]

Fantastic interview! James is wonderful!

[@EtchrLab]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidshimp5116]

Muito bom, obrigado! Legal que voce é do Portugal.

[@lindaheath784]

Enjoyed the interview.😊

[@lindaheath784]

Went to college in New England .Had a very nice teacher named Allan Collins..He was also a sculptor .I loved that year!

[@lindaheath784]

Just bought your book on Color and Light . It's beautiful !! Can hardly wait to get into it !!

[@muhammedshahbaazp6603]

He is awesome ❤️

[@EtchrLab]

Thank you for watching with us! ❤️

[@someones_daughter_]

Wonderful episode, good uestions and overall nice vibe

[@EtchrLab]

Thank so much for listening ❤️

[@stephendufort4154]

Advice worth following !

[@nuummuun]

Beautiful Interview Ânia ! Good to know that you (or your parents) are from Portugal. Se James tivesse um blog falando de política eu acho que eu o seguiria da mesma forma. :D Um abraço do Rio - Brazil. Paulo

[@EtchrLab]

Olá, Paulo! Sim, eu sou Portuguesa :) Nasci mesmo cá! Obrigada pelo comentário, fico tão feliz quando leio isto! É tão bom quando os outros apreciam o nosso trabalho - obrigada ^-^Um grande abraço! - Ânia

[@MyCardArt]

Very nicely done :)🦋👍🏻

[@EtchrLab]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lindaheath784]

Your water looks soop wet! I. Could jump into it!!

[@chigoziebenjamin5595]

How do I get this book colour +light i'm from Enugu Nigeria

[@harryward4693]

Which of James' videos was the background for the interview?

[@EtchrLab]

I don't really know - James sent us this video himself. He's awesome! - Ânia

[@coffi5589]

did someone found the name of the old school illustrator 22:40?

[@s.l.g.]

It's Zdeněk Burian!

[@coffi5589]

@@s.l.g. thanks a lot !

[@MelanieMaguire]

"...then, there was no such thing as plein air painting..." the 1980's. I've heard James say this on other interviews. It's such a bizarre statement. Plein air was popularised in 1830s when paints and palette were made portable for outdoor work, and was the preferred method of The Impressionists and The Hudson River School in the mid 19th Century. James Gurney is a wonderful painter with such an engaging personality and way of teaching. I'm a big fan. But I don't understand why he keeps talking as though he and his friends invented plein air in the 1980's. Thanks very much for the upload.

[@MelanieMaguire]

Ditto with "urban sketching". The label may be new, but the practice of sketching on the streets, in cafe's and bars, in public meeting places, etc is as old as the hills. Just look at a few impressionists' paintings. Like I said, I am a big fan of James Gurney, so I'm not meaning to be overly-critical, just frustrated at the misinformation.

[@danielnewart]

I think what he means is that the term “plein air” is a more recent one to describe that type of painting. It used to just be referred to as “painting outside”. He goes very in depth on Hudson River School and Impressionist plein air paintings on his blog. He is certainly not trying to take credit. His book Color and Light talks all about the long history and tradition of plein air painting and its importance. Hope that helps some.

[@fruitypebbles803]

@@danielnewart it would make more sense that the term plein air would have been first used in the 1800’s by the french people who invented it, rather than this American dude in the 1980s. A quick Wikipedia search shows: “This method contrasts with studio painting or academic rules that might create a predetermined look. The theory of 'En plein air' painting is credited to Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes (1750-1819), first expounded in a treatise entitled Reflections and Advice to a Student on Painting, Particularly on Landscape (1800),[2] where he developed the concept of landscape portraiture by which the artist paints directly onto canvas in situ within the landscape. It enabled the artist to better capture the changing details of weather and light. The invention of portable canvases and easels allowed the practice to develop, particularly in France, and in the early 1830s the Barbizon school of painting in natural light was highly influential.[3]”

[@smokeynewton]

Art school was waste of time and lots of money for my daughter. I won't name the school but they focused more on politics than art. During the 3 years she attended they never even once mentioned perspective much less taught it. Save your money and learn art other ways.

[@Seánybruv]

Lol every Australian pronounces emu eem-yoo, not ee-moo