Pen Over Watercolor | A Strategy for Sketching for Complex Subjects

Artist James Gurney combines watercolor and pen for a super-detailed sketch of a friend’s woodpile. He draws the lines last with a fountain pen.
WATERCOLOR AND GOUACHE PAINTS
Cadmium yellow light: amzn.to/2CuUtig
Titanium white: amzn.to/2XSOld4
Burnt sienna: amzn.to/2TEoC4D
Ultramarine blue: amzn.to/2Sm4FyB
Naphthol red: amzn.to/3AsnOCA
Liquitex Acrylic White: tinyurl.com/3saxurvk
Fountain Pen: Waterman Phileas: tinyurl.com/295jwduw
Platinum brown fountain pen ink: tinyurl.com/4bmxcz97
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
1⁄2 inch watercolor synthetic: amzn.to/3CqTZT9
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2LHomemade easel: sellfy.com/p/LnZ8/Travel Brush Set amzn.to/34rnDH9
VIDEO TUTORIALS:
Gouache in the Wild (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/gouache
Casein Painting in the Wild (Download on Gumroad): gumroad.com/l/casein
Watercolor in the Wild gumroad.com/l/watercolor
Animal Painting: gumroad.com/l/paintinganimals
Flower Painting in the Wild: gumroad.com/l/flowerpainting
Portraits in the Wild gurneyjourney.gumroad.com/l/p...
BLOG POSTS WITH MORE GEAR INFO:
Gouache Materials List: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/201...
Watercolor Materials: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/201...
BOOKS BY JAMES GURNEY:
Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time: amzn.to/3qPzMRt
Dinotopia: The World Beneath: amzn.to/3oiuIUo
Dinotopia: First Flight: amzn.to/3sR6KmE
Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara: amzn.to/2KFGeLy
Color and Light: amzn.to/3od6R8v
Imaginative Realism: amzn.to/3sTeap8
Gurney's official website: jamesgurney.com/site/
OTHER OFFICIAL SITES
Instagram: / jamesgurneyart
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
GurneyJourney Blog: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/
JamesGurney Website: jamesgurney.com/site/shop
Facebook group "Sketch Easel Builders": groups/40300...

[@StarlordStavanger]

man don't take this the wrong way, i know ur older than me, but i hope ur around for a long long time so we can enjoy your amazing videos for many many years to come! to good health and gouache!

[@katarinamor]

I find every video on this channel truly inspiring. I always find myself paralized by all those other channels that use titles like "The list of things you must do as an artist" and "The list of DON'Ts for an artist". While here everything is more like "Hey, look, that's what you can do", and it really speaks to the curious child I once was. Thank you, sir!

[@satexas]

This is Bob Ross's brother

[@cherilynne1946]

Anytime I want to shut off the chaotic world and invite creativity and its cathartic processes to take over, James Gurney’s videos have become my go-to place to breathe.

[@valeriekellum6552]

I like your philosophy about watercolor and gouache being “watercolor” until you add white, then it becomes gouache, and your combining of the two so freely.

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Mr. Gurney, you're a legend and we all are so blessed that you spend time with us and always offer sound advise. Thank you from one artist to another.

[@victor_on_cartooning]

Let’s gooo! Another video!

[@a.b9893]

Hi James. I've been doing digital art for two years. Yesterday, I graduated from university and bought my first gouache set. Your channel has been a huge inspiration to me for a long time, and I want to thank you for that.

[@KiX-K4T13]

This is why I love KZbin, right here. Just wanna learn a little by watching a fantastic artist paint using whatever they so choose. James always delivers some cozy, enjoyable content. I grab a cup of coffee and usually warm up while I watch these. Thanks, James! 😁🤜💥🤛🙏

[@MelitaBintoro]

makes it look dreamy, what a great way to incorporate both looseness and detail. and that you can take your time deciding on the focus after the paints do their thing

[@randominternetuser2]

James rocking the Land's End jacket, style! i love to see it!

[@anthonybarsness1462]

You’re as creative with your content as you are with your art work. Always enjoy your videos

[@Shebacca6000]

Life goals for me ngl

[@hippopotamusbosch]

I was expecting Jeanette Gurney to be teaching us pen and wash lesson today.

[@stephaniegrehan9084]

I love your cheeky use of greenscreen in your editing. Your videos are so nice to listen to, so calm and confident.

[@LoveBystroem]

it is always a joy when you get that notification of a new video from James, delivering intrigue and passion straight into my eyeballs.

[@DB-zo5ng]

I don't comment much, but would like to say thank you for the years of producing videos and making the time to discuss not just techniques, but a little art history, a little philosophy, talking to passersby. It makes the world a little bit better place. Much appreciated.

[@MichaelRpdx]

Great to see you back again.

[@Rollyourown1]

James for 3 years now you are by far my favorite painter / artist here on KZbin and you manage in your friendly way and your talent to inspire me again and again!

[@alex_montoya]

Your videos are fantastic, James. I own two of your books and they have proven invaluable as a deep-layered source to which I return again and again. Thanks a lot for everything!

[@Shebacca6000]

Yayyyyy what a nice treat on my break at work ❤

[@chrisbockman6771]

so absolutely cool!! We love you at LightBox Expo James!!

[@PleaseNThankYou]

I think I go into some sort of trace when I watch you paint and hear your voice.

[@ZER0--]

This guy is one of my favourite artists. You know someone is good when they make you think "I could do that. Looks easy". It ain't.

[@kllokoq]

your paintings look wonderful also when you are zoomed in. This is what truly fascinates me!

[@Surai00]

James has taught me that there is no restriction on how many kinds of paint and ink you can use in one painting. Fantastic, as always!

[@user-sb3wh3dd4v]

Totally missed the meditating Buddha statue on the left, positioned at the golden section. Only AFTER watching the whole video and pausing, did that jump out. As always James, AMAZING work. THANK YOU for all your wonderful insights!

[@m.rutherford9997]

I love, love the idea of using white acrylic paint to add as a texture, mixed along with the illusion of texture that a watercolor brush makes and the ink pen makes.

[@sanzoy]

This approach is brilliant. It still requires thoughts and skills to lay down the colors. But the process is much more manageable than laying down the lines first. I re-watched the key steps multiple times already.

[@ChristinaMandy_art]

So happy you still make new videos for us here on KZbin. I really enjoy watching you work, but also listen to some of your tips while I work on my illustrations. Your work is inspiring! 👩🏻‍🎨

[@DeadGuye1995]

While others may rise and fall. Gurney is immutable haha xD

[@deborahgoodwin3426]

Oh my goodness, there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing a new video posted by James Gurney! And this one is nothing short of fantabulous!! With great pleasure, I have already watched this wonderful rendition of the proverbial wood pile, so very well known to those of us who reside in New England. Warm hugs and mugs of hot chocolate.....I am going back to watch it again. Bless you Mr. Gurney, you have no idea how very much I have learned from you. 👩‍🦳🖌️

[@Netbug]

7:07 If I had skipped his ad I'd have missed out on another one of his signature practical effects.

[@donmarchini43]

Mr. Gurney, thank you for these vids. I still have a copy of your Artist’s Guide to Sketching…so to get to see you work and hear your commentary is some good stuff!

[@cgsales559]

Amazing, as always! I truly appreciate Mr. Gurney's work and work ethic. (And in case you're wondering, his gumroad videos are absolutely worth checking out!)

[@t0raneko]

Finally, he's back!

[@christophedevos3760]

Stunning. The approach reminds me off cell coloring of animation or in comic strips, very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

[@JeffLafferty]

Awesome piece. I lost track of your channel for a while, glad to see your still making videos!

[@DeadGuye1995]

If u dont pump out new ones per day, KZbin hides ur ass, rip lol

[@tanagreen6571]

All your videos have such a warm feeling to them, enjoying absolutely every second of it. Thank so much for the tips!!

[@Albinojackrussel]

That final image is so soothing to look at

[@ladyethyme]

Learn from the ultimate master!!! Thank you!!❤❤

[@garydrawsandpaints7745]

Great video so far James. I was showing my students a couple of gouache layout video a couple of days ago. They said to say hello!

[@jazw4649]

I thought you had on a Canadian Mountie outfit in the thumbnail! 😆 5:10 impasto areas with white acrylic paint! 💡 Great idea

[@13noman1]

Oh, I LIKE that approach. I'm pretty new to art (upon retirement), tackled drawing/sketching first (pencil, charcoal and pen and ink) and rather like pen and ink. I'm now adding watercolor to my repertoire and was debating using a mixed media approach like this - it solves a host of (detail) problems!

[@Azidust]

I love pen and watercolor together it give a more modern feel to the painting

[@vonjess9]

Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@Netbug]

Always a pleasure! Thanks.

[@BrailleScale]

Seems like a great way to quickly capture the lighting with paint and then worry about the fine detail whenever. Thansk for sharing! I have learned so much about capturing big shapes and then moving towards the smaller details from watching your content over the years.

[@ZzDe0]

mr. gurney this is truly exquisite!

[@boya2monkae]

I love this process video. Every time I see an artist use ink and watercolour it is often ink first then watercolour. So this was really eye opening to see the reverse and how it doesn't limit the artist.

[@mihailkondratyev8435]

Nice trick with the green screen in the beginning!

[@dmcdaniel2009]

AS ALWAYS, SUPERB !!

[@tomhoward8304]

You're inspiring to watch James. I take notes and try to implement them in my work, thank you.

[@grahamnightingale9513]

Thank you James ever helpful and its always appreciated too!

[@therupoe]

Always a treat when one of your videos pop up! Thank you

[@aeastman59]

I didnt see the star of the videos in this one (smooth)... the colors in this are beautiful!

[@jenslingspaint3523]

A quality entry as always. So glad to get a new video from you! Especially this subject. It is so easy to get overwhelmed in the details of a scene that complex.

[@fuzzydragons]

great job on the wood detail, and captured the colours of th3e scene perfectly 😀

[@LarsRichterMedia]

I have to try this!

[@vicnn1571]

I loooooove how creative and experimental and educational and and clever your videos are!

[@PopTartNeko]

Awesome stuff. Bought a book of yours called Color and Light like 10 years ago. Been a fan since.!

[@HalfWarrior]

When you mentioned filmmaking, James; my mind jumped to a video done by Aaron Blaise where he mentioned that you did the background painting in some older Disney animated films ,which I thought was really cool and wonderful because I didn’t know that. Thank you sir for your work and instruction; much appreciated!

[@victor1804]

Amazing as always! Thanks from Chile for all the knowlege you're sharing with us in these videos.

[@richvanatte3947]

Brilliant!

[@alatacak6270]

I absolutely love your videos

[@clintondavis3363]

Thank you for the ideas and demonstrations. So far, I’ve done pen-and-ink drawing first, then come in with watercolor, and finishing with gouache. I can see how your approach here would work with some subjects. Again thank you for sharing your ideas, tools and methods.

[@faithmorante]

What an amazing composition! I usually dont like ink and paint, but this one is so well done

[@Lauli55]

I really like going wet in wet with a fountain pen! More like "damp in wet" I guess, but you get the idea haha.

[@susankrzywicki]

Beautiful and inspiring

[@misty-step]

I like your advice about choosing what you want to focus in on, and then spend your time putting detail in that area then let the rest go with paint strokes. I will try to employ this technique/philosophy :) Thank you for sharing!

[@graciousmom4127]

Lovet as always! 🙏👍😍

[@ember1794]

Amazing!

[@sugaryxegnirys]

I look forward to trying this!!

[@mato579]

insanely beautiful technique :)

[@patmcdonagh8939]

Wonderful video, thank you so much

[@osks]

Vert nicely done!

[@aliceprofitt8506]

Very helpful! Thank You.

[@dfinchermd]

Glad I stumbled on to your site. I have a hard time with limiting detail and over drawing. This technique should be helpful. I also like the gouache and WC combination and your minimalist pallette.

[@DannySabraArt]

So cool to learn about some of those painters from history James! And the trick with the acrylic paint was a cool idea! I’ll have to try that. Does the acrylic resist watercolor?

[@DeadGuye1995]

They have water soluble and non, They even have water soulable oil? I guess so,i bought it, and it works but im no chemist, and it was only invented recently.

[@dorisdavidson7849]

Thanks that was interesting

[@deathmetalhell]

dude your creative use of green screen is so impressive and cool

[@CathyJohnson]

What fun and how inspiring, James, as always! Quick question...your pen has a flex nib, but the Waterman pen in the ad doesn't. Where would I find Waterman with a nib like that, please? Or is it what I call a Frankenpen, that you've added a different nib to?

[@anishsomanoff]

Amazing👍👍👍 😀

[@garthok6224]

Looking our hero getting old. I was worried after 2 months. I hope James stay healthy for many years.

[@Patxi__]

Great video, I love your channel and your work, it is so inspiring and informative.

[@user-pw1sb4ti4t]

Вы смелый и классный,у вас правдивая...я бы сказал очень честная гуашь,увидел ваши некоторые рисунки!Спасибо.

[@BlancaVarguesArt]

Wonderful painting as always, your technique is so attractive that it encourages me to try painting😍😍

[@VictorSanchez-vt9xm]

Love the hardcore intro music haha

[@ingidraws]

... when you said "Pen and Ink" > I was reminded of its meaning in Cockney rhyme-slang as > Stink :) Your videos have taught me so much -- and I honestly think that it's not only down to the techniques used, but the delivery, editing and humour 💪❤

[@kapildebnath386]

I watch each and every video of yours and try to learn, please make more art videos, we are waiting🙏

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

"It's a small world but, I'd hate to have to paint it"- Steven Wright

[@jesuscarmelorodriguezlem-id2vu]

Genial 👍👍👍👍

[@Ammon6]

Wow

[@derekfernandez7701]

I love your videos so much James!😍I learn so much from you thank you! (I just purchased your 'Colour in Practice' Gumroad tutorial - can't wait!)

[@OatActivity]

i miss your job painting. James

[@randalllaue4042]

Hero!

[@endzon26]

Missed you!

[@littlesparrowlisa]

Love it! Thanks for another great video! I haven't done much with watercolor and ink, but now I'm inspired to try. Do you think you'll do a video someday about the first method of putting down ink first, then watercolor?

[@DeadGuye1995]

Half a mil lets frickin go! Just noticdd i wasnt subbed on this account Feelsbadman

[@Ou_phrontis]

I love this! I find that when I try to do pen and wash I get too caught up in the details. Laying down the color first looks to be a good way to break me of that habit.

[@j.pearce3981]

i love love this method. so much fun i gotta ask about the buddha statue on the woodpile though...?

[@PeopleLovesDiamond]

Royal Canadian Mounted Police, thank you for your service.

[@roeyfitzpatrick5899]

I love this technique. You are using a fountain pen but the ink appears to be waterproof when dry. What type of ink dries waterproof but doesn't clog up the pen? Thanks.

[@JamesGurney]

A lot of artists use Noodler ink, which is at least water resistant. I use a watersoluble ink to keep my pen from clogging. If you put a wash over those ink lines, they will blur or dissolve, so I only rewet them if I want to soften the lines.