I Paint a Frog and Wonder What He Sees

James Gurney paints a green frog from life as it rests on a lily pad for over an hour. Gurney uses watercolor and gouache over a casein underpainting.
He considers the question of the frog’s umwelt or its particular viewpoint of its environment and poses the philosophical question of whether we can ever know the subjective experience of any animal, given that each one lives in a very different perceptual environment.
WATERCOLOR PIGMENTS
Scarlet Pyrrol (tube watercolor): amzn.to/2WBHi68
Yellow Ochre: amzn.to/2XYzvSB
Cadmium Yellow Light: amzn.to/2CuUtig
Permanent Green Light: amzn.to/2UN9nr0
Cobalt Teal: amzn.to/2OJbqI8
Sepia amzn.to/2X7Ulgs
Titanium white (gouache): amzn.to/2XSOld4
M. Graham gouache primary set: amzn.to/2Zwd6rt
Richeson casein set: amzn.to/2L02U6R
OTHER SUPPLIES
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Homemade easel: sellfy.com/p/L...
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
Water-soluble colored pencils set: amzn.to/2DKmT5o
VIDEO TUTORIALS:
"Gouache in the Wild" (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/...
"Gouache in the Wild" on (DVD): kunaki.com/Sale...
“Casein Painting in the Wild” (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/...
“How to Make a Sketch Easel” (DVD): kunaki.com/Sale...
“Watercolor in the Wild” (Download) gumroad.com/l/...
Casein in the Wild: gumroad.com/l/...
BLOG POSTS WITH MORE GEAR INFO:
Gouache Materials List: gurneyjourney.b...
Watercolor Materials: gurneyjourney.b...
MORE:
Jakob von Uexküll and Umwelt: en.wikipedia.o...
Green frog (Lithobates clamitans)
Henry Beston, "The Outermost House" amzn.to/3homiYb
SIGNED BOOKS BY JAMES GURNEY:
Color and Light: A Guide for Realist Painters: amzn.to/2JhWtfc
Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn’t Exist: amzn.to/2LbVHhc
Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time: amzn.to/2xyamRM
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JamesGurney Website: jamesgurney.com...
Facebook group "Sketch Easel Builders": www.facebook.c...
“LIVING SKETCHBOOK” APP
Experience one of James Gurney's sketchbooks on your smartphone or tablet.
For iOS at iTunes: itunes.apple.c...
For Android at Google Play: play.google.co...

[@pop_tato]

i have concluded that frogs are just lost in deep philosophical thought

[@chrisong9883]

Expectation: painting a frog Reality: philosophical discussion on the nature of perception

[@filitaliangirl]

and the perception of nature

[@strider2015]

*yes*

[@cometmoon4485]

I mean, the title clearly says "I wonder what (the frog) sees". So I was of course expecting some kind of philosophical musings along with the painting.

[@nabeelaudah5171]

i came here for the frog and left with an existential crisis

[@seraphywang4638]

Nabeel Audah Same

[@totallynoteverything1.]

actually, after this video, I felt peaceful, I didn't eve nget annoyed one bit by anything that would annoy me

[@LolaMarigold]

HAHA Love this. You made me chuckle. ;)

[@victor1804]

Came here for the watercolour and gouache techniques and found deep wholesome philosophical content. James Gurney is a true artist.

[@unknowjlm]

I only wanted to draw too & now I'm caught in an existential crisis...

[@boredgrass]

The philosophy keeps the frog "focused" ...

[@SpiritusComics]

'deep wholesome philosophical content' Not really. Someone needs a primer in classical realist philosophy and the nature of being. I recommend 'An Introduction to Philosophy' by Daniel J Sullivan, as a start.

[@boredgrass]

@@SpiritusComics There is a difference between the sharing of thoughts and condescending prescriptions for a "one and only" philosopher, everyone is required to adhere to and to quote before he or she can be accepted into the graceful realm of your recognition...

[@foreign_objective2855]

I'm here for the frog

[@drdflwr]

by the way, the frog isn’t moving or blinking because it’s probably sleeping (and i do understand that the video is totally not about it, but it’s in case someone is worried about that little guy)

[@whimsy5623]

Awwwww that's cute.

[@shut.up.gabriel]

thank you friend!

[@BoliVic96]

thank youu! I'm guessing they live in wet enough enviroments that they don't need to close their eyes when they sleep?

[@Dennis-iy5rl]

Frog: Draw me like one of your French girls

[@saltlifegull4091]

OMG, LMAO! That's funny as hell!

[@dirtyharry1844]

Humans will never understand the inner essence of the animals.Just as i think i'll never understand how do you use colors.

[@eatea5415]

Wise words.

[@HalfWarrior]

Try some videos by Marco Bucci here on YT, for good explanations on color!

[@amassasa]

Ahahahaha! Me neither.... ;_;

[@Brian-ti6tt]

No one is this sincere anymore. This breaks the internet.

[@kathj2972]

well to be fair, some people are sincere - sadly they aren't usually considered mainstream. :((

[@latiie]

Yes there are. Unfortunately they are rare :(

[@beetlbi]

It’s been observed that bears will sometimes spend hours staring at things humans would call ‘beautiful’. I’d like to think all animals can appreciate beauty, even if it isn’t what we’d call beautiful

[@gollygosh3826]

why did people dislike this? this video is pure gold, created by a humble soul.

[@iwantw4fflefr1ez]

I mean.. At least it's only 22 dislikes?

[@Ashley-sy5kt]

Fun fact: your comment has more likes than this video has dislikes

[@gollygosh3826]

@@Ashley-sy5kt that is fun to know :)

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

All this beautiful things you say about the animals reminded me of a poem i read a long time ago here is part of it : The animals were imperfect, long-tailed, unfortunate in their heads. Little by little they put themselves together, making themselves a landscape, acquiring spots, grace, flight. The cat, only the cat appeared complete and proud: he was born completely finished, walking alone and knowing what he wanted. Pablo Neruda

[@dgoberna]

That's nice, thanks for sharing :) I found the original in Spanish "Oda al gato" ("Ode to the cat"), which is longer and beautiful :)

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

@@dgoberna ✋🏽😺🤘🏽

[@BoliVic96]

quien diria que los egipcios y pablo neruda tenian tanto en comun

[@evilClive21]

I wonder if there exists Art of colorblind people and how it would look like. I had a teacher who painted from life and was blind on one eye. You couldn‘t really tell that by his art it really had depth. I wondered how he achieved that and he told me he would move his head ever so slightly from side to side to get a feel for the dimensionality of his subjects he painted.

[@mr.creamiersteamiermemeier5919]

I'm a colorblind artist. Really my work is only found on Instagram @kaleb_m_art and it's not exactly professional. But, check it out if you like. I'm red and green colorblind (I have strong deuteranomaly). I've HEARD there's some bizarre color things going on...

[@nicholascaldwell6079]

The artist who created the original Firefox icon and logo is red-green colourblind. I believe he was a botanical artist before moving into the web world.

[@truedantell]

the twitch streamer Grigoriypeppo is colorblind, but also he doesn't that many colors in his work

[@gaspardpi]

Check out Oliver Sacks' collection of essays "An Anthropologist on Mars." It has a few essays about artists with unconventional ways of seeing.

[@recoveringsoul755]

The guy from the artist couple channel Doodle Date is colorblind. I found them when the glasses sold for helping colorblind people to see color in a different way crossed my radar. Watching some of their videos I realized I might have a problem with certain shades of brown and green. They had Copic markers and the Burnt sienna looked like Dark Olive green to me, and to others in the comments. And some shade of green like I think Virridian green looked like a beige tan to me. I haven't taken the test for colorblindness. Green is my favorite color, but wearing rose tinted sunglasses make greens seem brighter and greener to me, the sky is bluer. Apparently the gene for colorblindness is passed on through the X chromosome, so men get it more often, (since they only have one X chromosome) and for a woman to have it she needs both of her X chromosomes to be affected.

[@misterphayulirr]

I saw this as a wholesome meme online and came to watch a cute frog and left with a bit more wisdom & insight. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@BoliVic96]

don't understimate wholesome memes c:

[@decentgrocerybag4003]

I just thought you were like any other artist Didn’t know I was heading into the frog king’s territory

[@enzoqueijao]

Human: "We shall never understand what animals experience, for we can only relate to their experience of life through assumptions and extrapolations of our own; whereas, as far as we know, what they feel might come across as awesome or impossible to us, and vice-versa." Frog: "lif"

[@alliknowisthatiknownothing8247]

That fly at 2:52 trying to chill out until James brushed it away XD

[@javierjaviful]

art chills out everyone XD

[@vididi34]

Never imagined painting nature live can result into such a deep reflection about life

[@5ki11o]

So beautifully simple and complex simultaneously. The result of great observation and translation of colour and tone into fine draftsmanship. Are you ever going to publish your sketchbooks? Every painting is a lesson in itself and endlessly informative. Thank you for your passion. John (Australia)

[@KayInMaine]

So true. I've loved frogs since I was itty bitty. Wonderful painting.

[@user-so7nd5zl2b]

He’s like the kind grandpa I never really had🥺

[@josephlowry4320]

For all the beautiful things that Mother Nature has brought us and how James Gurney brought it to life with his amazing, wonderful painting talents.

[@frogking6416]

Came for the frog stayed for the life changing words

[@deba417]

Wonderful to watch the frog, lily pad and water painting come to life. Such a beautiful Henry Beston poem. Thank you.

[@geraldruiz2437]

How are you doing today Deb A? It's really nice having you on here...I saw your profile on here and i think we definitely are on the same page on many Levels. Trust, Communication, Loving, God fearing, Honoring, Understanding, Patience and Respecting Your Partner, So crucial to provide balance.

[@TY-vn5oh]

I am tearing up from the amount of comfort I am finding in this video

[@LucasStoten1]

This guy is just wonderful

[@someguy4194]

Cute lil frog! Great work and interesting narrative.

[@muhlenstedt]

Beautiful and very vivid painting.The frog is in a modus that saves energy, low temperature... I would like ro meditate like that and to paint like you

[@CaveTater]

This is my all time favorite video on the internet. The palpable sincerity and the complete lack of irony or loathing are simply incredible and an absolute breath of fresh air.

[@ShaunakDe]

Love this! I have been practising more water-colouring in the lockdown. Probably in like a 100 years, I'll be half as good as you!

[@akshaygowrishankar7440]

Good luck to you, I'm sure it won't take a century :)

[@weill6872]

I can feel that

[@sherrierichard2848]

Would have loved to have seen the full rendering of your frog...amazing lily pads, we see their edges and the parts that are semi covered over with water. Fabulous!

[@jhuztein1125]

I'm wondering though what you would have done if the frog jumped away haha :) but i'm really glad the frog stayed perfectly still, i bet he's flattered and knows you're making a beautiful portrait of him

[@chedoodles]

that's a commited model right there haha! i love frogs. wish i can see them up close too💜 would love to paint them

[@CountAxel]

You are a fantastic artist, and a wonderful soul.. and I cannot express how helpful your videos are... I'm an actor who has supported himself as a prop and scenic artist...and being able to convey your ideas visually as simply as possible is so important.. I've learned more from you, in a short period of time than many years of high school and collegiate art courses ...your technique is very straightfoward but the results look like magic!!

[@bluejjayy3425]

Please tell me once you finished this peice you showed the frog and his friends

[@johncollado1151]

Hi James.... I'd call that social distancing for the afternoon. Very nice!

[@cynthiasanfilippo5537]

I love how all the colors are coordinated and how they all come together.

[@joycebutler3494]

So charming and beautifully rendered with a poem so fitting. Thank you.

[@ellenarellano8794]

This is how true artist appreaciate everything not only his/her subject! 😊

[@teresamitchell-banks2286]

Lucky frog to be so beautifully immortalized and respected.🇨🇦

[@stolenzephyr]

This is wonderful. You have taught me a lot about painting, but also are full of kindness, thoughtfulness, and patience.

[@christianetanzler4611]

I truly love you and your gift. Thank you so much and I send you blessings from Germany!

[@ptaylor4923]

You're awesome, James Gurney. You're not simply a wonderful creative artist, you're a person who emanates radiance & knowledge. Thank you.

[@rachvonk6517]

I've been waiting for an art teacher like this! :D

[@sherrierichard2848]

Would have loved a longer video to see how you painted the lily pads and that frog!! did enjoy the philosophy too. Great little work!!

[@geraldruiz2437]

How are you doing today Sherrie Richard? It's really nice having you on here...I saw your profile on here and i think we definitely are on the same page on many Levels. Trust, Communication, Loving, God fearing, Honoring, Understanding, Patience and Respecting Your Partner, So crucial to provide balance.

[@sonseraedesigns7167]

Wow! In a time where people are having their brains be destroyed from negative news, your channel is a breathe of fresh air. Thank you!!!

[@del7920]

You have depth and insight James! It’s a pleasure to learn from you both spiritually and artistically

[@Renilou2]

Oh how adorable! And what a wonderful philosophical addition to this painting. It turned out beautiful!

[@chloricechlorice5249]

I came to see a cute froggie and stayed for the deep conversation about the cute froggie.

[@10AntsTapDancing]

My friends laugh at me because I regard animals as 'people'. Not in the sense that they are human but their own tribes. I am reassured that I am not the only one who thinks so. Henry Beston puts into words what I can only feel in my heart. Forever grateful for the knowledge Mr Gurney :)

[@sindy8011]

You hold so much power, realize it. Take control.

[@mickricereto8012]

Thank you for introducing us to Henry Beston - what a wonderful rabbit hole! Your zest of life is infectious; I just picked up Color and Light a few weeks ago and I already sense a huge shift in my observations of nature and my approach to watercolor. Thanks for all you do :)

[@gnvw]

Glad to see you're doing well James! Thanks for adding some calmness to our chaotic world, love your videos!

[@emrazum]

Short and potent, great quote at the end

[@madddie_bow]

this is so cute. I just saw frog in the title and clicked and I'm so glad I did. Will definitetly be back when I need to find peace absolute incredible!

[@natashagarciasart3963]

Finally got the Dinotopia books. My kids love them- of course I do too! They are so detailed and give an amazing story. I can't believe how much time and care you put into your art. Also, the little illustrations you draw for each book are just awesome! Thank you so much for sharing all this for everyone to enjoy and admire. You are truly an amazing artist.

[@JamesGurney]

Glad you like them!

[@elsenderotranquilo]

That frogs look really funny and nice. Awesome! :)

[@karar5711]

I just woke up and i started my day with your videos. Oh and good morning!

[@shan_known]

I love the editing, the art, but most importantly, The commentary

[@alexacurcuy9488]

That frog pose just for you

[@justsailing2189]

I just finished a watercolor painting with a little pond with my very first frog sitting on a lilypad ! Love this painting !

[@phyllissanfiorenzful]

Thank you so much for the animal facts.😔

[@jaycall9812]

it's like the frog is meditating but nature is anything but familiar, ordered, and human. I love the camera pan of the pond and lily pads.

[@BigBrotherMateyka]

Good heavens, your work is _magical_ Mr. Gurney. I can't help but beam from ear to ear watching your craft.

[@user-fh6sm4sb4x]

I almost cried at the end.

[@dmcdaniel2009]

LOVE YOU, LOVE YOUR WORK. ALWAYS A BLESSING TO LEARN FROM YOUR VIDEOS. THANKS !!

[@CLHall]

Frogs are my favorite critters

[@ivoryblack1701]

These videos are such a wonderful gift to us all. So much love and wisdom!

[@snickerdoodle8884]

this is.. the most honest painting in deep thought. thank you for this calming expirence

[@fayez7906]

Watching your video is kind of my everyday routine. I now start to learn gouache and watercolor myself! How amazing!

[@BoliVic96]

this is trully a gift, thank you, I wonder if frogs perceive their focus on their whole perspective unlike us who focus our eyes on a sigle target

[@Pipeperreafterdark]

This video is one of the best in this website. No doubt.

[@artgeometrix6346]

Such a great painting. That frog looks so alert.

[@donnamullis3138]

I love watch you paint animals I ❤️. animals!

[@geraldruiz2437]

How are you doing today Donna Mullis? It's really nice having you on here...I saw your profile on here and i think we definitely are on the same page on many Levels. Trust, Communication, Loving, God fearing, Honoring, Understanding, Patience and Respecting Your Partner, So crucial to provide balance.

[@3bdulazim]

i came here looking for art advises and left with breath catching wisdom

[@ivancastanedatorres8801]

Mr James Gourney the best always the best great video great art ...

[@jessicabuckham3421]

This is THE best video title ever of anything ever. This title wins. Put your youtubes away people; you'll never see better than this.

[@connormckenzie82]

I learned an incredible amount about perception

[@sherpah]

thank you for this dive into the artistic world, because apart from the technique, Art and in this case painting is above all a reflection on life, a form of spirituality, otherwise it's just making insignificant lines on paper... this frog allowed you such a reflection by observing it, that's art, we must see further and marvel at this expression of life other than ours ... and frogs are imperturbable posers! and your painting is great and has such a meaning now!

[@Shruti0178]

Most wholesome water painting video I have ever seen!!

[@cacteyes9432]

this gave me a lot of hope as an artist because I draw pretty loosely and have never really gotten the hand of painting but your technique with watercolors brings me a lot of joy because your technique at art is similar to mine, even in a different medium. Thank you for that :)

[@adamkowalski6062]

Mr Gurney you are a true magician. I just realized I still have my own dinotopia print from 1993. I used to be totally mesmerized by dinosaurs as a kid. Years later I have discovered your channel as an beginner painter, much to my surprise ran by the very same person whose book I used to read over and over as a kid. Anyway, just wanted to say I have ordered your two books - Imaginative realism and Color and light. Should arrive in two days, super hyped!

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks, Adam. I look forward to signing your books for you.

[@Tiramisu71]

You're a gem, Mr. Gurney!

[@vivam.793]

This is by far my favourite video on this entire platform. I've watched it more times than I can count, and probably will watch it several times more. Can't find anything like it.

[@JamesGurney]

Wow, thanks, Viva M. I'm honored.

[@vivam.793]

@@JamesGurney I'll be trying to get your book, 'Color and Light" for sure.

[@EdgarAHernandezArt]

Always love seeing your videos pop up on my subscription thing. Keep up the great work!

[@pranjalagrawal3055]

Your paintings are breathtaking and the words you shared with us are so precious. 🍃 Sending you good wishes from India.

[@omegasalmonfish]

Was not expecting James gurney to throw out umwelt but I love it

[@LoriFahy]

What beauty there is in the world.. this was such a pleasure to watch

[@javiermiraalborez9330]

You're a genius, you teached me in only 2 videos how to understand space and texture in watercolor

[@Occupant]

this is the purest video with the purest title on youtube

[@shan3622]

I have a frog phobia but seeing the frog painted makes me want to get close to it now

[@Copycat491]

one of the most wholesome videos ive ever seen

[@bibzybean]

oh to be a thoughtful frog being painted in watercolour

[@Galbex21]

This video changes my life.

[@RekiTenshi]

This was beautiful, under every aspect 🐸

[@jasonblahassecretbackupcha8917]

🐸🐸🐸

[@PenProd]

Love the Beston quote. That made my day. Great video.

Oh... finally I understood how to paint water reflections. It has been bothering me for a while and now I see you painting it... it's a bit of an epiphany. Thank you! Also, thanks for all the philosophical bits. That was super interesting.

[@parthadas1314]

your words are also valuable like your paint.

[@jinyoungpark2341]

I like to listen your thoughts, you gave me something to think about, thanks.

[@roxinmypox]

0000000000b 0

[@LexMex-gx5pz]

This is the kind or art friend we all need.

[@Skidmaster9000]

Man I thought I would just watch a frog's perspective, instead I see tons of comments of philosophy. Shit really gets me thinking sometimes and I'm actually pretty grateful I found these stuff

[@angelyrighetti284]

Who tf are the people disliking this videos? your art is amazing it always makes my day to see how you paint