Something Weird Happens As I Finish This Painting

James Gurney paints a realistic view of an alleyway in gouache, but as he puts on the final touches, the painting takes on a bizarre dimension.
Sample from the new video tutorial "Gradients: Color, Form, Illusion." Download or stream at Gumroad: gurneyjourney....
Also available as a DVD: jamesgurney.co...
International DVD sales: Kunaki.com/MSal...
The watercolor paper is prepared with a gradient priming applied with a brayer.
MATERIALS (some with Amazon affiliate links)
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Homemade sketch easel: gurneyjourney....
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Richeson “Grey Matters” brush set: amzn.to/2YeNO0P
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
4-inch soft brayer: amzn.to/3hkNvNW
6-inch soft brayer: amzn.to/3k1Pngy
Piece of tempered glass for mixing surface: amzn.to/3nkdgBS
Speedball water-soluble block printing ink, Black: amzn.to/3yZW3Qt
Speedball water-soluble block printing ink, White: amzn.to/3le32jH
Speedball water-soluble block printing ink, Starter set with 6 colors: amzn.to/3E8sHD0
Acrylic medium (to seal the mixtures): amzn.to/3A2Mkdx
WATER MEDIA PAINTS
White acrylic paint (to seal the mixtures): amzn.to/3tCZGL1
Titanium white (gouache): amzn.to/2XSOld4
Lemon yellow: amzn.to/38lNy5R
Cadmium yellow light (gouache): amzn.to/2qIw7LQ
Yellow ochre: amzn.to/2SfXc2O
Raw umber (gouache): amzn.to/2pgvHMg
Venetian red: amzn.to/2OmRwTL
Pyrrole red (gouache): amzn.to/2KX4TZn
Quinacridone violet: amzn.to/3k02sXJ
Burnt sienna (gouache): amzn.to/2TEoC4D
Ultramarine blue (gouache): amzn.to/2X9GZ1k
Cerulean blue (gouache): amzn.to/2NtFH0E
Prussian blue (gouache): amzn.to/2JVbVwb
Hooker’s green: amzn.to/2ufLtcy
OTHER VIDEO TUTORIALS:
“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
OTHER OFFICIAL SITES
Instagram: / jamesgurneyart
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
GurneyJourney Blog: gurneyjourney.b...
JamesGurney Website: jamesgurney.com/
Facebook group "Sketch Easel Builders": www.facebook.c...
Facebook group "Color in Practice": / 160510955315435
Music by Chris Zabriskie

[@toggtlas7099]

Bravo, that editing in the end where you blend reality with that of your painting... So good!

[@heidieveliinah]

Yes that was super 😁😁👍🏼

[@rainerburmeister5758]

When the car drove off of your painting, that was great!

[@elliewithg]

So good!

[@vg2380]

Ya. That was shocking. I rewound the video several times to see if i saw what i saw. How did u make that? Excellent.

[@AveArtz]

Yes.. That was great

[@KingFishStudios]

…there’s a couple drug deals going on. He said with a relaxed voice. 😅 Ha!!

[@LauraGYoung]

I wonder if anyone's done a video about plein air/urban sketching safety? I've had a couple experiences that have made me more cautious while painting alone. Even with a friend nearby, it can be tricky to maintain environmental awareness when hyper-focused on a painting. So far, the best thing I've learned is to always try to paint with my back to something, whether it's another building or a tree. This works not only for people, but moose and bears, as well.

[@KingFishStudios]

Wholeheartedly agree. Other than wearing reflective gear or lights at night, all kinds of personal safety is an understated topic. 👍 Back in the day watching GI Joe cartoons every Saturday morning, it always ends with a P.S.A. “Knowing is only half the battle!”

[@JamesGurney]

Main thing is to be up off the street. Only close calls I've had were when I was at the edge of a road where cars could swerve over to "scare" me.

[@tiocoolj]

Drug deals arent dangerous. Theyre interested in finishing the sale and moving on. Do you think they're going to whip out an uzi and start spraying at bystanders? XD

[@phillipstroll7385]

Well quite honestly drugs are so common place the only reason to keep them illegal is to profit off crime. If they'd legalize all drugs and tax them they could pay off the deficit. People would go back to work and they wouldn't lose their kids. So that would free up welfare and social services. The US economy is dependant on drugs tensioning illegal. If they'd sinning legalize them half the crime would drop over night.

[@JamesMacGeee]

I have to admit, when you mentioned potential drug deals going on while you were painting, I had a good chuckle. Great video!

[@robertoortiz3501]

Hahaha, me too! So funny...

[@florianschmoldt8659]

good for him, he hasn't accidentally captured it :D

[@lads.7715]

good training for a fallback career as a courtroom artist

[@hildegardkhelfa5358]

Amazing as always and how did you do that trick with the car? I also love the Bob words, like a well meaning spirit from a kind soul which I loved to watch as a kid. What always fascinates me is that you turn so common places into something special.

[@jayashrimalondewatercolour9994]

kzbin.infoxGrAyyZLHv0?feature=share

[@leviathanproject2576]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5OUoHyfl8eYjJY

[@theatk]

I really liked that effect at the end! and I always appreciate how casually yet intentionally instructive you are while you paint - it's really increasing my vocabulary and understanding of painting and of art. thanks, James!

[@dianeo]

Even James Gurney makes mistakes (water soluble ink for underpainting). Somehow I find that comforting LOL. Nice to know Bob Ross is looking out for artists. Love the process and final result. Also, the magic trick at 11:02.

[@davidportch8837]

wonderful.... I love it when you do that merge of reality and painting moments like the car at the end of this one...

[@spiritualseekeramor]

You make run of the mill scenes look rich. I really enjoy your work and appreciate the tips. 😊

[@SPE3DYEMO]

How the hell did you get that car to drive off like that? That blew my mind!

[@JamesGurney]

A little Bob Ross magic, I guess.

[@SPE3DYEMO]

@@JamesGurney I went full screen and saw where the painting ended but it was really well done. Thanks for the reply!

[@XAVIERCUERVO]

@@JamesGurney Bob Ross after effects 😁

[@chelseawhite7117]

😂 you’re so casual about “a few drug deals going down”. I’m super happy someone asked about painting people in public, though! I love plain air painting in public spaces but I feel SO self-conscious, and honestly I wouldn’t dare paint people in spaces like cafés and diners the way you do. I worry just about painting someone’s house, that they’re gonna think I look suspicious and either confront me or even call the cops or something. It’s a little dubious, so so far I’ve stuck largely to public buildings and parks and stuff

[@cortlincabbiness7726]

Love it! I'm so nervous to start my first painting. I have never done any kind of painting before. I suppose the best way is to face my fears and just go for it. I'm sure it's all a big learning experience

[@Amish-Kapoor]

having fun during the process is very important, because the result won't matter!

[@marionsutcliffe1119]

My 14yo stepdaughter made a speed painting game .... Every 30 seconds we switch papers and continue painting. What a great warmup game!! It was just what I needed to get over that first fear.

[@cortlincabbiness7726]

@@Amish-Kapoor Thank you

[@cortlincabbiness7726]

@@marionsutcliffe1119 Thanks for the encouraging words

[@mistymais]

hope your adventure went and is going well!

[@madillstudio]

Looking forward to viewing the video, this has many more tight spots than your usual sketches, and I'm curious how you handled the drawing aspects of this scene. As always, Thank You for sharing!

[@pigeon445]

Awh man i missed the premiere! Looking forward for the next one!

[@DClean]

lol i guess no one minds you drawing or painting them unless of course they're doing a drug deal in an alleyway in KIngston New York, :):

[@clintburgess8568]

Your experience has enabled you to be bold and not worry about walking into a trap. if their is a mistake, you understand you will just paint over it. "Mistake" isn't even the right word for oil, acrylic or gouache. "Finding tones" is probably the better word. I lean a lot by watching your videos. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. Funny thing. Your videos inspired me to take up outdoor gouache. As I was painting my first gouache painting, some hikers happened upon me, as I was sitting on a trail near a stream. I was painting a metal, orange bridge with lots of trees in the background and foreground. I was at that stage of finding the near and distant tones. Lots of broad brush strokes of darks, and a few mid tones. One of the passing hikers asked if was just learning to paint. At first I was insulted, but I realized that what was painted on my paper thus far looked not very good. To me, I was thrilled I was having such an easy conversion from oils and acrylic to gouache. I loved gouache immediately! It's too bad this medium endured a death for about 15 years or more. Now it seems to be back up and humming, mostly thanks to you and your channel! When I go buy gouache supplies at the local art store, the college art students who work there seem full of knowledge about the medium and know all about your youtube channel. I love painting plein aire and I think this will be my favorite medium for doing outdoor painting! Thanks, James for showing me the way. I'd also thank your wife Jeanette. My main medium for years was brush and ink and pen and ink. I started painting with acrylic paints into my ink sketches. I still focus on pen and ink to keep up my drawing skills. Learning to paint for me was difficult, event though I had been drawing for 20 or so years. Anyway, thank you both for these great videos.

[@lukafilm]

Next time: James Gurney - Painting a drug deal in gouache 😊😂

[@estherwit1124]

Missed it , a different time zone in the Netherlands off course !! 🤦🏼‍♀️…But de notification did not work . Unfortunately ☺️

[@estherwit1124]

But I love you’re work very beautiful!! I tink it’s a little bit courageous to stand outside and paint. I try too make painting (portrets ) at (in) (on) my attic 😄

[@brynhumphreys893]

Love the Bob Ross nod....the man was a legend! Watched the netflix documentary and felt so sorry for the way things turned out for Bob and his son.

[@electrojones]

That was me making the drug deals. Thanks for not making a fuss about it.

[@layla72]

Dig the style, technique, and the outcome. Stay up man.

[@ANGELO-lj1ez]

Underpainting sounds dirty for some reason

[@anartist8681]

These videos are my lifeblood

[@pumpkin6429]

This guy was friends with Thomas Kincaid. Hipsters like to hate that guy. But I liked some of his paintings. lol

[@pratimasinha3034]

oo this will premieres in 11 september dont wait here

[@prettyeve55]

I'm here patiently waiting hahahaha

[@tylerburgess7664]

I love James' style. Always so awesome

[@DCweldingAndArt]

"Oh, what the heck! Let's get crazy 🤪".....lol your outros are out of the park home runs, James! They give me such a childhood feeling

[@tylerburgess7664]

Bob Ross giving advice!

[@sallyfinch540]

“Ah, what should I do now Bob?”

[@OctopusOwl]

So nice knowing that even the greats reach out to the patron saint of painting once in a while.

[@jakovj.m.5139]

Please make one exception and make a similar landscape with oil paints, it would be of great help to many. Thank you.

[@omnesilere]

gouache is surprisingly similar to oils

[@jakovj.m.5139]

@@omnesileremy friend there are reasons why I ask him to, I would like to see his way of solving certain things in painting, preciseli because these are two (surprisingly) completely different techniques, I have been painting for many years, is his way of painting with oil using the texture paste applicable here, as he did in some of his earlier works... Greetings!

[@shamardaniel4819]

The car driving away in your painting was a absolutely amazing effect! On already amazing painting! 👌🏽👍🏽

[@rebelliocross519]

hahahaha, this one is one of the best edited!

[@346UNCLEBOB]

Did I just see a car drive away in your painting! Cool. LOL!

[@ShahArt09]

Wow 😍 This is fantastic 👌🥰 So cool 💫 Thank you for sharing dear 💕🌸

[@cuboidgamez7577]

Can't wait

[@APV878]

Nice use of Bob Ross.... Have you done a (video) talking about your thoughts on Ross and his impact on painting, art, and pop culture?

[@sunnycharacter]

I would love to see that too, but seems the thieves using our dear Bob Ross name would sue anyone up one side and down the other by just having the nerve to do any documentary of Ross. It is a crime what that family did to him and his son, Steve.

[@MARCONI_ART]

👍😃🇧🇷

[@lefthandstory1280]

Great sharing friend😃beautiful👍😃❤️

[@ernestocarmona3966]

I was not able had a hard time ordering your DVD 📀 I gave up.Ernie

[@JamesGurney]

Try this link: Kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX00Z1Z2Y6

[@FreeSpokenOne]

I loved that ending! Thanks for sharing this session. It helps to watch another artist and how they go about working outside. I also wondered if you ever felt concerned about your personal safety while working in some areas (like this ally).

[@JamesGurney]

It wasn't too dangerous (in the daytime) and there was an outdoor restaurant behind me. I was more worried about the cars speeding by because I had to stand near the edge of the road.

[@TheColourBucket]

Love your Video Sir ❤️

[@john27609]

It’s crazy to stand there and not feel danger. The drug dealers could have thought you were undercover…especially with a high Rez camera pointed at them.

[@Thestripper1]

1:37 There is something called "Aqua fix" by Schmincke. It's a medium which, if mixed in with your watercolor or guache, will make your water soluble paint dry to a waterproof paint perhaps a good alternative to using Casein or such.

[@Quokka838]

I'm totally impressed with the way you paint. Terrific!I'm always focused on lines and edges......I need to work a lot to change my "forma mentis". You're a great help to me. Thank you!

[@rajbhogal6304]

A very sketchy area lol

[@paxonearth]

Incredible work, especially for a mere two hours. The digital effect at the end is a nice touch too.

[@sandjune2753]

Loved the car in the picture drove off from your painting , so clever. Thank you James for inspiring us all. Watching from the UK.

[@TheDancegirls4]

In one month? Why ?

[@nolan7800]

My guess is he’ll have another video or two out before this premieres.

[@cynthiastinson7059]

A few drug deals… I would have run, but I’m a small older woman who would probably be alone. But gee, what an impediment to finishing a piece of work.

[@e_8074]

Your gentle and wise demeanor is a blessing in and of itself to viewers. Thank you, James!

[@mikeb2575]

*Excellent ending and much loved creativity = one life time sub 😊😊😊*

[@brentwood7660]

I picked up some Mussini translucent oils. Anybody know where these lie on the spectrum of transparency vs. Acrylics or watercolors?

[@angel00paige]

I cant tell you how much I appreciate that you use gouache. I just started using this medium and having these moments where I get to watch your videos and learn is amazing. Thank you

[@flamingorock]

Have you ever gotten the suggested video thumbnails and the"website"and"subscribe" buttons to match exactly where they will land on the video? This time it was pretty close.

[@gracierose3076]

I was going to start painting but changed my mind. That is the hardest painting I have ever seen. No Thanks! ... I will buy cheap prints.

[@michaelboelke6076]

I think your use of Bob Ross voice over is pretty demeaning. Aanndd, you probably don’t have permission to do that.

[@christineschmielrich8440]

Can’t wait !! I love gouache !

[@bruhbean22]

Oo this one looks good can't wait🙃

[@Nuns999]

There is no expectations in public they can ask you to stop but you don't have to it is not a crime at all on how somebody feels you're 1st and 4th amendment protection you. cannot trust pass somebody from the public you can't trust past the eye. Even cops and people like that do not have any expectations in public and can't stop you just because they don't want to be painted or film.

[@gingerbuchanan2795]

Oh man, that freaked me out when the car drove away!!! I love learning from you. Thanks so much.

[@metalmick]

"Yes officer, I can do better than describe the drug dealer. Now where's my paints?"

[@lanacalypso]

Hi friend james!! i wanna challenge you. since I have seen you painting on a small canvas. I would like to see your art on a big canvas !! i am your fan since day one!!

[@latinatalkgracieolave5538]

DUDE YOU ARE BAD ASS ARTIST!! LOLOLOLOLOL ON SEEING THEM GANGSTERS DRUG DEALS GO DOWN. ONE DAY I HOPE TO BE A PRO LIKE YOU. RIGHT NOW MY GOAL IS AIMED AT DRAWING REALISTICALLY!!! I JUST NOW FOUND YOU AND I GONNA SUB TO YOUR CHANNEL.

[@Tat2TankT]

Love these videos thanks for sharing

[@maxtax8223]

gotta admit... i love the art style but i fast forwarded to see if he was clickbaiting me with the title.... that was good ... i luv the end and i think i might be able to paint like that if i were so inspired ... in other words ... i lack inspiration but luv when others have it...

[@garymcguire8529]

You could have painted a dinosaur sitting on the roof of the car, to stop it driving off! This so annoying when this happens. Best to let the tyres down first!

[@incaroads001]

Hilarious. I didn't even really perceive what was going on there until the car had pulled away.

[@amberdreams_0]

Just as well that big van didn't turn up when you were only halfway through! 😂 Love the melding of video with the painting at the end.

[@MichaelHalbert1952]

Your videos are a great asset to all artist. You give us tons of good procedure info, but I especially like the thought and humor you put into editing. I actually laughed out loud when that Bob guy gave you some advice, and the live action of the car pulling away was a nice touch.

[@adrianfbird]

Another great demo you have such iconic spaces to paint in but the Bob Ross serial killer vocal is spooky

[@superfly2449]

You hear Bob Ross talking to you? Weird, but comforting.

[@vladghelu516]

Good one!

[@petermurphy9968]

"Since we've been here we've seen....a few takeaways... drug deals..." LOL.

[@shiblyahmed3720]

I wonder why you would go with the brick color for the garage door! and not the color actually is.

[@birgitblume4980]

Gorgeous, the effect when the car drove off of your painting. 👍👍

[@stanlee2200]

im thinking the weird thing that happened after that painting was that thumbnail....yeesh

[@earthingearthling2976]

Sure hope u don't get sued by BRI (they look for any reason to grab a penny)

[@anAeijingBuffoon]

I liked when the car decided to leave as soon as Bob Ross started commenting.

[@tameyourmonkeymind3382]

Loveee your videos so much they have inpired me to start my own chanell so thank you

[@juliecostello42]

Can't wait to see more of Ireland though I love me My Kingston NY

[@bobveltman]

hi james, why do you use 3 different reds on your palette? 🤔

[@simonkeyes6841]

Wow. Ending with real and painting is truly mixed media,

[@garymcguire8529]

You should have painted a flat tyre on that car, to stop it driving off!

[@ritawilbur7343]

I'm curious - lately I've noticed that you seem to use a variety of different paints for the underpainting, including that infamous one where I think you used latex house paint? Are you deliberately experimenting with different media to see how they perform? Or are you tired of using all your casein and gouache for underpainting?

[@Yorky222]

Brilliant!

[@davidcoomber4050]

Where I live there are far more drug dealers than people painting them

[@Chavee496tee]

Excellent! But if you think "something weird happens as I finish the painting", you need a straight-jacket! Btw, have you tried painting with one?

[@KyleJosephBuckley]

I thought i was tripping at the end of this video lol

[@stefanjeppsson5431]

I did it 5 years ago. painting in the street 2 stefan jeppsson

[@susanbranting581]

What is that black fuzzy thing in your hand at 10:19? A diffuser? What is a diffuser in reference to painting?

[@JamesGurney]

That's a microphone with a fuzzy windscreen.

[@antonioj.bungcagjr.6392]

Is it better to use a photo reference that live on the spot painting?

[@slasher0630]

Your paintings make me happy.

[@farmerfox3332]

Ok !!! That ending was awesome!!!👏👏

[@flipperdale51]

Paint the drug dealers and take it to the police.

[@SamBorgman]

WTH how did you do it so well?! Your watercolour always looks very real but I had to really make sure that moving car wasn't drawn lol

[@MrHurley61]

Very clever James. Love your work.

[@marcoserrasp]

The video effect at 11:13s was the best part. I loved it!

[@richvanatte3947]

When I paint it’s usually a process of fixing what went wrong. My end result is okay, but I’m learning. I enjoy watching your process.

[@KayInMaine]

So good as usual, James!

[@anetajohnson8446]

I dont know of any of the other great artists, who could make there painting come alive! like James Gurney can! Its sort of like, Jesus raising the dead!i I dont know if i want one of his Dinasours to come alive!