Painting the Winter Forest in Gouache

James Gurney paints a snowy forest scene in the Hudson Valley of New York, accompanied by his husky dog painting buddy.
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Paint is M. Graham gouache: amzn.to/2tqa9v8.
Ultramarine blue, terra rosa, yellow ochre, and titanium white.
Travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Homemade easel: sellfy.com/p/L...
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
VIDEO TUTORIALS:
Gouache in the Wild (Download on Sellfy):
sellfy.com/p/X...
Gouache in the Wild (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/...
How to Make a Sketch Easel (DVD): amzn.to/2smDVAG
CAMERA:
Canon M6 (time lapse, video, and stills): amzn.to/2J4RTgX
BLOG POSTS WITH MORE GEAR INFO:
List of Gouache Materials: gurneyjourney.b...
List of Watercolor Materials: gurneyjourney.b...
BOOKS:
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
OTHER OFFICIAL SITES
Instagram: / jamesgurneyart
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
Blog: gurneyjourney.b...
Website: jamesgurney.com...
Music: Kevin MacLeod: incompetech.com/

[@ArtistGunja]

Which flat brush is that? I like short handle brushes these days as traveling with less weight is super nice. And I have one more question, how did it get dried if you are painting gouache like little wash?

[@JamesGurney]

It's a 3/4 inch short-handled synthetic brush from the "Jack Richeson Watermedia Pocket Plein Air Brush Set" Here's the link:amzn.to/2xwq1Rr I like the short handles, too because they don't bump into the camera, which is often about 8 or 9 inches back from the art. The gouache dried in a few minutes because it was average humidity.

[@ArtistGunja]

@@JamesGurney thank you so much for your reply. I would definitely buy and try those brushes! :)

[@marcobucci]

Love this stuff. Nothing more inspirational than seeing people out in the elements trapping good paintings in their sketchbook.

[@Kittenbombs1]

Oh hi Marco. It’s awesome seeing 1 of my favorite artists comment on another favorite artists KZbin. I taught a class on Skillshare and mention both you and James as great resources for people wanting to learn more about color and light. You both have helped me improve my art and I thank you.

[@JamesGurney]

Marco, love your channel. And I like the idea of using a sketchbook to trap fleeting things.

[@HomeschoolForTwo]

That gargoyle in the tree legit scared me 🤣

[@romigan1256]

that thing in the tree is amazing

[@ronschlorff7089]

I think that's why he said he's "in a place where people never go"! I wouldn't, with those strange critters in hollow trees!! :D

[@BrendaFOBRocks]

your painting is gorgeous but your dog stole the show!!

[@karengp8263]

I am so very thankful I found you! Such a joy to watch your videos! Thank you!!!❤️

[@DeParmie]

the good crunch of watery snow is so good.

[@manueltayo6859]

I can't believe that even an awesome and wholesome video like this gets an unlike.

[@gayleymadeira]

Such an enjoyable video! Makes me want to try gouache plein air painting. The sounds were very relaxing, and the music, and I loved the dog footage. The final painting was really beautiful and instructive, to see all the colors you chose to put into it. Thank you!

[@TwoLeggedTriceratops]

Gouache darn it you’re amazing at this!

[@moodybash7334]

I see what you did there 😏

[@christophergcarothers846]

great advice, and enjoy your quirky humor!

[@JaredCullum]

We are covered in snow here in Pittsburgh too! Beautiful demo. Always fun to see Smooth out with you. We got our son a chocolate labradoodle (he wanted a lab but I allergic to fur) and I can’t wait to take her on Plein air adventures.

[@tiagodagostini]

Your dog is adorable!

[@MedievalMary]

I really love all the playful fun edits 😁👍

[@danaesquires7571]

its so nice to see people painting in gouache. I love using it.

[@seahorse5689]

Love it and love the Smooth interlude. He's such a sweet pup.

[@romigan1256]

I love the warmth in your paintings, really gives the landscape a life of its own

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

[@rocaart9910]

James, you are wonderful

[@Coco2345ful]

Love this...especially the subject matter!

[@donnaeturner]

So nice.

[@LooneyCat55]

I learned about plein air painting from you and Proko, and gouache from another KZbinr, it encouraged me to try out the medium and it's my favorite, though I've admittedly done very little plein air. I'm in college now and have found myself with much less time for art (I'm a science major) but still am passionate about it. I then met an artist who was displaying his work at Disney springs in Florida and I really loved his work so I bought a print and brought it up to have it signed. We talked for a while and he told me that the best way to improve your work is to do plein air, something he wished he had learned at a far younger age. He told me that I should see if I can find a plein air group in my area to learn from others. Then he gave me two more signed prints of my choosing for free. He was so nice and amazing especially since I wasn't even studying art. When I got home, I was inspired to try plein air a few times and I have to say it is definitely a challenge. I hope to get a easel/pallette set up like yours to make it a more practical activity.

[@katsheetz]

one of our great neuro surgeons (who has retired early, dang . to paint ) started out as an art major. perhaps that gave him an edge for visualization of the intricate workings of the body.....so as you pursue your science curriculum , fill your notebook with sidebar sketches....keep a paper & pen notebook as well as your electronic one....keeping the eye, hand, and brain in practice....good luck have a great life...

[@babluebird]

we moved away from the snow and cold, so the only enjoyment i want [or need now] is paintings such as this one. great work as always.

[@OwliSketches]

Lovely painting and cuuute pupper

[@Mity_Moose]

A nice cloudy day for painting... No shadows. Great work once again.

[@AtomicEquinox]

I always love the character you put into your videos :)

[@aartadventure]

watching you paint is always magical to me. great video, doggo, and puppet!

[@facom40]

Congratulations James, it's amazing !

[@petermot645]

Great scene to paint, add your dog to it.

[@elliotxio5728]

I've only discovered you and your work about less than 30 minutes ago and I have to say I haven't felt such a burst of inspiration from someone in a long time. Thank you so much, I look forward to seeing more in the future.

[@JamesGurney]

Thank, Elliot, and welcome. More to come.

[@ptaylor4923]

Make sure you go to his website, too. He has years of blogs on watercolor, gouache, artists, plein air, making easels, and a gazillion other things. gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/

[@nalcarya]

The point where you make the first dark bluered layer of the water milky, is that a wash of white? That effect in particular, with the later added reflections, amazes me to no end ♥

[@JamesGurney]

I'm glad you noticed that. After laying down that dark blue-black color for the water, I realized I wanted to lighten it up a bit. So I rubbed it with a rag while it was still wet. I had switched to time lapse before that move, so it happens quickly.

[@madisonlalime8764]

Your channel has been so helpful for me--especially this particular video. I love the way you did the water!

[@dianeo]

What a lovely setting and how beautifully you captured it in gouache! I love how you split the screen to show the scene as you are painting it. How great is it to have a Nature Sanctuary to visit. I love how Smooth accompanies you and has the time of his life. Just wonderful.

[@JamesGurney]

Thanks, Diane. I think the reason Smooth became so playful was just to warm up. Much of the time when I'm painting, he sits beside me and quietly watches the trees for birds or squirrels.

[@terrywbreedlove]

I just took a photo a couple weeks ago that looks so so close to this painting. Crazy resemblance how fun

[@ztcanadacareersite]

you've got great skills my friend and not everyone has it, i hope you continue to enlighten everyone of us with that talent you are amazing

[@maxwelllepage5683]

Fun in all sorts of ways !

[@gailgassen8670]

This is wonderful! I love watching painting outside!! Thank you!!

[@alfredkokaku4338]

That bird just work up

[@skitoba]

loveley, playfull and entertaining! Great!!

[@celiptak]

Love me some Smoothie dog!! Really enjoying your videos!!

[@eyaldror]

Beautiful,thanks for sharing James

[@ronschlorff7089]

Lovely painting, and of course Smooth was there too as a bonus, I loved his orange "parka"! James had to pack it in before sunset, and get out of there, cuz dozens of those tree hollow creatures will be out,... and hungry, for man,.. and beast!! :D

[@dougg1075]

Dogs having a blast:)

[@antonioblanco3086]

Beautiful!

[@nelhurtado7767]

I love your dog !

[@super_pigeon]

Thanks for putting the watch in the frame. I have always wondered how you can move your hands so fast! :)

[@CharleyWang]

喜欢片头的应景多变，同样的文字每次出场都不同，喜欢片尾的幽默的小机械制作，每次看都想笑。喜欢本集树洞里的卡通，喜欢影片实在而幽默的风格。

[@Stikkelsbær]

Wonderful video. Great painting, great dog, and nice music.

[@Waynimations]

It just snowed here last night and I was thinking about your videos all morning

[@MrMoykanal]

Thank you for this demo

[@boopydoop491]

You always inspire me, James!! We just got a ton of snow here on Long Island. I'm gonna have to go show that to my sketchbook :)

[@01clave]

Beautifull

[@suminunnie]

Always stunning :)

[@GuenevereSchwien]

Awesome as always. I enjoyed the puppy play too.

[@i.george2321]

my dog brings me a piece of tree bark when i tell him: bark! And Im not even half disappointed

[@cleathercrafts]

Awww lovely Smooth

[@thabest007]

Wish I could find some real wilderness like that to paint. At least I have the oldest botanical garden in the world within walking distance

[@moodybash7334]

Atleast you have that 😌

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

2:55 in watercolor always need to be careful to save out the whites but with gouache can be free-er in workflow

[@juansalvemini9270]

You should paint a portrait of the snake waking up

[@essietangle9931]

Smooth is the happiest dog, it was so funny when he showed an interest in your hand puppet. The only part of your video that made me crazy was the snake!!! EEEK!! Here in West Texas we get bull and hog nose snakes. Some of them can get to be very large and creepy. Okay, the painting, always amazing to watch you work. Thanks for adding some fun to Monday morning. 👍🏻😁 🦖man

[@JamesGurney]

People who know more than me told me it was a northern water snake. Non venomous, and so cold he could barely move.

[@sampathsris]

KZbin: How many paintings of snow are you gonna paint? James Gurney: Yes!

[@JeemCar]

Thanks

[@poocholanska]

Music beyond cliche. Great.

[@tdbeekman5850]

🤣🤗 The ending … hahaha

[@byeforever]

Hi James...have you ever thought of also filming your face when you do these? Reason I ask is that when I'm watching you paint, I'm fascinated by the subtle movements of your hands and where you choose to lay down the paint early on. I'm curious as to whether or not you're painting blindly or glancing back and forth from the canvas to the subject. Thanks!

[@JamesGurney]

I tried putting a convex rear view mirror on the palette-not to look at myself, but to give the viewer an idea where I was looking and what I was doing when I talked. But most people, including me, found that device to be a little weird. I've also kept in mind the fascinating feedback to a blog post from 2012 where I asked people what they like (and don't like) about art videos. Link: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2012/01/video-in-works.html One of the comments was a reasonable pet peeve about too much time spent looking at the artist's face.

[@Parmie_03]

How long did it take you to make that?

[@anotherartist8238]

0:15 lol what is that!, a puppet lol

[@SC_XOLOs]

What’s the purpose of having your watch there ?

[@clinthathcock6078]

Excellent. What was the blue and red colors you used for the water in the beginning and for the reflections?

[@JamesGurney]

I was using ultramarine blue, terra rosa, yellow ochre, and titanium white.

[@clinthathcock6078]

Thanks!

[@jamescunningham4418]

was that a Jersey Devil pup in the tree?

[@adrianrosario6457]

How do you manage with the cold and your hand not getting frozen 🥶

[@JamesGurney]

Fortunately it wasn't too cold--just about 40 degrees F.

[@ronschlorff7089]

I painted in snow a lot in winter at Lake Tahoe, and surrounding Sierra areas, around ten years ago, but you will get cold, and even your oil paint, which I used then, will get affected, get sticky, need medium to loosen it up. You don't notice it too much as you work, but when you finish you can't pack and get out of there fast enough, especially in late afternoon, like here, and sun going down and temps plummeting. But you get great some effects in snow paintings, not found in other landscapes, and people know you put much of yourself into them. I used those fingerless gloves, lots of layers of clothes, good boots, and I'd bring a little rug to stand on, so I was not directly on the snow itself. Still needed a good hot meal, and lots of whiskey, or brandy afterward though!! ;D

[@anetajohnson8446]

look"s like its to cold to go streaken in the woods!

[@sohamhasabnis1989]

Hello sir...As am a big fan of you...This painting is awesome..I have liked every video of yours....I also paint in watercolour..Currently studying in 9th std..Eagerly waiting for many more such videos in future..I have also subscribed you..bye

[@lindacsmith13]

I like your new intro and ?outro? (and your dog and painting.....)

[@JamesGurney]

There are endless variations of those DIY animated letters. Here's how I made them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnvHo5-Qic2nlbc

[@hanolalaith11]

Why do you clip a watch to your easel? Have you set a time limit for yourself?

[@JamesGurney]

Good question. I don't look at the watch while I'm painting. It's a way of giving the viewer a sense of how fast the time lapse is moving, because it's hard to tell otherwise.

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@JamesGurney Yes, and it shows you are "moving apace" on your work, and not just dinking around all day, the way a lot of amateur people painting out doors do. And then they wonder why their paintings suck so badly at the end!! :D

[@nellami5853]

sir? What is the name of the paper product you are using now?(Brand name or product name) (I do not speak English and I use translator. I apologize for the unnatural part.)

[@JamesGurney]

It's a Pentalic Aqua Journal, a watercolor sketchbook.

[@nellami5853]

@@JamesGurney thank you You are good at drawing and very very kind. You are the perfect man.

[@Sarah-pt2zj]

I own one of your books but recently found your channel, love these videos. Not particularly talking about this video but something I have trouble with when using gouache is knowing when to create light areas by leaving transparent paint or by mixing a light color with white to go on top. I notice in some of your paintings you do both, is there a method to it or just whatever seems right at the time? It sounds silly but get a bit overwhelmed with all of the options when using transparent+opaque paint in one picture.

[@JamesGurney]

Sarah, good question. When I"m working on white paper, I generally use both transparent and opaque passages for the light areas. If I have a strongly colored underpainting, it forces me to use opaques for the lights. You'll find both methods in my various gouache videos. There's no right or wrong. I'd say experiment with both ways and see what works for you.

[@benmigliore]

Is there a particular benefit to starting transparent to opaque?

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, it's easier to get soft transitions and quick textural variations with transparent colors. Then opaques allow special kinds of drybrushing. With gouache you can combine transparent and opaque passages in the same painting.

[@benmigliore]

James Gurney good to know. Thanks so much for answering my question

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@JamesGurney Yes, I've found all mediums best handled from thin at first to heavy at last, even oils which I often start quite washy and build and build layers to final opaque juicy color, right up to the last "fifty guinea touches" (as Ken Howard calls them) of detail and highlights!!

[@xkallari4765]

0:15 hahahaha it killed me

[@sergelivernoche9928]

I love this video.. but hate snakes 😱😬

[@JamesGurney]

Luckily he was pretty sluggish because it was so cold. Also harmless anyway, but I jumped anyway.

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@JamesGurney Yes, snakes will make you jump! Even if you don't know if they are dangerous! I was hiking up a mountain in San Bernardino Co. Ca. years ago, looking for eagle nests, and as my foot went down I noticed a snake coiled in some rocks, where I would step; it was a small rattle snake. That's when I found out I could "levitate", if there was a dire need!! LOL :D

[@PeterChorao]

🙂👍

[@leej56]

funny that you would show a sign saying no pets then have your dog with you

[@wallasaurus_9241]

Wtf is that thing at 0:16?

[@solchoun4111]

What the 0:15

[@davidwang9900]

wo ow

[@bennydelarosa9064]

First