Why Use a Yellow Underpainting?

Painting in gouache over a yellow casein layer puts "fire in the belly" of a gray painting.
From my Gumroad tutorial Triads: Painting with Three Colors: gumroad.com/l/color2
CASEIN UNDERPAINTING
Richeson casein: amzn.to/2L02U6R
GOUACHE TOP LAYERS:
Yellow ochre: amzn.to/2XYzvSB
Prussian blue: amzn.to/3iCahPd
Light red: amzn.to/36JIcTM
Titanium white: amzn.to/2XSOld4
MATERIALS:
Watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Homemade easel: sellfy.com/p/LnZ8/
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
Water-soluble colored pencils set: amzn.to/2DKmT5o
WATER MEDIA PAINT SETS
• M. Graham gouache primary set: amzn.to/2Zwd6rt
• Winsor & Newton gouache primary set: amzn.to/2JiDMbo
• Holbein gouache set: amzn.to/2KW4s1j
• Royal Talens gouache set (8 colors): amzn.to/2MGftGf
• Shinhan Pass watercolor/gouache hybrid set: amzn.to/2xw7EvV
• Caran d'Ache pan gouache set: amzn.to/2PfQTxX
• Holbein Acryla Gouache (matte acrylic): amzn.to/2L0g3MT
OTHER MATERIALS
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Richeson “Grey Matters” brush set: amzn.to/2YeNO0P
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Homemade easel: sellfy.com/p/LnZ8/
Tripod: amzn.to/2xrRaFc
BLOG POSTS WITH MORE GEAR INFO:
Gouache Materials List: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/201...
Watercolor Materials: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/201...
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
VIDEO TUTORIALS:
“Watercolor in the Wild” gumroad.com/l/watercolor
"Gouache in the Wild" gumroad.com/l/gouache
“Casein Painting in the Wild” gumroad.com/l/casein
"Gouache in the Wild" (DVD): kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX004...
“How to Make a Sketch Easel” (DVD): kunaki.com/Sales.asp?PID=PX00Z...
Animal Painting vid: gumroad.com/l/paintinganimals
Casein in the Wild: gumroad.com/l/casein
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...
“LIVING SKETCHBOOK” APP
Experience one of James Gurney's sketchbooks on your smartphone or tablet.
For iOS at iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/app/livin...
For Android at Google Play: play.google.com/store/apps/de...
CAMERAS and AUDIO:
Canon M6 (time lapse, video, and stills): amzn.to/2J4RTgX
Canon PowerShot Elph (point-and-shoot): amzn.to/2Ji1Vid
Zoom H2N digital audio recorder: amzn.to/2XXAOfP
Rode Video Mic GO (microphone): amzn.to/2UQGTc9
Music by Kevin MacLeod
Thanks for ordering through my links. Any Amazon order you place through any of my links will give me a small royalty, at no extra cost to you, and that helps support my work.

[@matthias8122]

It would be cool to see two simpler identical paintings done, one with the yellow underneath and one without, to see the difference.

[@Graveyardgirl33]

Yes!

[@contactjoy4140]

Paint it yourself! You can do it!😘

[@rua6997]

tbh i think the reason he chose yellow underground is cuz od sunlight naturally being a bit yellow this technique might be a little cheat off of that cuz too much white can be boring and to spice things up inna way also to reduce the effort that you vave to put in cuz the bg or the underpaint will work that out i kinda see it as the bg in digital being a digital and traditional modes user i really learn a lot and its very fun

[@kh14]

Without the yellow, it might just look flat I think

[@MelanieJermeleWhite]

Not you asking this man to paint TWICE

[@JfDesigns]

Watching the “grey paint” on the house magically appear white is worth the whole video.

[@daylightart1374]

Ikr!😀✨

[@hrdwrd2570]

I mean when you isolate colours they never are how they can appear. Snow is generally washed blue/purple for example.

[@lindadurand247]

I clearly don't see the painting of the house as white, it still looks a dirty grey with yellow undertones.

[@hrdwrd2570]

@@lindadurand247 Well with the environment it looks white with shadows. But when you get used to seeing colors as they really are yes this is totally still grey it kinda does that to you when you start looking for the real colors of things you see depending on the lighting.

[@lindadurand247]

@@hrdwrd2570 Well, true 😊

[@humantrash1478]

Imagine looking outside and seeing someone painting a little picture of your house I'd be so happy if that happened to me But it's not gonna happen because there are no painters in this neighborhood and my house looks weird

[@elamiri858]

I guess you have to do it yourself :) and weird is a positive word when it comes to art!

[@humantrash1478]

@@elamiri858 Good idea! Thanks :)

[@saishuu.u5717]

@@humantrash1478 you did it?

[@humantrash1478]

@@saishuu.u5717 Not yet But i will

[@untitled-8538]

if it looks weird or interesting it is sure to catch an artist's eye

[@ASMRconKiki]

This is magic. I never thought a yellow underlayer could make a painting so realistic and vibrant, it pops right out of the page! Wow!

[@hansika7656]

So true...

[@sasuke082594]

It’s almost like not carrying the yellow paint… lol

[@paragozar]

When I see a white house I reach for white paint, but white is almost never white. It's because I am stuck on the idea of "white" and prevents me from seeing color.

[@CollectorDuck]

This is one of the big clues of painting. Lol. But not just white. On a dark evening in winter, a red barn might be purple or dark blue. Color is trippy man.

[@arioctober9097]

You should start "color picking" with your eyes... by which I mean you should examine things around you in real life and think about what actual colors you would actually need to paint it!

[@cyokoh]

everything has a story on how it got there. Things are made, not born. Figure out the base which is the colors and/or shades that made it into the final color. “When you see a plant, you don’t feed it’s own dirt.”

[@CollectorDuck]

@@cyokoh wat

[@cherrishashetty8381]

@@arioctober9097 why didn't I ever think of doing this, I've always looked at textures but never at colours. I guess I'll start looking for colours as well now, thanks!

[@ManOfSdeel]

All this quality free instruction feels like I'm cheating somehow.

[@rethanwilliams]

This video is actually about 7 times longer than the one on the Gumroad tutorial! The Triads video version is only a minute long. It's so awesome to see all this stuff here on youtube.

[@johnbarrows1024]

Then pay for James videos so you dont feeling like youre cheating. BTW, James Gurneys videos are definitely a good buy for the money.

[@akaffouni]

So beautiful 😍

[@KCArts-oy1bk]

Just don't skip the ads

[@bryarmaputi5856]

Yeah Probably because most of the instructors here in youtube Only gives minimal information But this man is one the Genuine instructor i watch

[@ArtToots]

As an artist, hearing "we're gonna learn 8 different ways to make grey" was one of the most beautiful statements. Absolutely wonderful.

[@ei0580]

the painting looks more realistic than the actual house-

[@tailspinart]

I can't get over how much that dark grey appearance changed once other colors were put next to it! It really did end up looking like white in shadow. Amazing!

[@tydshiin5783]

Also kinda because it dries up and lighten up a lil

[@marijkehollander7954]

Yeahh and also the lighthing in it give the idea of white

[@marijkehollander7954]

Like the white spots

[@jimreily7538]

When I was 9, I wrote a poem about Dinotopia, I had the first two books at that time and was obsessed with them. He actually wrote me back, and be said, "this is the best poem I've received, not just from a 9 year old, but from a person of any age." I was absolutely over the moon and his beautiful reply, and I kept up a correspondence, from here in Australia, with Mr Gurney over in the States, until I was a teenager. I hope I still have those letters. I didn't even think to see if he had a KZbin channel. A truly brilliant painter, artist and storyteller.

[@Graveyardgirl33]

That's great!

[@seherling207]

That's such a cute story!! Really happy for you

[@laurelcollier486]

He wrote that? We loved that book! I have it was well.

[@saturatedneowax]

I wanna hear the poem lol

[@saishuu.u5717]

So cute! Do you have te poem casually?

[@ElyseChambers]

I love that you don't fast forward the video like a speed painting but actually show us you painting in real-time. Incredible! ✨

[@lochnessi5921]

The algorithm did something right for once. Already in love with this channel.

[@Stadtpark90]

I’m flabbergasted: he explains everything and I can even watch him paint, but it still looks like magic: getting a painting that looks so natural from just three colors. I mean: he mixes them, so there is more than just three shades obviously, but to paint something mostly grayish and greenish when starting out with a rusty red, a brownish yellow and a blackish blue just by adding enough white and painting on a yellow background... - it’s all so counterintuitive! - And yet it all works. - I can hardly wrap my head around and he treats the mixing of colors as if it were hard-wired in his brain and he couldn’t even go wrong if he tried... Edit: and then he has the audacity of talking about 8 different ways of making gray! - You’d think it’s “The Onion”, but he means it!

[@Bhodisatvas]

I am the exact same way! I have seen pretty much all of James' videos and each time there is a moment where I just think "Huh? Wait when did this painting become so amazing?"

[@Stadtpark90]

@@Bhodisatvas some of the details are thinner than his nail, the whole house is the size of the palm of his hand, and he is sitting there doing it freehand and is done before the sun sets... - nowadays working with computers you could undo every step, delete single pixels, change colors afterwards, play with the position of light-sources etc. - and he doesn’t need any of that and delivers something infinitely better.

[@quicktastic]

James Gurney, the master of color.

[@navasabetimani7090]

Yessssss

[@unknowjlm]

Yeah, no contest.

[@mf--]

You could even say: James Gurney, the master of "Color and Light".

[@katbrennan438]

And more importantly value

[@joannemontemayor1806]

For sure! He really knows how to use hes colours wisley

[@naurcho]

Wow, I clicked because the way you painted this house makes it look like a still frame from a Miyazaki movie. Enchanting!

[@JamesGurney]

Love Miyazaki too. Not just the story and animation but the BGs of Kazuo Oga and others.

[@slotheatworld]

I get the same happiness I felt as a child watching Bob Ross paint, as I do watching this lovely man.

[@boblob3509]

i ate some grass in that neighborhood

[@AmandaConocido]

What? 😅

[@RobertF-]

Bob, we talked about this Bob, come on man

[@sauviel6296]

@@RobertF- dont worry robert, yourr grass is secured

[@comradepepe5463]

Was it any good, Rob? The grass in my neighborhood is far to acidic.

[@user-ov9vr1wc2j]

Nice 😃👍

[@tushardutta3163]

In these depressing times, your painting sessions work as therapy for me

[@tydshiin5783]

Honestly being able to paint is one thing, but to also record while moving the camera around like that is impressive as hell, along side trying different undertones/base colors

[@MminaMaclang]

The way that the house really started out grey, and looked starkly like a deep grey at the beginning of the painting, and then how when every other element has been laid down, it is visibly a white house in the shade. Amazing.

[@foop2954]

It just has that warmer glow, despite the cool colors used. It looks gorgeous.

[@FlavorWorld]

I often find myself painting my whole canvas yellow, just because i like the color yellow.... I didnt know i was doing something useful!!!! lol

[@amber-xh4gv]

same!!!! ahahaha

[@77777aol]

Flavor World : Yellow represents intuition + wisdom :^)

[@MicrowaveFork]

one of the best lessons i've ever learned is the yellow underpainting

[@Capricegirl_]

As an architecture enthusiast, I'd honestly pay money to get masterpieces like this.

[@bunnyfreakz]

When his color better than real life.

[@humandog3240]

If you don't wanna go for realism, you can go better than realism

[@dermond]

Welcome to art Meant to be more appealing to our eyes that realistic

[@didi7074]

You are the only artist that I know who uses Casein, if it wasn't you, I would never know it existed!

[@kidneycarecoaching3766]

Never heard of it

[@purity2706]

I just put my first set of casein paints on my Christmas wish list!!

[@mikehill5301]

He doesnt need a cat in the studio to make it fun and more interesting he has his own rambling .

[@haebee8463]

@@mikehill5301 is that an elceed reference 😏

[@arioctober9097]

I love the kinds of things you choose to paint. I'm the kind of person that likes intimate descriptions of mundane things in writing, and your paintings are like a visual version of that. You make every subject beautiful and meaningful, you paint them with so much love.

[@jonyoder2356]

Freaking amazing. I got your book “Color and Light” for my birthday a few weeks ago. Incredible.

[@katesmith5010]

When I see you paint, I'm reminded of an instructor I had in the 80's. When approached while he painted outside with "how long did that take you?" He replied with annoyance "about an hour....and a lifetime!" This video is short, your watch testifies to a painting session just over 2 hours...BUT, your work screams A Lifetime! Thank you for all of your work, and for sharing it with us!

[@jinyoungpark2341]

It is a magic. How those little amount of painting white spots shows the house whole is white?!

[@punnu5997]

I have never watched KZbin ads in my life. I skip them on my phone and have a adblocker on laptop. But for you sir. I sit there and watch both ads, let them complete. This is my way of saying thank you to you.

[@JamesGurney]

You're the best, Puneet!

[@JimRobb44]

Great video! When my daughter was four, she would randomly add to a conversation, "And the fires in Pennsylvania are still burning." I had read a National Geographic story about Centralia out loud earlier to the kids, haha. She is an adult now and still says it sometimes.

[@lililuluism]

'Kind of like having a fire in the basement, it comes through anyway...' Lol. Great work as always, James.

[@SMOENOVA]

love it! i will apply an under painting tomorrow as well

[@_M-K_]

oh it’s cool to see you here I love the stuff you and doke do

[@MoonshineSazerac]

'Making greys is an important part of a painter's vocabulary' is such an fantastic phrase.

[@dallathedark]

When I woke up this morning, I never would have thought I'd be watching JG paint while making a reference to Silent Hill source material, strange times.

[@grumpynurse7529]

Same here lol

[@ErikBongers]

The yellow, indeed, keeps it very vibrant!

[@Imjustthatgracegurll]

I started holding my breath when he went winter the lines lol 😂

[@JamesGurney]

For some reason the KZbin algorithm is giving this video more traction, so I want to welcome all the new visitors to the channel. Yes, I'm the guy who wrote and illustrated Dinotopia. And about me wearing a mask outside, I know it looks crazy even to me now. But please understand, this was early in the pandemic, and I was sitting where nurses from the hospital Covid ward came for their smoking breaks, and I just forgot I was wearing it. Anyhow, if you enjoyed this, there are a lot more videos like it on my channel.

[@rainstall2254]

the concept of painting a white house without using white is one of my favorite parts about painting. My old arts teacher taught us this as well, meaning that nailing photorealistic lights and colours has a lot to do with not just painting green grass green or a red rose red, but looking at it and involving all the tones and colors you can see in that ‘red’. It’s trial and error and really opens up your eyes to colors

[@lynn2551]

The more color theory I learn the more fascinating it is

[@scraytonify1]

Really liked your analogies to Centralia, PA and having a "fire in the basment." Thanks!

[@gabrieloliveira3622]

I don't if you're a videogames guy, but CENTRALIA is the very inspiration for the city of SILENT HILL (the first game I think)

[@Rain_theGamer]

dude holds a camera the whole time while painting too. i can't even paint a house without it looking like it's from blue clues. thank you for sharing your talent, skills and what you've learned

[@rencat7075]

I could listen to this man talk for hours

[@lavener100]

I subscribed the SECOND the spooky story music started.

[@antokween2794]

His process and his painting itself are majestic

[@brocklewis6462]

Hello James, I am an 18 year old from idaho and I just wanted to let you know that your art inspires me like no other. I cannot watch a single one of your videos without the immense urge to paint for myself even tho I do not have any. Your art is so unique and is the EXACT style that I wish to achieve one day. I love you and your videos keep up the fantastic work!

[@lisafred1362]

I totally loved it when Diane Mize sent an email out to all her subscribers saying to watch your youtube on your wife's drawings. She may not want to be in the spotlight, but she has been "outed" as a great artist too!

[@susanhansen9032]

Your analogy of the fire underground fascinated me. The contrast your story created makes me feel anxious as I await a big burst from the peaceful scene. Well done!

[@kaiedre5782]

This is absolutely gorgeous. I cant believe I've never heard of this before, all the yellow spots help the color pop out and create highlights wowow

[@fernandocruz1393]

That white coming out from grey color is just magic

[@gvantsasakaruli9900]

Yellow ochre and prussian blue.. reminded me of another great painter. This one goes to you Mr Ross! RIP

[@josephlowry4320]

The highlights and the shades are really calming and gorgeous, what an fantastic painting.

[@CoastieForTheRoad]

Dude you blew my mind away whenever you laid the colors after the grey!!! Stunning piece!!!

[@frannyfranfrancis]

As much as people want to hate on youtube, Im thankful for the opportunity to learn from masters all around the world!

[@negri1682]

I thought so too it makes it seem sunny and cheerful

[@3dtimetraveler806]

That was great! Plus the Centralia name drop - Respect! Really enjoyed watching that.

[@alystdesign]

wow I've never heard of this technique before, I want to try it.

[@ploopy2782]

You’re amazing at perspectives!!

[@andreaothilierognan]

This is so wholesome.

[@diel6755]

Somehow i never heard of this guy before. This is my first video of him that watch and i think i love it

[@abrahemsamander3967]

I’ve heard about gurney for a while, love his art. God, just a simple house and it’s absolutely beautiful! I’m learning to draw, but when I’m ready to paint, I’ll have his videos ready.

[@stopcensorship7365]

I love your representation of light

[@auntyb6313]

I think I'm the only one in the world who never knew about under paintings. Thank you, that was awesome!

[@LovelyAngel.]

Oh my, I figured out putting a yellow underlayer for myself around 3 years ago for watercolour paintings and haven't seen anybody else doing it. I'm so glad to find you and see the same concept shown with different means on such a beautiful painting!

[@vonbeckner5892]

this just happened to be in my recommendations and i'm honestly really impressed with how much useful information is shown in this. i'm trying to get back into gouache so i subscribed + i'll definitely be checking out more of your videos soon!!

[@sherrys.2259]

Pretty masterful... even the strokes!

[@_hurm_]

Clicked on video expecting some kid doing art Saw this man and subbed exclaiming “SOLD” Watched him build this house and immediately said “I hate him” out of jealousy and admiration for his talent! Great video!!!!!

[@IncorrigibleEskimoPi]

This is truly incredible. Your skill and ability to "sketch" with the paint is so amazing to watch. Wonderful piece!

[@fenro45]

Thank you for the video! This is so amazing to learn english (as its not my native language) and gouache drawing at one time. I hope I will be as good as you in drawing with gouache one day.

[@RideHanna]

Another great tutorial ! Thanks James!

[@riverosillustration]

WOW. Absolute master! love you rpaintings and your books 🌞

[@Beyondzz]

This is amazing and inspiring, I've had my paints lying around for so long i wanna put them to use, but i've never really understood how to utilize my colour knowledge, i've never used triads before and never understood where i could apply them and this is probably the best and most usable method i've stumbled upon

[@mike_qbik]

James is not just a genious painter . . but from the opening teaser ... I would say he is also a drum’n’base lover. Quite unexpected I have to admit ;-)

[@lisafred1362]

I have to try this casein. This looks SO fun!

[@346UNCLEBOB]

I live your work, James.

[@Ani-kd9do]

"you're not dull you're just not in the right environment"

[@matthewgazeryan2166]

The fact that you switch from master level instruction to random facts or snippets from history is hilarious

[@iluvpaintbrushes]

Thank you for the tutorial, James. VERY excited to try this.

[@nournametalla3679]

you're an amazing artist and human being. thank you

[@thekaibenz]

If I know him before 2020 lockdown. I wish to spend time learning paint with him

[@MarkWhippy]

I made the mistake of doing the yellowish under painting in gouache before. Forgot gouache reactivates when wet so made everything muddy.

[@cassielee1114]

Thanks for the warning!

[@MarkWhippy]

@@cassielee1114 Gotta be careful with white too. I try to add it last or only when I really need it for mixing the right colour.

[@pennycandyys]

Just gorgeous!

[@MsCLAUDIANL]

You are a fabulous painter! Thank you so much for your tips

[@desidenise3094]

I’m happy he’s wearing a mask I hope he’s taking precautions and wearing his mask correctly and often I don’t want to see him get sick

[@desktorp]

but he's outside.. makes no sense at all

[@lilsebastian1458]

So beautiful - looks like concept art for The Last of Us

[@jintie]

he’s not a pony he’s a mini horse

[@emily-ek2se]

I love the personality you put in your videos

[@district140newsletter8]

Oh my lands! You always make me smile.

[@user-bk8ll6ro2k]

Wow! I am doing a parody of Christina’s World for class and this is exactly what I needed. Can I pull this off with Gouache?

[@Breadystickle]

Yes his paintings is in gouache

[@nicole.capobs3811]

What the?? I watched the entire thing but I still can't wrap my mind on how Grey became white. But, I guess this is why "painting with layers" is a thing huh.

[@desleykakoulidisgallaway3382]

You’re extraordinary James- thank you abundantly 🙏🏻🥰

[@SesameGaetsaloe]

this is so wholesome, i love it so much

[@mehdiben4186]

Pls i have a question , what are the issential colors to pick when i want to start a gouach painting , are they different from one painting to another or we can just work with them all the time?

[@Stargate404]

Can't go wrong with the true primary colors and some neutrals: cyan, magenta, yellow, brown, white, and black

[@alwaysimprovingart2583]

If you want the least amount of essential colors that you can paint anything with, I would go with the six split primaries and white. However, it may be easier to include some earth tones like yellow ochre or a crimson or maybe some browns depending on what you are painting. (by the way the split primaries are a cold and warm version of each of the normal primaries. This would mean you would have a magenta and a scarlet, a lemon yellow and a golden yellow, and a turquoise and navy/indigo.) Let me know if you have anymore questions, i’m happy to help!

[@alwaysimprovingart2583]

I’d also like to add that if you are trying to achieve a certain mood, limiting your pallet even further might be beneficial. James Gurnee does this in this video. For example, if you wanted a warmer atmosphere, maybe limit your palette to a warmer version of each primary, or use muted tones for each primary (Like crimson, yellow ochre, and indigo). Each different combination will give a different mood to your painting, but as long as you have some sort of primary triad, you can paint effectively.

[@alwaysimprovingart2583]

*Gurney

[@mehdiben4186]

@@alwaysimprovingart2583 thanks a lot ! Cause i m new in gouach and i want to buy some tubes , anyways thanks for the answer i ll szarch more about what you said :D

[@HeavyMetalRuinedMyLife1971a]

Very interesting. By the way, are you aware that earth is demonstrably level contained and motionless AND space doesn't even exist.? True 😎

[@ritamarie1789]

I’m thankful I found your page. Beautiful artwork.

[@bseduarda]

You are so talented! Beautiful!

[@masterhide]

Wow. I'm so glad I stumbled across this. So many helpful tips. Thank you!

[@shwuff9588]

that is abseloutely amazing!

[@jonah1561]

i love that mini story in the middle of this tutorial

[@EpicBaconCheeseburger]

Thank you for this video. It made me happy for no reason