Plein-Air Painting Tip: Grouping Tonal Values

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  • čas přidán 15. 12. 2019
  • For both beginners and experienced painters, a key to composition is to organize values or tones into a light group and a dark group. Using a limited palette of gouache and watercolors, James Gurney demos a plein-air painting of a house in Sebastopol, California, explaining his approach to technique and compositional design.
    WATERCOLOR AND GOUACHE SUPPLIES
    (M. Graham) Yellow ochre watercolor: amzn.to/2XYzvSB
    (M. Graham) Transparent red oxide watercolor: amzn.to/2Y6NhxD
    (M. Graham) Titanium white gouache: amzn.to/2XSOld4
    (Royal Talens) Black gouache: amzn.to/36Iwk0W
    OTHER MATERIALS
    James is using a Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
    Jeanette is using a Stillman and Birn sketchbook: amzn.to/2q1GB8U
    and an Escoda Reserva #6 Kolinsky amzn.to/34ssAzo
    Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
    Richeson “Grey Matters” brush set: amzn.to/2YeNO0P
    Connoisseur "cat's tongue" brush: amzn.to/2UaBJJj
    Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
    WATER MEDIA PAINT SETS
    • M. Graham gouache primary set: amzn.to/2Zwd6rt
    • Royal Talens gouache set (8 colors): amzn.to/2MGftGf
    • M. Graham watercolor landscape set: amzn.to/2JpBAyy
    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
    BLOG POSTS WITH MORE INFO:
    Gurney Journey blog: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/
    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
    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...
    CAMERAS and AUDIO:
    Canon PowerShot Elph (point-and-shoot): amzn.to/2Ji1Vid
    Zoom H2N digital audio recorder: amzn.to/2XXAOfP

Komentáře • 387

  • @basenkaua
    @basenkaua Před 4 lety +412

    I would never find anything interesting worth painting about a little house like this with all the stuff scattered around in disorder. But you find this place and transform it into a wonderful scene on paper, eye-catching, warm and cosy, so pleasant to look at. Incredible!
    And also that should be your great artistic skill level, but that's absolutely fantastic how any of your pictures looks so realistic, almost like a photo, and that's being painted with brushes that look so much bigger than the details you create with them! It's both overwhelming and breathtaking.

    • @lucygray6162
      @lucygray6162 Před 4 lety +2

      'Scattered around in Disorder?' Looks fine to me. The only thing disruptive is that jarring blue trash container.

    • @carolepivarnik9316
      @carolepivarnik9316 Před 4 lety +23

      @@lucygray6162 I suspect Llubov means something more like "life's random arrangement" rather than some deliberately arranged scene.

    • @lucygray6162
      @lucygray6162 Před 4 lety

      @@carolepivarnik9316 I suspect Llubov said exactly what she meant, and she was quite rude about someone else's home.

    • @aztcqn
      @aztcqn Před 4 lety +16

      In any case, being able to see beyond the objects and see shapes and values filtered through an artist eye for design is the key not the so much the subject. An experienced artist can lift the mundane into sublime with simple tools.

    • @janawatercolor
      @janawatercolor Před 4 lety +4

      Got side tracked by this nice discussion:-) Have to agree that James finds painting subjects from places where I would never ever think of painting

  • @sitron7224
    @sitron7224 Před 4 lety +253

    I've been mesmerized by this guy's paintings since before I could read, just looking at all the beautiful illustrations in Dinotopia for hours. To find out in my late teens, in the middle of an art block, that he has a youtube channel? Where he shares his wisdom for free? Just wonderful! Thanks, man

    • @AB-hr4qg
      @AB-hr4qg Před 4 lety +5

      he drew the art for dinotopia????

    • @VTun1ng
      @VTun1ng Před 4 lety +10

      @@AB-hr4qg Dinotopia is actually his book and yes, illustrations too.
      And if you are familiar with those illustrations you probably realize that painting this house for him is like eating breakfast for you.

    • @hanzflackshnack1158
      @hanzflackshnack1158 Před 4 měsíci +1

      Same! I bought Imaginative Realism twice because I gave the first copy to my nephew. Had no idea this existed... It's like finding out Batman teaches self defense classes

  • @45067daddymac
    @45067daddymac Před 4 lety +578

    Interesting how you take a mundane looking scene and turn it into such a neat looking painting.

    • @IPpainting
      @IPpainting Před 4 lety +18

      Thats the reason why light and composition makes it or breaks it

    • @1974gladiateur
      @1974gladiateur Před 4 lety +3

      David McIntosh Yes I was thinking the same. By changing the colors of the scene.

    • @satchelyork
      @satchelyork Před 4 lety +13

      Everyday stuff makes way better paintings than those with dramatic skies, etc. Often someone thinks they are great for doing a dramatic sky and it actually looks super cheesy and amateurish. Fairfield Porter was a master at everyday landscapes that look super fresh.

    • @spoondola
      @spoondola Před 4 lety +1

      Steve E. Brown this is an old comment but thanks for mentioning fairfield porter bc i googled him and he is amazing

    • @geslinam9703
      @geslinam9703 Před 3 lety +2

      It’s the light!

  • @tjduprey
    @tjduprey Před 4 lety +112

    Will we ever get to see Jeanette's art featured. She seems so lovey. Would love to hear her story and see more of her art. Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing.

    • @JamesGurney
      @JamesGurney  Před 4 měsíci +2

      Yes, thanks to popular demand, we made a video about Jeanettes art: czcams.com/video/Lc6EIUe-B8I/video.htmlsi=74hc9LC88EmL7IzF

  • @MJ-hq6zn
    @MJ-hq6zn Před 3 lety +33

    There's something so calming about his videos. His painting technique, his voice, his editing style - everything is so peaceful to watch. I often watch to get inspired but it helps me calm myself after a tiring day or experience as well.

  • @tfg_8564
    @tfg_8564 Před 4 lety +504

    my mans a living photoshop

    • @Dundere_de_Duke
      @Dundere_de_Duke Před 3 lety +5

      Well your not wrong.

    • @ServeTheBeaver
      @ServeTheBeaver Před 2 lety +7

      That’s like the person who found a 💾 and said “someone 3D printed a save button”
      It kind of works the other way, chronologically

    • @AA-pv6mi
      @AA-pv6mi Před 2 lety +5

      @@ServeTheBeaver is that a floppy disk

    • @cjj7107
      @cjj7107 Před rokem +1

      @@ServeTheBeaver that's hilarious 😂🤣😂

    • @someonesomething9103
      @someonesomething9103 Před rokem +2

      @@ServeTheBeaver Lolol exactly, I mean Photoshop is just a tool. Like a brush. The artist is still the one that paints using the software.

  • @EvermoreisTimeless
    @EvermoreisTimeless Před 4 lety +85

    You are an amazing artist and teacher this is amazing

  • @tamirerez2547
    @tamirerez2547 Před 3 lety +5

    If I had to draw a painting of this small size, I would never even dare think of a 2 cm wide brush ... Your ability to draw so many precise details with a wide brush is simply amazing and surprising.

  • @maithilym4717
    @maithilym4717 Před 3 lety +2

    I have been blessed with this channel by the gods of youtube algorithm and i feel lucky.

  • @ProximoK
    @ProximoK Před 4 lety +1

    You should be given some kind of award for giving so much of your time and thoughts to the public like this.

  • @paolovf
    @paolovf Před 4 lety +35

    I have to say, this is one of the most progressive art channels out there - really feels like your pushing things into new and exciting territory. Great video

  • @KitKatToeBeans
    @KitKatToeBeans Před 4 lety +14

    The painting looks so real, with such intricate detail, that it’s almost as if James is painting the actual house through his drawing at the end 🖌

  • @crustydog1666
    @crustydog1666 Před 4 lety +16

    The house and surrounding area has a dream like quality. It's hard to explain, but is so pleasing to look at.

  • @rynelic
    @rynelic Před 4 lety +79

    Your paintings look like actual photos with an artsy filter

  • @mariapeagler2667
    @mariapeagler2667 Před 4 lety +9

    Nice touch to include the Q&A, and love seeing Jeanette and her work. Thank you James.

  • @artconte
    @artconte Před 4 lety +9

    The drawing, the elegant way of adding textures, the story. Absolutely love your videos, James.

  • @드로잉제이
    @드로잉제이 Před 4 lety +3

    영상이 너무 재미있어서 몰입해서 봤습니다
    영어를 몰라서 알아듣진 못하지만
    그림 그리는 과정을 보는것 만으로도
    충분히 즐겁습니다
    수채화 물감과 과슈를 사용 한것같은데
    그림이 정말 좋습니다
    작은 그림인데도 섬세하게 묘사해서 감탄 했습니다
    It's a really nice picture and a good video.😄😊

    • @JamesGurney
      @JamesGurney  Před 4 lety +1

      시청 해주셔서 감사합니다. 비디오의 주요 요점은 사진을 디자인 할 때 밝고 어두운 톤을 사용하는 방법에 관한 것입니다. 어두운 색조와 밝은 색조를 간단한 모양으로 결합하면 전체적인 효과가 더 단순 해집니다.

  • @ceooftheboys9560
    @ceooftheboys9560 Před 4 lety +3

    His outro is so satisfying ngl

  • @hunyotiago1271
    @hunyotiago1271 Před 4 lety +20

    Your demonstration is so relaxing sir

  • @TheMarkEH
    @TheMarkEH Před 4 lety +4

    What a privilege it is to watch you at work and to hear your advice. Thank you for sharing your talent and experience on such a regular basis.

  • @normg2242
    @normg2242 Před 4 lety +5

    I guess when it comes to showing or omitting details, one very important rule s not to put strange or funny items in the picture which you would have to explain to the viewer of the painting. A friend of mine once saw a square-ish cloud when he was painting on location and put it in his painting. Now he has to explain it every time someone looks at the painting...lol !!! Awesome video - again, and I took lots of notes -again ... 👍

  • @dreamersilverfox
    @dreamersilverfox Před 4 lety +14

    Love the red filter tip!

  • @lucilliastreusvogel
    @lucilliastreusvogel Před 3 lety +2

    I just love your paintings. They look like how I would remember my dreams.

  • @samman9864
    @samman9864 Před 4 lety +3

    it’s so impressive that he makes such detailed pieces considering the limited amount of control water color gives the artist

  • @gendoikari6062
    @gendoikari6062 Před 4 lety +3

    For the second time, I've gone out to capture some sensible,
    and both times I come back empty handed...maybe a little creator's block.
    You are a great source of inspiration for me...!

  • @sitruchsral
    @sitruchsral Před 2 lety +2

    This video has changed my entire perspective. Thank you for producing such an amazing piece of content that is so informative. I’m truly inspired.

  • @mkilner
    @mkilner Před 4 lety

    Really enjoyed this!...that red filter Great tip!...better than a squint!...that sienna roof brush stroke was delishous, and im chuffed you mentioned the British 'wheelie Bin'...Great stuff! 🙂👏🏻🇬🇧🇺🇸

  • @GuenevereSchwien
    @GuenevereSchwien Před 4 lety +26

    I really enjoyed seeing this in more real time and great explanations. As always you make great paints and excellent tutorial videos.

  • @personthatmakesstuff4186
    @personthatmakesstuff4186 Před 4 lety +7

    Love this! I have the hardest time trying to find a subject that interests me. You just made this so interesting!

  • @deborahbushrowland6143
    @deborahbushrowland6143 Před 4 lety +1

    These videos are such a joy! I love every one of them!

  • @noogiesm
    @noogiesm Před 4 lety +4

    thank you mr. gurney for the great vid!! i love how you manage to make "mundane" scenes into lovely paintings & studies, it inspires me to look for art everywhere i go

  • @pchabanowich
    @pchabanowich Před 3 lety +2

    You’ve astonished me with this! Your work is grand. Thank you. The inspiration flows into me.

  • @galewhiteman2047
    @galewhiteman2047 Před 4 lety

    After busy work days I love catching up on your paintings. I get so caught up in watching you paint...so relaxing. Thank you!!

  • @valerieannshort7109
    @valerieannshort7109 Před 3 lety +1

    This is beautiful! James, you are just amazing!

  • @souldiver6620
    @souldiver6620 Před 3 lety

    Love your work Mr Gurney. Also enjoy your books on art making. It’s awesome to see you out painting and choosing your subjects.

  • @gulagwarlord
    @gulagwarlord Před 4 lety +5

    That Bouveret painting is one of my favorites! Nice study you painted there too.

  • @robynjorde5592
    @robynjorde5592 Před 4 lety

    Your videos keep getting better and better. Thanks so much for making them!

  • @shintapp
    @shintapp Před 3 lety

    I love how you capture scenery near you. It just adds charm to the picture

  • @desleykakoulidisgallaway3382

    Loved Janet’s lovely fresh painting too- beautiful 👏🏻work Janet- great day for it 😘

  • @virginiarinkel7544
    @virginiarinkel7544 Před 4 měsíci

    Great video! Love the massing of values and your explanations as you go along.

  • @c.m.1311
    @c.m.1311 Před 4 lety

    Such a wealth of valuable information--really love how you explain your decisions in why you chose the subject and the exploration of value. Also thank you for all the helpful links to materials. So glad Jeanette's painting made an appearance at the end too! Thank you!!!

  • @karlkanner3467
    @karlkanner3467 Před 4 lety

    Thanks, James! Love seeing your process and paintings :)

  • @jaswas77
    @jaswas77 Před 4 lety +1

    I love this format of video. Thank you for sharing your skills.

  • @Eargasm4all
    @Eargasm4all Před 2 lety

    No questions! Only appreciation!..im so glad that I'm revisiting your videos.

  • @shanilwijesinghe5201
    @shanilwijesinghe5201 Před 2 lety

    that is the best sign-off I've ever seen in a CZcams video

  • @najeebbaterdouk9253
    @najeebbaterdouk9253 Před 3 lety

    I had great joy watching this - thank you and bless you.

  • @Cruspitt
    @Cruspitt Před 4 lety +2

    One ir the best videos. The lenth of 15 minutes shows the whole process and it is mor complete. Better than the ones of a couple of minutes. Thank you anyway from Spain.

  • @mrirurfkjsdo
    @mrirurfkjsdo Před 4 lety +1

    Everything great here as usual, buddy.... but you catched in a first class manner, the plastic tarpaulin on car and trailer, and the trash can !!! really good !!!!
    Always a pleasure to see you at 'work', James !!
    THX ++

  • @kyletwebster
    @kyletwebster Před 4 lety

    Always educational ... and entertaining! Thank you, James.

  • @mayrln
    @mayrln Před 4 lety +1

    You never fail to amaze me. fantastic work and thank you for the tips.

  • @kayra1215
    @kayra1215 Před 3 lety

    he's the only painter i could watch for hours,,because its literally beautiful !

  • @Lauragld
    @Lauragld Před 2 lety

    I am constantly amazed at your ability to spot an interesting painting where most of us would keep hunting :) thanks for your wonderful lessons :)

  • @ChrisLegaspi_art
    @ChrisLegaspi_art Před 4 lety

    Beautiful painting and really valuable narration as usual. Focusing on value grouping is a powerful way to see and start a painting. Thanks for reminding us about Pyle and Brangwyn too. Absolute Legends and must study for young artists. 🙌

  • @mreinstein48
    @mreinstein48 Před 3 lety

    wowww! Beautiful!! I am in love with urbanscapes!

  • @jackasmile6517
    @jackasmile6517 Před 4 lety +1

    I found your channel at my suggestion like week ago and fell in love in your paintings!
    Also your videos are so calm and I like to watch and listen in the background while doing stuff
    I just want to thank you for your videos!
    Have a great holidays!

  • @marioalejandro7549
    @marioalejandro7549 Před 4 lety

    Thank you for not forgetting us beginners and explain the terminology that are new for us. Great, great video!!!! Bless you and the talent God have you. 🙏🏼

  • @Jack-qd3xo
    @Jack-qd3xo Před 4 lety +2

    Thanks again as always! I'm really trying to focus in on simplifying my values because I have a problem with my forms, colours and values getting muddy so this will help a lot!

  • @Gregasaurus
    @Gregasaurus Před 2 lety

    James, you are the GOAT. Love your work, inspiring and appreciate true knowledge and craftsmanship.

  • @2B87
    @2B87 Před 4 lety

    Top notch content as always Mr. Gurney. Thanks alot. I always appreciate your approach - entertaining, inspirational and educational. I hope you both have a nice holiday.

  • @michellez1799
    @michellez1799 Před 4 lety

    I love your book! I was so happy to find you on CZcams.

  • @antonioblanco3086
    @antonioblanco3086 Před 4 lety

    Nice Q&A Mr Gurney! Thanks a lot

  • @rawheadrex
    @rawheadrex Před 2 lety

    Wow , the art of looking . Im totally into painting again after watching this genius at work

  • @Bartyron
    @Bartyron Před 4 lety

    Your explanations are so clear.

  • @simiwazhere
    @simiwazhere Před 3 lety

    I am impressed! Looking at the preview I did not think of being in front of a watercolor but as the composition took shape I found myself more and more amazed. You are really talented. So far the best demonstration of the deeper meaning of painting en plein air found on the Tube. Thank you! Again, thank you.

  • @Positive_Pepper
    @Positive_Pepper Před 4 lety

    I love your work and have followed you since I was a child. It's so great that technology has made it possible to now witness you working in real time instead of just wondering how you work by pouring over your books. Thank you for posting!

  • @AmberMarz
    @AmberMarz Před 4 lety +1

    wow, loved this one. the way you describe how you planned it out is really interesting, i want to try out this value technique! also very impressed with the details being simplified into easy brush strokes.

  • @georgechilidis8446
    @georgechilidis8446 Před 2 lety

    I subscribed to your channel James because I can’t draw a straight line without my drafting tools. I admire people that inspire me ✍️

  • @jimikeigher6208
    @jimikeigher6208 Před 4 lety +1

    Thanks again for the tips. Really appreciate the value info about the illustrators, that I can really have fun with. Happy Holidays and REALLY appreciate your continual help. JiMi

  • @jess5085
    @jess5085 Před 4 lety

    The red filter to see monochromatically is awesome!!!

  • @dimazi
    @dimazi Před 3 lety

    Loved how you did this.

  • @rogergordon6099
    @rogergordon6099 Před 3 dny

    Brilliant James!😀

  • @AbdullahAlsalihi
    @AbdullahAlsalihi Před 3 lety

    thank you so much for sharing this with us.

  • @lulub5059
    @lulub5059 Před 3 lety

    Having seeing your other work as well, its mesmerisingly beautiful once again. You have the talent and amazing skills to taken even the most mundane looking backgrounds and transform them into something other-worldly like a painting from a wall of the Buckingham palace. Really beautiful 😇

  • @jerryaubill5719
    @jerryaubill5719 Před 4 lety

    Love all your information you give.
    Your style is wonderful, i learn so much.
    Thank you!

  • @rc4383
    @rc4383 Před 4 lety

    Man, you are amazing. Please keep it coming. I am learning sooo much. Thank You!!!

  • @BaboonTeeth
    @BaboonTeeth Před 2 lety

    Sebastopol! Wow I'm far from Sonoma County now but I love happening upon videos of home. Wonderful video!

  • @janawatercolor
    @janawatercolor Před 4 lety

    Amazing as always

  • @sylhayes8152
    @sylhayes8152 Před rokem

    You put up a great video here. Very natural and pleasant

  • @MDCampbell
    @MDCampbell Před 4 lety +1

    Hi James! I'm still a fairly new CZcams artist, but been a fan of your work since I discovered Dinotopia in the 90's and recall standing in the book store enamored by the detail and care that went into each painting. I still look at it in awe. Thank you for the years of inspiration and I'm thrilled to find you, now, here on YT and your wonderful videos. Really enjoyed this one and the recent "How to Start" video. Great stuff! Best regards from Boston. ~ Mark

    • @JamesGurney
      @JamesGurney  Před 4 lety

      Thanks, Mark, and I'm glad you found your way to the channel.

  • @josineisilva922
    @josineisilva922 Před 4 lety

    Very beautiful artwork!!!

  • @brandonstone931
    @brandonstone931 Před 4 lety

    Beautiful work, and thanks for all the tips you give...really appreciate it

  • @christinakozmas
    @christinakozmas Před 4 lety +1

    I love these so much, thank you James!

  • @wingtsun81
    @wingtsun81 Před 4 lety

    Yes! You got into my neck of the woods!

  • @pirroohullahshah1685
    @pirroohullahshah1685 Před 4 lety

    I have never commented on your video before, you are my favorite artist. I follow your videos

  • @isatis6
    @isatis6 Před 3 lety

    Thank you for teaching your talents!! I appreciate it and am learning alot.

  • @antoniogilart
    @antoniogilart Před 2 lety

    Another good artwork. Very inspiring for me, I'm staring in gouache world.

  • @carolepivarnik9316
    @carolepivarnik9316 Před 4 lety

    You know, if you ever decided to do painting on location workshops you could probably charge anything you wanted and they'd fill in five minutes and I'd (try to) be first in line to sign up! Every one of your short videos is a gem full of art wisdom. Thanks for being so generous with your knowledge and for helping my painting so much over the years, James!

  • @tghw3659
    @tghw3659 Před 4 lety

    I love your drawings. too much cozy🌌 It's like lying alone in a vast windswept patch, looking up at the sky, and blowing quietly as the clouds move along. I can't use Eilish well but I wanted to express that I'm in love with your art🌝 so wonderful

  • @phreakindly
    @phreakindly Před 4 lety

    Thank you so much for these free videos.

  • @1974gladiateur
    @1974gladiateur Před 4 lety

    Pretty nice mix of light and dark.

  • @manishascraftideas3129

    learning a lot...thanks to you james

  • @PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower

    Loved it, Ur a Master James 🎨😊

  • @bocolewish
    @bocolewish Před 4 lety +1

    Just starting my own gouache exploration. My favorite drawing teacher in the 70's at CCAC in Oakland was Don DeViverois from Sebastopol. "Drawing From Nature".

  • @cricketbat09
    @cricketbat09 Před 3 lety

    Fantastic lesson.

  • @_swedenotswiss267
    @_swedenotswiss267 Před 2 lety

    amazing process! thank you for sharing

  • @ShahanoorMamun
    @ShahanoorMamun Před 3 lety

    your painting looks real.... just marvellous.... keep going...

  • @busykat6278
    @busykat6278 Před 3 lety

    i love your channel, binge watching your videos and learning some things at the samme timee

  • @DhritishreeBhuyan
    @DhritishreeBhuyan Před 4 lety

    Awesome tutorial. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • @rmaloney9976
    @rmaloney9976 Před 4 lety

    A new video posts and I say yeah to myself .. they are so enjoyable and informative.

  • @sofiagasvianisf1117
    @sofiagasvianisf1117 Před 4 lety

    Amaizing, so attractive tiny landscape 😍😍😍😍