How to make color notes - FULL process & tips ✶ Gouache plein air sand dunes

Today I want to share my full process for going outside to make color notes. Training my eye to see color and mix what I see is an extremely important part of my learning process. I'll be using gouache in my small sketchbook to show you what I do to learn how to mix color on location. This method can be used for any subject and with any type of paint.
00:00 Intro
01:25 Becoming observant
03:01 Supplies
04:57 First swatches
11:38 Second swatches
Videos you might be interested in:
➤ How to paint sand dunes • How to Paint SAND DUNE...
➤ My favorite plein air setups • my favorite PLEIN AIR ...
➤ Deep cleaning my gouache palette • How to DEEP CLEAN your...
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[@tschuhster]

I hope Scotland tourism is paying you for the videos. Videos like this really make me want to travel there.

[@AmandaJaneArt]

Thank you for actually explaining colour notes. I’ve seen artists do this before but never really understood what they were doing.

[@noellesercer9978]

I actually love how yellow the sand is in the first painting. You’ve most likely already realized this but beyond the context of being right there on the beach, it really is an appealing palette because of the relationship of the complimentary colors yellow and purple at a wide contrast in value. I celebrate your accomplish and appreciate your content!

[@joannebrunt7189]

I’m very new to painting and trying to understand colour is a huge challenge. This video is an amazing help! I was having trouble seeing the blue in the shadows until you staring painting with a blue and then it just jumped out at me. So cool. Thank you 😊

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

There’s the added challenge of painting the effects of light/atmosphere - which throughout history was often represented by blue. Until the early impressionists started doing that, it wasn’t really common, and then suddenly, paintings look so atmospheric! Look at John Singer Sargent’s work…incredible understanding of light in the landscape

[@jojojo8835]

Once when I was in a field to paint a sunset (so very warm yellow light), I put my open white paper sketchbook on the ground next to me while I was getting my flask of tea, and noticed the cast shadows from taller blades of grass looked bright bluey-purple on the white paper. The colour was such a surprise I reached for a matching coloured pencil and just traced and coloured in the image. It’s one of my favourite pages and a really memorable colour lesson learned.

[@jcline147]

When you said “it’s not about getting it right the first time.. that’s really rare “boy isn’t that the truth ha ha. I wanted to make this one of my first paintings with gouache. I finally bought some ShinHan Gouache, and it’s so much better to work with the other stuff that I’ve had …so I’m pleased …and I had fun …and that’s the main thing. Plus…I certainly learned a lot, I can tell you that…so thank you for doing these videos. They’re so very helpful.

[@ThatLazyStray]

Even though we paint different subjects, i find your information on water control and colours super informative and helpful. I still suck at gouache, im a much better watercolourist, but every time i watch these video's it inspires to pick up the palette and try again. I've even dabbled in some landscapes now, just to try something new! Point being, yes, this video was super helpful and i would love more on your colour noting process, including all the blunders.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That’s great to hear! I think this method works great for any subject and any paint medium. I hope you stay inspired 😄

[@indigohart7180]

A terrific vlog on colour study and I love the parrot cam footage 📸!!! Yes to more colour studies please. Thank you Sarah. 🌊✨ 😃😃😃

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Parrot cam works great…when it works! 😂

[@KirstenCarlsonDesign]

Loved watching you in action! Mom watched with me and loved your painting! I knew she would! 😁

[@GrandmaMuggy]

This is a great lesson. I am a watercolor painter but can see that these tips will definitely help. Painting outside is a real challenge!

[@simplelife9020]

Thank you for this vid! Mixing color is so challenging for beginners like myself and this vid was very informative. Eventhough they were studies they look beautiful and the colors are so harmonious with each other!

[@nancyrolfe3033]

I’ve just began watching your videos and I’m here to tell you that you have given me most useful and valuable information and insight into understanding how important it is to REALLY understand the colors and all that they do with the other colors on my palette!!! So many times it’s just been about lots and lots of beautiful paints…. I’ve been so confused and with quite a bit less money in my wallet 😂😂 I’m sick KZbin doesn’t put everyone videos on a feed immediately and let US decide?!? Just extremely grateful for your help ❤

[@andrecardon2141]

One of the greatest pleasure of gouache or wc is to paint outside. Tku to realize a plein air vid.

[@mildredmickle4434]

Sarah Burns, thank you for sharing your process of learning. My teacher said gouache is difficult, and I see why. She also keeps telling me to do color studies like you did in this video. However, what resonates the most for me from this video is your advice to just try stuff out and see what works because that is the best advice to learn. :-)

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

That’s exactly how I learned (and still do!)

[@helfinnaofhelheim3702]

Really helpful! I've used watercolor for years and am just starting to learn Gouache. Your videos are very helpful with that.

[@katalindejong8388]

I love listening to you.... you have a lovely calming voice 💜

[@shayjones954]

I live by the Washington coast and I agree on the dunes! They are fascinating! And they change all day long!

[@MeanColleen]

Yes please! I have been inspired by you to not only paint with gouache, but to plein air as well. I am slowly gathering supplies to be able to accomplish this. You are a wonderful and talented teacher, in addition to being a very talented and skilled artist. I just happened to stumble upon your channel while I was looking for tips on painting with gouache, and there you were. Slowly getting caught up with your videos, primarily focusing on gouache but will watch your watercolor videos as well just because that is something too that I have just tried to get over the scary feeling and paint.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Hello and welcome! I kind of go through phases of working with different mediums 😄 I love pretty much all of them. But gouache seems the most versatile and I just cant get enough of it right now!

[@MeanColleen]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I forgot to ask you, but is this the palate you use when you plein air paint? Or does it depend on what subjects you are going to be painting? Thank you so much, you have been my inspiration to go outside once it stops raining and start painting.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

@@MeanColleen Yes, this little gouache palette is what I use for 90% of my gouache plein air. The rest of the time I use my slightly larger Guerilla Painter 6x8 Thumbox.

[@MeanColleen]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thank you

[@zoewhiteart7676]

Your one of my fave art youtubers, love these art, plain air vlogs you due. Thank you for all the hard work you put into these videos.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I’m glad you enjoy them! I love making them

[@LoriDonohue]

Sarah, This video is extremely informative. I appreciate your real time honesty regarding your process. This makes me feel like gathering up my paints and sunscreen and venturing out! Thank you very much.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

If nothing else its a wonderfully relaxing way to spend an afternoon 😎🏖️

[@claritzairosario68]

Very interesting! You are right! Painting directly on the sun, can be disturbing the colors! OMG! That's why you love to paint on toned paper....

[@brendacookiebreton4481]

I loved this video. I learned so much. Thanks for being authentic and honest. So reassuring to see your strategies. More of these please.

[@janm8477]

Wow. Thanks so much - just a refreshing, calming video in itself, but also a wonderful art lesson and inspiration.

[@jenniFaux1]

I love these color studies!! I tend to get too dull with my colors when I'm trying to "match" something. I love the way paintings look when I exaggerate the colors that I see! I love to see the varieties of colors you end up using!! Beautiful!

[@deborahmeyers551]

Sarah Yellow ochre mixed with any purple makes sand I use French ultramarine and aliz crimson and yellow ochre.....this tip was from Roos Scherring awsom artist 🥰🥰🥰 thanks for sharing yes I found this helpful Sarah

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yes, I have lots of strategies to mix sand colors, but it is all relative to the lighting of the day and surrounding objects

[@deborahmeyers551]

@@SarahBurnsStudio exactly Sarah 💜

[@skerrie1]

I loved this so much!! You are so talented with your art that it is nice to see your "practice" notes. When you see your art without these notes, etc., it seems as if you just painted it and it was perfect.

[@omheart11]

This is SUCH a helpful video! Thank you so much for sharing this. It's invaluable to get to hear the thought process and reasoning behind artistic decisions. I also so appreciate how you put it together and layered images to illustrate what you were saying. 10/10! Chef's Koss! Can't wait to put these into practice :)

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You're so welcome!

[@jaxsonlopez6109]

I loved this so much! Really felt like I was just chilling with you at a beach watching you paint, so inspiring and calming!

[@NoireLeoArt]

This was very helpful and so soothing with the waves sound in the background! 🌞🌊

[@vincentmonet6172]

Nothing better than being out and painting what’s around you. Especially so if by the sea! 👨🏼‍🦰👌🎨🖌

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Helpful tips, beautiful mini paintings Sarah! I am about to venture into the world of gouache… Thanks for sharing the issues of beach/dunes painting!! 🙏🏾😃👍🏾

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You can find the dune tutorial in the description if you want to start there 😃

[@kerrimckenzie4594]

Colour study in watercolour would also be wonderful, loved this video, thanks ❤

[@maryjanethompsonthefirst]

I love this. I'm a new learner and I finally know what those little swatches are for. Thank you so much

[@experienced.novice]

Wow, I learned so much about mixing, adjusting, experimenting, and how to hold the brush to fan out the bristles - thanks so much!

[@nadlera3]

You talking through what you’re thinking is extremely helpful to this newby. Thank you!

[@mwGoosman]

Thank you for your blog…I enjoy what you share. My other favorite thing about your channel is how you show your creative process…like how you take color notes. I need to use that strategy…your mellow and calm voice is a joy to listen to😊. Have a wonderful pleine air event.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you so much!

[@michemman]

Dear Sarah, Quick little fact; We have yellow sunlight and purply blue shadows. If we had a red light source, we would have greenish shadows. It always is the complimentary! In kindred spirit, Eliza Australia Sat 4th of June 2022 10:55am

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Fascinating! Where did you hear that?

[@michemman]

@@SarahBurnsStudio I was told it years ago, in colour classes by a lecturer. It is useful to know if you go to Mars, (my novel lol is set there,) orfor reflections and shadows of red light/green light intersections.....during a wet or dark evening perhaps?

[@marlbboro8091]

I am starting a 1 month 1 palette to really understand my Himi gouache 18 pan palette . A beginner here, so appreciate this insight into the ‘work’

[@mklarson2980]

This was so instructive! Now on the hunt for more color studies of yours like this in watercolor. I love the real-life sand, sun, glare issues you show, it's a true experience.

[@hayatehideki1]

I adore your videos! Thank you for this one particularly. As far as we painters are really on this road by self, it’s so nice to have this kind of connection and the experience sharing. Thank you so much for all that you do here on KZbin really! ♥️

[@starr-starr]

Thank you! This was so great to watch. You are one of my primary inspirations to go sit outside with my tiny sketchbook and watercolors and paint.

[@tracycurry5724]

I loved seeing and hearing the thought process in action. Great video! Hope you make more like it. ☺️

[@suzannekrueger2438]

I am so glad I found you! Great lessons. I’m going to have to learn to be more patient and take more time to observe and practice.

[@rhonda1631]

You mentioned in the beginning of the video that you would do another one of these video's if we would like that. PLEASE do, I loved it. I'm having such a hard time of just getting started. I don't know what to draw, I want to make it perfect, in the end I don't do anything cause I'm so overwhelmed. By you just doing this little patch of grass helped me. Thank you

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Yes I am working on it :) Glad it's helpful!

[@GM-yn9nc]

Sarah, Yes, the color notes are very helpful. I love that part of your outdoor experience.

[@XStephandOliviaX]

Good place to get some painting in!! Love this video Sarah. again! your work is so beautiful! 💚

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you so much! I love that whole area!

[@shankar4510]

oh wow now i realize how wonderful gouache medium can be . and so lightweight .the blue in shadows matches perfectly with grass. great inspiring video .

[@sleepyusagi]

this video is AWESOME - process videos like this that show the experimentation that goes into making art is so helpful and important for other artists to see! thank you for sharing! The ending is how I feel when I try to match foundation, it's either too yellow or too pink! gimme that gray zombie undertone pls lol. But in this case, I think both versions look like a stylized interpretation of the colors that you saw, and work really well in their own right. One of my favorite things is making something that looks cool on accident while experimenting and playing with paints, and then using that knowledge in future pieces.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

🤣

[@davecolumbus8014]

I learn more watching you paint than listening to how it's done. It gives me hope that one day my landscape studies will actually make me happy.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Keep at it! Every artist started at the same point and had to work hard to learn

[@jofox1186]

This is a super helpful video. It shows so clearly how human eyes adjust to working in really bright sunlight and how they see sunlit areas from a position of shade. I think the colours you chose were actually really close to the colours your were seeing. My experience of sand, when looking with my face in full sun, is that it is pink too. I suspect this is a natural optical effect which you picked up on. Great video - thanks!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

It’s very fascinating!

[@andrecardon2141]

Tku Sarah to show us the difference when we paint out of sun and on the sun, the search of the hue is a really lesson of observation.

[@sabine4480]

I just discovered you few weeks ago and I'm so grateful! I love your vlogs and tutorials and everything, THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing and all the work you put into! It's so encouraging!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

You are so welcome!

[@francinepearson9182]

You are Fabulous, honest, and open - Which helps me understand myself in my paintings! To - Look, See, Observe, Feel and Be "Just go for it"

[@simaabedini5908]

I absolutely love sand dunes , it’s grasses and colors . Please do paint them as much as you can . 👏👌

[@trustyourheart9098]

I love seeing this process .

[@kr2112]

That was great! Thank you!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Wow I have got to do some color studies now. I have been painting for almost 3 years and I have never really tried to do any color mixing before putting my paint on the paper. I definitely see by your study how painting in the sunlight or shadow makes a difference in what you are doing. So many details & lessons learned from this video. Thanks for sharing this wonderful informational video with us. Thanks for taking us to the beach/dunes as well.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

So glad you found it helpful! It's a very relaxing activity as well. There's no pressure to paint a pretty picture. Just mix and learn! Great for days when you don't have as much time, or not feeling ultra inspired

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Thanks for the inspiration & encouragement. 😀💕

[@retrococonut6437]

Oh my! I just stumbled onto your channel Sarah, and just , wow! It is so informative. I live in Florida near the beach, and you have inspired me to pick up some travel art supplies and go put my toes in the sand! I need to get out of my comfort zone (my studio), and explore my surroundings more. I will definitely be binge-watching your channel for inspiration and advise.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you! Welcome :)

[@VickersConnie]

That was awesome!!!!! Thks for sharing 🎨

[@creativitybytrisha6819]

This is such a wonderful process to watch and learn from.

[@Gwenvir]

That is such a generous process share! Thank you so much!

[@frances7885]

I love hearing about your process, it makes me feel like I am with you. I have been watching you since before your move to Scotland and I have learned so much from you. Your love of nature, rock, sand, water, life,etc, is filled with a poetic sense of freedom. Thank you for sharing all of your artistic talent and hard work, (and play); you give me a true sense of exploration and you challenge me to just try.

[@carriekorb46]

So helpful-love it when you share your decision making process!

[@brendayarborough1271]

Very helpful tip on training the eye to see the colors and doing the color swatches. I don't think I've ever heard it put quite that way and it rings sooooo true!!

[@wademfp61]

Great help Sarah, thanks.

[@TheInappropriateArtist]

Thank you for sharing the reality! I admit I paint mostly in my van with the doors open so my environment is quite controlled because of that. I struggle with wind it is my frenemy keeping me cool yet getting sand and dirt and leaves in my paint. I cringed in pain when I saw that sand on the top of your palate. All I could think after that was how is she going to clean that!? You inspire me ❤️💝

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Sounds like you have a great setup being able to paint from the van! I would love to do that someday. With my palette, I ended up spraying it with water, then wiping as much off as possible with my paper towel, and it worked pretty well (admittedly there are still some grains in there and probably always will be!)

[@brittamai5367]

This was extremely helpfull for me! I would watch a ton of those tutorials from you, because it is exactly what I needed, right now, at this point of my painting journey. Thank you so much!

[@danielavillar8108]

learned loads thank you!!

[@Heidi.M]

Thanks Sarah! This was so helpful!

[@miriamgillham6701]

This is very helpful Sarah. I have a flu and feeling so miserable and this video/ vlog has been so calming and inspiring. I love your painting process and mixing. It’s just so cool. Thank you so much.

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Aww sorry to hear that!! I hope you feel better soon

[@miriamgillham6701]

@@SarahBurnsStudio Getting there. All good.😊

[@marilynkadzielski9670]

Extremely helpful!! Love your thought process. Thank you!!!!

[@aremedyproject9569]

This is brilliant!! Thank you!😎👍

[@nancybailey8398]

Yes i liked this type video. Thank you!

[@colemine7008]

Thank you, this was very inspiring.

[@jonipostlewaite1651]

Lovely exercise ~ thank you!

[@dekay929]

Thanks for sharing your process, I really learn from these types of videos Sarah.

[@heathermackintosh4465]

Very much find this helpful and looking forward to learning the greens with you

[@gsdls]

Thank you very much for the great video and chat.

[@cockatielnation5425]

Super video. I always learn from you!

[@suzannemarshall7458]

Excellent advice and so fun to watch and see the beach too,

[@jennfuhs]

Loved watching this process!

[@sallylaw2221]

More than anything I really enjoy hearing about process, planning, colour choices and mixing.....so thanks Sarah. This is really interesting and insightful.

[@louiseneaves8669]

This sort of thing is extreemly helpful. Thank you so much.

[@jobertier2636]

Your video was very inspiring and so help. Thank you!

[@monalisamackey783]

Hi Sarah, This video was very helpful! I would love more of this type of video in your various settings 😊👍🏻

[@nancybailey8398]

Yes I did enjoy this video . please provide more of them😍 thank you so much

[@firdyk]

Thank you Sarah.Very enjoyable and helpful content

[@aliciamolloy5948]

Hi Sarah thank you for this Vlog, I learned so much.

[@sophiyamahmood5913]

So satisfying to watch 👍

[@NatashaNewtonArt]

Such a useful, informative video. Thanks Sarah! This is going to help so many people. I love the colour studies you did and can see why you're drawn to dunes!

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

Thank you! It’s one of those “try this” things that helps me along my journey. :)

[@mh8704]

Your videos are such high quality- your instruction is very helpful! Thank you 😻

[@kathrynwoolcock4943]

Thanks Sarah, such a beautiful setting and dune grasses and plants are great to paint, the colours are so beautiful.

[@mrs.z605]

Very very helpful, thank you!! I love seeing the direct insight and thought processes. ❤️

[@millerrhoni2236]

Thank you! I’m new to art and color theory. This was so helpful.

[@iness.p.7741]

Love yours videos!

[@ambertjeerdsma2249]

Super helpful! Loved this one. 💓

[@MariaDeesy]

Super helpful!! Thank you 🙏🏻 💖

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

Wonderful. I get so impatient! I know I need to slow down too. Thanks for that.

[@joelleledoux6351]

Yes to more colour study please! Very interesting! Thank you and 👏👏. 🎨🇫🇷👍

[@aeriaria2391]

I love this video. It's super helpful and it's nice to know other people's insight in painting different subjects.

[@InnerMagpie]

Thank you for these videos. I really love your advice with gouache! It’s helped considerably.