Pen Over Watercolor | A Strategy for Sketching for Complex Subjects

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@kllokoq]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@christophedevos3760]

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

[@mihailkondratyev8435]

Nice trick with the green screen in the beginning!

[@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!

[@KitKatWiffleBallBat]

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! 😁🤜💥🤛🙏

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@stephaniegrehan9084]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@victor_on_cartooning]

Let’s gooo! Another video!

[@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.

[@hippopotamusbosch]

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

[@MichaelRpdx]

Great to see you back 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!

[@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

[@chrisbockman6771]

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

[@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.

[@Netbug]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@Albinojackrussel]

That final image is so soothing to look at

[@randominternetuser2]

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

[@Netbug]

Always a pleasure! Thanks.

[@Azidust]

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

[@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. 👩‍🦳🖌️

[@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!)

[@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!

[@grahamnightingale9513]

Thank you James ever helpful and its always appreciated too!

[@Shebacca6000]

Yayyyyy what a nice treat on my break at work ❤

[@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.

[@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.

[@tanagreen6571]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@therupoe]

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

[@tomhoward8304]

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

[@PleaseNThankYou]

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

[@ladyethyme]

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

[@vonjess9]

Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@victor1804]

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

[@jazw4649]

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

[@vicnn1571]

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

[@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!

[@LarsRichterMedia]

I have to try this!

[@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.

[@ZzDe0]

mr. gurney this is truly exquisite!

[@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!

[@t0raneko]

Finally, he's back!

[@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.

[@PopTartNeko]

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

[@dmcdaniel2009]

AS ALWAYS, SUPERB !!

[@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.

[@fuzzydragons]

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

[@sugaryxegnirys]

I look forward to trying this!!

[@susankrzywicki]

Beautiful and inspiring

[@aeastman59]

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

[@faithmorante]

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

[@alatacak6270]

I absolutely love your videos

[@richvanatte3947]

Brilliant!

[@dorisdavidson7849]

Thanks that was interesting

[@КонстантинРязанов-г8е]

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

[@patmcdonagh8939]

Wonderful video, thank you so much

[@kapildebnath386]

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

[@mato579]

insanely beautiful technique :)

[@garthok6224]

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

[@BlancaVarguesArt]

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

[@ember1794]

Amazing!

[@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 💪❤

[@graciousmom4127]

Lovet as always! 🙏👍😍

[@osks]

Vert nicely 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.

[@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?

[@aliceprofitt8506]

Very helpful! Thank You.

[@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.

[@Patxi__]

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

[@OatGouache]

i miss your job painting. James

[@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.

[@anishsomanoff]

Amazing👍👍👍 😀

[@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?

[@VictorSanchez-vt9xm]

Love the hardcore intro music haha

[@Ammon6]

Wow

[@endzon26]

Missed you!

[@j.pearce3981]

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

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

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

[@DeadGuye1995]

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

[@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!)

[@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.

[@UCG7]

​@@JamesGurney , I am using a same Pilot 912 pen with yama-guri ink, but it appears much bolder on the painted surface than on the plain paper. Even the back of the tip is too bold for a finer lines. How did you solve this?

[@mikedameron602]

Not familiar with your videos, yet. I've been doing ink and watercolor for quite a while (decades) and found the video interesting. I even took a "Great Courses" class and a formal class, years ago; both included the technique. It's a useful tool en plein aire to speed a painting. I was wondering why you use a fountain pen instead of a felt tip. I like the variety of felt tip sizes that are readily available and readily give the drawing a "textured" quality with the various line sizes. It can be easily overdone, but it has worked. I did a series of drawings based on some by Henri Matisse, and used the technique to add my "take" to several drawings. I also noticed the ink added into wet paper. I wondered if you use water-based ink or not. I'll have to do some tests on that, I have both in the studio. I get a similar effect from water soluble graphite that I use for sketching before adding paint. The graphite diffuses for shadow, etc. I'll look over your videos. Your presentation looks to be easy to follow without a lot of chatter that I see in many "how to" presentations.

[@catoblepag]

Nice work! I see you've used some kind of brown ink, right? That might be another reason for doing watercolour first and ink later, 'cause most color inks aren't waterproof.

[@DeadGuye1995]

And explains the meticulous way of older european artists painting around their ink, aka using delicate light washes. Aka making the paint colour fade and not looking so good later. Im sure wet ink into wet colour aint good. But Gurney knows what up lol

[@randalllaue4042]

Hero!