How Can I Paint a Landscape That Hints at a Story?

What can I add to a landscape painting to hint at a human story? How about a pair of bicycles and a family walking on the road?
The picture is still about space and light and the season, but now there's something to identify with, something to animate the space.
I start with pencil and then semi-transparent washes of watercolor and a few touches of opaque gouache. Using a fine brush I add a gravel road is lined with bare trees, vines, and grassy fields.
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and Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

[@macdieter23558]

I often think one could abandon you anywhere in the world and you would come back with a book full of amazing drawings!

[@clintburgess8568]

I agree! Well, he did literally write the book on this thing though, right?

[@suburbanhomestead]

It’s always “golden o’clock” in your paintings James. Loved this one.

[@mhu4559]

I love how he recreates the audio so it feels more immersive like the sound of the brush which although does not line up 100percent of the time do make a world of difference. Thank you for putting extra effort, love it

[@aleahlrb]

Really? I thought there was just some error during editing or exporting that made the audio lag a bit. I didn't realize it was foley.

[@Gibbons3457]

It was always my art teacher's rule, that if you want to imply a story in your landscape, add a bicycle.

[@JamesGurney]

I love your teacher. Also, bicycles are way better than cars for motif hunting.

[@gozinta82]

@@JamesGurney Gosh, I never would've thought after growing up with your dinosaur art that I would be watching your self-teaching videos decades later. Thank you for everything you do :)

[@kwanarchive]

@@real3ater Don't toot your own horn. :) (Unless your bike has a horn instead of a bell)

[@cdsketch]

You make doing those fine details with long haired brushes look so simple.

[@M.r..R.i.c.e.]

its satisfying to see you drawing with such a sharp pencil

[@DanceCanada187]

I normally don’t have much interest in painting natural landscapes, but every time I see one of your paintings I remember how captivating landscape paintings can be and want to start doing more

[@OneMoreJames]

Aside from teaching myself to paint, I find your videos, and your voice, calming and peaceful. Thank you, for being on KZbin.

[@jamesjacocks6221]

I would say you should stick to writing. I know nothing of your painting, but you were cutting new paths in literature some time ago.

[@johnwoodcock6468]

@@jamesjacocks6221 i would say u should have a look at some of the illustrations he does for the magazines. Absolutely top in his field. Unrivalled

[@jamesjacocks6221]

@@johnwoodcock6468 Wilco John, and thanks! My comment was just a joke, of course. (James Joyce...)

[@johnwoodcock6468]

@@jamesjacocks6221 its ok. I wasnt being funny.sorry if it came accross like that

[@jamesjacocks6221]

John, pls. don't apologize, you were entirely right, it's just that I was trying to be lamely funny. Pretty stupid when I look at it from a day's distance. Cheers!@@johnwoodcock6468

[@chocodo9]

I’m always so impressed by the way you use color. Great painting and very relaxing video to start my morning!

[@randalllaue4042]

So glad saw the podcast! Never would have known how invested in all this you are, or what you have done! There was a tweet about how many people loved you first book, they had no idea about your other areas of teaching...

[@BigBrotherMateyka]

Mr. Gurney, with all due respect...practically _every_ landscape you paint hints at a story; you can (and do) give even the most generic locale a character and a uniqueness. It's a quality I truly admire about your work.

[@kingpen1179]

I love your Proko Podcast ❤️❤️👌🏻🇵🇭

[@JamesGurney]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm a fan of the Draftsmen podcast and was honored that they asked. For those who want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6nOn2qMjMl-kJo

[@dianeo]

What determines whether you use watercolor or gouache? For example, why did you choose a gouache blue over a watercolor blue for the sky? I love the super close up shots of the painting strokes. This is a lovely serene painting including an arrow on the sign and figures in the distance for added interest. Very cool end bit with you peeking through one of the latch openings, :D.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks! I mix watercolor and gouache all the time. Here's more about that question: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2018/12/combining-watercolor-and-gouache.html#:~:text=Marko%2C%20First%20off%2C%20there's%20no,very%20close%20cousin%20of%20watercolor.

[@dianeo]

@@JamesGurney Thank you. I don't know why I tend to do all gouache or all watercolor paintings. I feel more comfortable combining the two now.

[@MuzikJunky]

It’s always amazing to see drawing and painting like this just spontaneously come to life, especially for someone who can’t draw at all. Keep on representin’ the ’Beck to the fullest! Peace.

[@deborahgoodwin3426]

Such a pleasure to watch this for the fourth time. Reassuring my eyes that with such minimalistic strokes in the hands of a surgeon and about one silly millimeter of paint, you have managed to recreate the smells and sounds and warmth of a much welcomed early spring day. Bless your heart for taking the time to share.

[@angelamarie2426]

You’re so good at what you do. One day, I’m going to set aside time, buy some of your tutorials and paint my heart out. Thank you for these videos!! God bless!!

[@weill6872]

Those outros are so satisfying...!!!

[@ato2268]

Thanks for your videos.. I got to know your channel through classmate's recommendation. Before, I thought I would only be able to draw.. Can't learn more sculpting or anything.. However, Since I got to know you, my passion has really risen and I believe that I can do more than just draw. And now, I feel very happy.. Thank you so much .. You are my idol !!! 😁😁

[@hildegardkhelfa5358]

Wooohooooo, a new video from you. That makes my day.

[@mrkrudedorf6355]

James Gurney you are a living legend. I hope one day become as good painter as you. thank you for your videos.

[@heinhtet2234]

I always like yout creative ending. 😆😆

[@bennydelarosa9064]

I think painting or drawing helps tell a better story

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

How inspiring! You are the best. It always amazes me how quickly you lay down your lines and then paint. Thank you for continuing teaching us more each time. I truly appreciate you. Blessings and be safe.

[@MrChinchilla_hn]

The people in the picture give the work a touch of lively routine.

[@shroomville1706]

5:07 i loved that part of the video 🥺

[@joaovictorcabanas8519]

You are such an inspiration to me.

[@christophermcclean4885]

Such incredible work, James. Very inspiring! You seem to magically turn simple locations into amazing artistic treasures.

[@pamgessler5923]

Along with a great tutorial, I'm enjoying seeing upstate NY again.

[@2SeamFastball]

Absolutely fantastic as per usual James. I learned a lot watching that, specifically about the branches and utilising a dry brush to generate textures.

[@johncollado1151]

Hi James... no black flies yet? Thanks for another great painting.

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, around here we're getting shad flies. Same thing?

[@DannySabraArt]

Really loved your sound design on this one. Great video!

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks! I had to do Foley work on the brush noises because of wind (and breathing) noise. Birds were field recorded in backyard.

[@DannySabraArt]

@@JamesGurney it was very immersive! Felt like I was right there. Thanks for the great video!

[@Mity_Moose]

En Plein Air, is so likable. But this goes beyond every day scenery we take for granted and pictures natural beauty with telling a story. You pulled it off well. Thanks for sharing.

[@catbraunwell6450]

Love this. Thanks James!

[@FreeSpokenOne]

Very nice, thanks for this beautiful rendition and I love your steampunk finale too. Okay… who thumb down’d this video? Are you serious?! ha People.

[@deborahfinney313]

Just fabulous. Love the shadowing and the people tell the story. Leaves me guessing what kind of journey they are on

[@boredgrass]

The brush is the closest we will ever come to having a wand and, indeed, at least the best brushes choose the wizard.

[@cherigreen4471]

Wonderful study and loved the end result! Also love your end titles they are so funny and clever! Thanks for sharing your talent! 😊

[@byronmaldonado4090]

Wow!!!! :-) nice painting!!! Blessings from Guatemala.

[@axbowf4924]

Ur videos are informative like of always.

[@karlab9557]

Love this painting.

[@roxisone]

Your videos are like teasers! Always leaves us wanting more 😟

[@GuenevereSchwien]

Love it. Nice addition of the family! Great demonstration.

[@dandansapainting]

Amazing painting

[@bruceosborne1892]

Great video James! Thanks.

[@rebeckyc1401]

YES I just loved watching how you make watercolour so natural. Love this calm work. Thanks!

[@HalfWarrior]

Always very impressive work,James! Thank you!

[@SiningniSing]

This makes me want to go out and paint.

[@dannyzimm]

I love how you represented the light around the bicycles... another nice video, thank you!

[@MrBreyd]

So right words at the end!...Thank you very much for your art.

[@victornoagbodji]

😊 🙏 😊 thanks for sharing this video. i particularly liked the message in this one.

[@grahamjones2759]

Great video. Loves the different brush strokes.

[@Citizen_X.]

I like how you have conveyed the effect of a sunlit road and grass. It is such a challenge for me to get that effect as I always end up making it look cooler. Also, maybe because of your use of a looser style than usual, this particular painting reminds me of J. Zbuckvic, another artist whose work I admire.

[@sarajamal799]

Beautiful!

[@nonmetallica11]

So therapeutic 💕😌 Love you videos and beautiful artworks So much to learn💯🤗

[@Preciouswatercolour]

Thanks for the new video.

[@brunono1970]

Always impressive... Wonderful job!

[@telldpablo]

How can you not like this! Thanks again James. (They must have pressed it by accident! We forgive you. 😜)

[@КалоянТилев-н4я]

That's impresive

[@michalsip7492]

Great work James! Thank you

[@solivee5485]

I am new to this channel, just discovered Mr. Gurney amazing. I also been wanting to know more about underpaintings and if I should do them or not.

[@GabrielStocktonWatercolors]

I have enjoyed this one thank you

[@juwenayu8913]

Such an inspiration. Thank you so much for your artistry!

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

That was really great. I like these short demonstrations; they are very inspiring.

[@justinamusicante9840]

ime gusto mucho este video y los de paisajes

[@suebrown3465]

Always impressed with your work To this day I will always use my high school art teacher's advice..”Squint” 🇨🇦 ❤️

[@manjarisaraswat693]

Mesmerizing💛🍃

[@unamxxx5547]

Genio

[@AKAndrew]

Love your work, and this is a particularly good one including the aspect of a journey/story. Do you go back to your studio and do larger paintings of your en plein air work, or are your notebooks the final product? Thanks for all of your insight and inspiration!

[@bilalalhaddad2620]

Cool 🤩🤩

[@Polecat54941]

You are a master of this medium and very inspiring, great job :)

[@sunilpund7787]

very nice video sir ... my question is how to blend colors - watercolors + goucache & only gouche

[@JamesGurney]

I'm working on a longer video on that video, should be out in a few months!

[@sunilpund7787]

@@JamesGurney .. Thank you so much sir.. We all are waiting for your new videos 😊🙏🌺🌿 stay safe, take care

[@wastelandtourguide5956]

Always amazed at how shadows immediately give life to a landscape. It can also be said that it is a visualization of nature indeed existing and occupying its place within your painting, not merely a blot of paint representing it. Also, Mr Gurney, is there any chance of acquiring a Dept of Art patch somehow? I'd wear it proudly everyday

[@epdsposta]

Amazing

[@TAB81]

Hey James, Any tips on keeping your colors from becoming muddy? Thanks for another great one! 👍👍

[@johnartgallery347]

I must sub you ,unique style!

[@henrycastle1]

❤️

[@brianlaughlin8974]

I noticed how the fountain pen was used for the lettering at the end of the video. Is that a "technique?" I use a fountain pen with the nib turned the other way. Is there a "correct" way, or just whatever works to give you a desired look?

[@leilazhen7386]

You are using the fountain pen the right way or the normal way. He turned over his fountain pen so that he can get a thinner line.

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, I'm using it upside down to get a thinner line, but the line tends to spread out over any painted surface.

[@olgajakobi8353]

Schön 👍

[@cosmicfxx]

Hi. Love your videos … but what paper do you use or recommend?

[@JamesGurney]

I'm using a Pentalic Aqua Journal sketchbook.

[@Stadtpark90]

5:23 final painting , 3:47 for comparison

[@lxoxrxexnx]

You seem to have a kind of unexpected ingenuity in your use of brushes; unless it's just my ignorance of well known painting techniques. Anyway, your stuff still looks realer than real

[@felipegomesart1821]

💪👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@shroomville1706]

Please teacher, what color do you use for shadows? Thanks in advance ;)

[@Rodutchi]

Any reason you didn't have a underlayer color?

[@dylangeltzeiler946]

So the Landscape is a Farm Road. Hmm, I suppose that “Exit” sign means that it leads to a different road route to another part of the neighborhood? Like a town or something.

[@ShahidKhan-pt7ko]

How to make u small paper panting very deficalt.

[@shroomville1706]

٥:٠٦ i loved that part of the video 🥺

[@efrainyurirojassuarez4183]

Que punto de referencia se basó para determinar el tamaño de las personas para incluir en la escena.

[@AndreGodoy1973]

Is he using gouache or watercolor? Thanks.

[@JamesGurney]

Both together.

[@AndreGodoy1973]

@@JamesGurney Ok, thank you!

[@markm3818]

MAS NOVELAS GRÁFICAS

[@rinhorvarah]

firstttt

[@Corinthians-kjv]

How did you do it?

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Why do you like gouache than open acrylics? They have more drying time and behave like gouache . Gouache is quite chalky. Only few gouache artists like you, who can create wonders

[@gerrylk9]

This man is in the middle of no where with a mask on, really?

[@jjutbalajj8972]

Great piece. I don't like the dubbed brush sounds; cheap and false and annoying. But great paint