Sketching an Old Firehouse (Big Revisions to the Painting Halfway Through)

James Gurney paints a firehouse in Hyde Park, NY using gouache and watercolor over casein.
ART SUPPLIES:
Ultramarine blue (watercolor): amzn.to/2Sm4FyB
Yellow ochre (watercolor): amzn.to/2XYzvSB
Burnt sienna (gouache): amzn.to/2TEoC4D
Alizarin crimson (watercolor): amzn.to/31YSOZa
Cerulean blue deep (watercolor): amzn.to/2IBRtAc
Titanium white (gouache): amzn.to/2XSOld4
Watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Travel brush set (includes large flat): amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Mack/Tidwell Mini pointed brush: amzn.to/3cRwU0f (Thanks, Steve G)
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Casein paint set: amzn.to/2L02U6R
To paint urban architecture in gouache, James Gurney starts with a perspective drawing, then lays in big tones in transparent watercolor and works toward the finer details. In this case he makes big revisions in the perspective and the sky color halfway through.
CAMERAS and AUDIO:
Canon M6 (time lapse, video, and stills): amzn.to/2J4RTgX
Zoom H2N digital audio recorder: amzn.to/2XXAOfP
Rode Video Mic GO (microphone): amzn.to/2UQGTc9
VIDEO TUTORIALS:
"Watercolor in the Wild" (Gumroad download): gum.co/Watercolor
"How to Make a Sketch Easel (Gumroad): gum.co/sketche...
"Gouache in the Wild" (Gumroad): gum.co/gouache
"Gouache in the Wild" (DVD): kunaki.com/Sale...
“How to Make a Sketch Easel” (DVD): kunaki.com/Sale...
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
BLOG POSTS WITH MORE GEAR INFO:
Gouache Materials List: gurneyjourney.b...
Watercolor Materials: gurneyjourney.b...
OTHER OFFICIAL SITES
Instagram: / jamesgurneyart
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
GurneyJourney Blog: gurneyjourney.b...
JamesGurney Website: jamesgurney.com...
Facebook group "Sketch Easel Builders": www.facebook.c...

[@carolepivarnik9316]

I love that little trick where you incorporate a "reality inset" within the painting! I swear I am fooled by it EVERY TIME!!!!

[@LannasMissingLink]

I practically jumped when he started talking in the painting, cause I was concentrating on a different part and wasnt expecting sudden movement

[@Stadtpark90]

@@LannasMissingLink he told us to focus on the chimney and the corners above that where his little brush added a little dark spot... - when I repeatedly watched that part, my attention was grasped by the real footage and moving cars... - for me the trick only worked the first time around... - but boy was I surprised.

[@ChanceJolivette]

The end when u mixed real life and the painting was amazing

[@Shebacca6001]

Chance Jolivette agreed!

[@phisquared6187]

Absolutely!

[@maiigarashi7945]

I watched it like 5 times. He’s the best!

[@catherinecervas3726]

Wow, the cars are driving through the painting!

[@cwgochris71]

Yes, really great idea!

[@KariAndresen]

You & the cars moving inside the painting. Love that. :) Fun addition to the video.

[@nadavmor3645]

he he he ... "now I am inside the picture"... you are genious!

[@tectec9125]

Wonderful work . By far the best watercolor based paintings I seen on KZbin to me .

[@chrism4948]

Well done. I have a very big grin on my face.

[@yancepalmiano4598]

This is really sick. Very creative Mr. Gurney.

[@davidportch8837]

Wow...that end shot was just amazing...

[@jaswas77]

James this is one of your best videos. Thank you so much for sharing. I am learning so much.

[@junelopez9520]

You are so incredible and yes you belong in a museum. I cant wait to purchase your book and lessons.

[@almblade_art]

YOU PULLED A MARRY POPPINS!!!!!! 😲🤯🤓

[@angelcmercado2022]

Pretty cool trick with your figure. Fun twist!

[@6663000]

Fantastic ending.

[@aj9188]

Great video...this one was especially well done cause I think you have a special place for old buildings...more more videos please

[@riccardograndi7266]

You are a great master and a great entertainer

[@IGFineArt]

Wow, this is master piece...👌🙂👍🖼👏🖌🧑🏻‍🎨❤️

[@Beretto1991]

Holy shit, that ending edit was mind-blowing.. 👌

[@VTVINO]

I LOVED the ending. So cool! Always finding neat ways to be creative.

[@TEW1157]

That just blew my mind. You’re awesome. Thank you!

[@arturoarvizusart6127]

Gret Video James!!

[@jalopy2222]

Love it. You're an inspiration James!

[@watercolorhomie146]

That's so pretty.. Thank you much. Love the touch on putting yourself in it. 5 stars n 2 thumbs up

[@rf2632_]

Beautifull!

[@adamotlewski3799]

you sir are awesome

[@pimeto]

Wow, that little trick at the end :) Great job!

[@davidmccarthy6053]

Better ending than the game of thrones

[@scannan]

That was terrifying the way you came to life!!!

[@shalpin]

Thank you! I would have thought that the casein underlayer would throw your judgment of color off, but it's such a pleasure to see how spot-on your colors are. Does the color in the underlayer make it more difficult to get those initial colors right, or does it somehow help?

[@JamesGurney]

Yes, very perceptive question. I think I was fighting the underpainting a little, like riding a bicycle into a headwind. I intended a relatively cool palette, so I was forced into opacity.

[@xiliati]

Your editing really is consistently improving,

[@impact_1152]

I want to steal your art skills 🌹🤙

[@hestonpfheffer1299]

Love this shit!

[@sclogse1]

Just missing some faded 30's advert painted on the left side..."Rooms $1.50 Night".

[@macdaryllmalto5395]

nice ending tho

[@ys164]

👍👏👏👏

[@Fernandojra]

Aside from composition, what are the differences between casein, acrylic gouache and regular gouache? Do they all reactivate with water after dry? Any opacity or sheen differences, etc?

[@JamesGurney]

All are relatively matte and opaque, especially when combined with white. I use the casein very thinly over the paper. Too thick and the gouache will bead up. Regular gouache will reactivate with water after dry. Acrylic gouache is sealed when dry (it's really acrylic), and casein is halfway in between. It can reactivate after setting up if you scrub at it, but over time it becomes more sealed.

[@raphraph1873]

what the beautiful thing did you use as a ruler?

[@JamesGurney]

That's the metal box I use as a palette mixing area.

[@ChSchlierkamp]

Hey Jim, did you use after effects to blend painting and reality? That was amazing!!

[@JamesGurney]

No, I stuck a patch of green paper on the painting and then pulled a chroma key.

[@joetringali4884]

Love to see a video on how that works!

[@sbrosier2383]

Probably one of the coolest endings to a video I've ever seen

[@bennydelarosa9064]

Everytime when I watch these videos, it makes me feel ready for drawing and painting today. James Gurney is an awesome artist.

[@MetaMessiah]

Benny De La Rosa I totally get the same feeling. As an artist I need my muses like this guy!

[@dianeo]

It's magic every time I see those rough paint strokes merge into a lovely, coherent image. Then, mind blown when the image comes alive LOL 8:18

[@URLeft4Dead13]

Me: is doing something important James: uploads a new video Me: *begins to watch immediately* Patient I'm working on: oh cool lemme watch

[@samelabalazi]

😂😂😂😂

[@elsevillaart]

I just hope you are not a pilot or a surgeon.

[@benjaminthefox]

Hey! There's a Pandemic on! Get back to work!

[@catherinecervas3726]

I resemble that remark 😁

[@song4night]

he is the best!

[@strange-universe]

Stepping into my sketchbook... either it snows a lot or these pages are empty! Great explanations as always to your process.

[@ChickenxBoneless]

I’m convinced you’re an actual wizard.

[@reisatsuki5891]

8:16 I was really confused at that moment

[@christian95389]

El final fué increible! Tuve que verlo varias veces para entender donde terminaba la obra y donde comenzaba la realidad!!!..INCREIBLE!!!

[@Yuliasmi]

Love these editing tricks! And your work is always very inspiring and enjoyable. Thank you James!

[@Me-yf9lt]

When that first car drove past in your painting, I thought I was losing it. Lol. Nice job.

[@patrickcharles7190]

Man, that's a nice rendering of ol' Bill Beardsly's design.

[@STICKYArt]

Beautiful! I painted with watercolor today! I love gouche mixed with watercolor!

[@wessidestory]

I recently tried gouache for the first time (inspired by your videos). I am curious why you started the buildings transparently when I would have expected you to go straight to opaque, which you did with the sky. Is there a rule of thumb to follow?

[@JamesGurney]

I never paint the same way twice, but there are some general principles about what I do first and what comes later: 1. Wet application to drybrush, 2. Big areas to small shapes, 3. Accents last.

[@wessidestory]

@@JamesGurney Thanks for the guidance, and thanks for giving so much back to the art community through your videos & blogs; they are all incredibly helpful resources. Best wishes from Seattle!

[@raquelareco5458]

I only ask why this video dont have much views

[@TEChArtYASH]

Awesome end of this tutorial..Just confused..you are really great artist..

[@afanaobeba7876]

That ending was EPIC!

[@Gina-bt7qk]

OH my gosh! I freaked out when you walked into your own painting! haha! That is so amazing!

[@charlie1872]

James that is so cool, my cousins live around there and know the scene well. Such a small world and placing yourself in the scene is incredibly cool too👍❤️🔥🖊📐💥

[@artifexmom3824]

That’s exquisite painting and i love it sir! Nice editorial animation clip too. ☺️❤️ God bless and keep safe always.🙏🏻

[@haylemiu9540]

u inspired me to learn how to paint so one day i can paint outdoor like you. Please keep uploading thank you how the hell did you edit the ending?? thats brilliant

[@StudioHannah]

James, do you ever do painting workshops? I’d pay for a workshop/hotel/travel just to learn directly from you what kind of magic you use to turn that blob color into such a beautiful painting.

[@briancoyne6700]

This made my day! Thank you, James Gurney!!

[@josephgomez2249]

I didn’t notice that he’d combined reality with his painting until his figure moved. *cars goes by* Me: nothing *James comes alive* Me: OMG HES IN THE PICTURE

[@sharantheboss2957]

Whaoau, quality's getting better with each video, really professional video editing. Love ur stuff J.Gurney!!

[@thuntz29]

Hi James your painting is stunning! You can almost feel the cold and smell the air... thank you for posting this! I want to try my version! Could you explain the ground process? I want to try watercolours on my sketchbooks but they seem to get shredded. Thanks!

[@alan_mf]

"so im inside the picture" 🤯🤯 my head just explote! very cool job and nice video!!

[@suree861]

HOW. IS. YOUR. CONTENT. FREE!!! I learned a lot from you already. I know how to work with my colors more now and I’ve heard alot of tips on how to make my paintings realistic. Instead of wasting money in going to school and learning these things i learned it for free right here. I can’t express how thankful i am but yeh tnx.

[@JoanKentBible]

I very much enjoyed the way you highlighted the confusion between reality and invention at the end.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I read your books few pages everyday like a Bible. I also read Dianne mize books exceptional like your teachings

[@MarkNiceyard]

Hello James, I really like your sketch videos and watch every one of them. I learn a lot by this and I'm very thankful. But I ask myself if you still work on full scale paintings like your old Dinotopia paintings. I'd love to see videos on high end works of art if you still do them. btw I was totally thrilled when you came to life in your own picture to drink a cup. Absolutely great! These videos of yours are an absolute treat of entertainment and learning.

[@donnamacbride6465]

This was my fav painting and loved the bldg history comments. You're the best!

[@allOizzOwell]

Wow Sir your paintings are treat for eyes... And now you are becoming expert in video editing as well 😄 This is regarding the last part where you saying going to drink coffee... Lots of love from India... And all ppl please take care of yourself and your loved one's from corona...

[@FabledFrame]

Great Painting, James! I'm learning a lot watching you paint. Editing yourself into the painting was such a great addition.

[@dazester]

So cool that you and your wife painting together. Just before you said that is you wife I see the mirror and reflect and tell me that person should be your wife. I'm new to the painting world since end of last October 2019. Thank you to share your video.

[@smitty1105]

How can anyone not like this demo? Those are 14 people who should stick to paint-by-numbers art. SMH

[@simiwazhere]

Well.. Ehm.. Uh.. What to say when you are faced with all this? I was expecting an art form and I found three. Fantastic!

[@anetajohnson8446]

Thats the first time i ever saw a watercolor drawing come alive! Cars went by and everything! My mind will never be the same! please tell me this dident happen! or at least tell me where i can purchace those majic paints.Or was it Majic brushes??? I want to draw beautifull women that come alive! and if they start"nagging at me, ill just draw a happy face over them!" Anetas husband!

[@merryryely]

this channel is underrated.. I swear you should have more subscribers... your style and artworks are absolutely gorgeous...

[@OneMoreJames]

I don't really have any complaints or anything particularly constructive to say. I just wanted to comment that I find all of your videos pleasant to watch and I look forward to any that show up, the longer the better. I learn insights and enjoy the entire experience. Thank you.

[@munirah9020]

Sir u are incrideble awesome. Zazakallah. May Allah help u to get happy.

[@astrorobinson3716]

lol I love your goofy little comp video tricks. James, you’re the best.

[@jamesbutler5995]

I really enjoy watching your videos even though I do not paint I find your paintings to be so realistic looking,thanks for sharing!!!!

[@kevinratay8285]

Probably my favorite artist to watch. And I just found by accident

[@johnwoodcock6468]

Great channel .ive nearly watched every video and most of them twice. You can keep coming back and watching them and they aint boring. They are great. There is a wealth of info in these. I must get your books. Especially the colour and light one. I got to save up for it. I live in london.

[@ErikBongers]

Quite the rollercoaster of changes before landing on your feet here. Not as wild as the Supermarket Entrance stunt, but still.

[@eddielatham6231]

Your painting appears better than the reality of the subject. Artistic license enjoyed!

[@LionelBaronArtiste]

wahouuuu à 8:12 magnifique ce dédoublement !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sentry9834]

Masterful editing. Seamless execution, of a very cool idea.

[@phoenixjames6126]

Your wife accompanies you most times and also sketches and paints. Would you ever consider seeing if she would be willing to do a video of her painting?

[@g.pblack507]

Hi james I was wondering how you choose the color of your layout when you use a watercolor pencil? And I was also wondering when should i use a regular graphite pencil for layout ?Hope to hear back

[@tekurohamada7068]

i havo no words, i cant describe how jealous i am, to be comfortable painting standing like this in the city, to have someone to paint with, to have so much knowlegde about painting and be able to mix colors so well and make it look so good, to enjoy the process, i am incredibly thankful you share your art with us

[@christophermahon1851]

Every great artist puts himself in his work!

[@utpal6174]

Hi i am utpal. From india assam. Can you upload something portrait picture...

[@cristinasalesluis3075]

It is a real delight to see you paint James Gurney! You are a real Master! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us!

[@dward9258]

These are amazing paintings...would like to know if any of your paintings as seen in any of your videos are for sale?

[@anneguetschow3932]

That's a great effect where you're inside the painting and suddenly you are animated.

[@lauriebreda7241]

Amazing ! It seams to be so easy under your brushes !! But, you give us motivation to try again, and aigain...

[@facom40]

Congratulations James, it's very nice !

[@shimoonart]

I really did not see that coming! Really amazing painting!

[@DorethaLynnette]

I live not too far from here. It was because to watch you paint it. You brought it to life

[@pascalmiller4798]

So trippy with you in the painting! Next level Gurney Journey!

[@jaym3064]

What a fantastic ending! Well here I am inside my own painting. Brilliant!

[@nathanhansen6384]

The end was the most hilarious thing ever XD