Plein-Air Painting Tip: Grouping Tonal Values

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  • Опубліковано 15 гру 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

КОМЕНТАРІ • 387

  • @basenkaua
    @basenkaua 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +2

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

    • @carolepivarnik9316
      @carolepivarnik9316 4 роки тому +23

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

    • @lucygray6162
      @lucygray6162 4 роки тому

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

    • @aztcqn
      @aztcqn 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +5

      he drew the art for dinotopia????

    • @VTun1ng
      @VTun1ng 4 роки тому +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 4 місяці тому +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 4 роки тому +578

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

    • @IPpainting
      @IPpainting 4 роки тому +18

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

    • @1974gladiateur
      @1974gladiateur 4 роки тому +3

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

    • @satchelyork
      @satchelyork 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 3 роки тому +2

      It’s the light!

  • @tjduprey
    @tjduprey 4 роки тому +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  4 місяці тому +2

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

  • @MJ-hq6zn
    @MJ-hq6zn 3 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +504

    my mans a living photoshop

    • @Dundere_de_Duke
      @Dundere_de_Duke 3 роки тому +5

      Well your not wrong.

    • @ServeTheBeaver
      @ServeTheBeaver 2 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +5

      @@ServeTheBeaver is that a floppy disk

    • @cjj7107
      @cjj7107 Рік тому +1

      @@ServeTheBeaver that's hilarious 😂🤣😂

    • @someonesomething9103
      @someonesomething9103 Рік тому +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 4 роки тому +85

    You are an amazing artist and teacher this is amazing

  • @tamirerez2547
    @tamirerez2547 3 роки тому +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 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @ProximoK
    @ProximoK 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +79

    Your paintings look like actual photos with an artsy filter

  • @mariapeagler2667
    @mariapeagler2667 4 роки тому +9

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

  • @artconte
    @artconte 4 роки тому +9

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

  • @드로잉제이
    @드로잉제이 4 роки тому +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  4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +3

    His outro is so satisfying ngl

  • @hunyotiago1271
    @hunyotiago1271 4 роки тому +20

    Your demonstration is so relaxing sir

  • @TheMarkEH
    @TheMarkEH 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +14

    Love the red filter tip!

  • @lucilliastreusvogel
    @lucilliastreusvogel 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @samman9864
    @samman9864 4 роки тому +3

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

  • @gendoikari6062
    @gendoikari6062 4 роки тому +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 2 роки тому +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 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +7

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

  • @deborahbushrowland6143
    @deborahbushrowland6143 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @noogiesm
    @noogiesm 4 роки тому +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 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @galewhiteman2047
    @galewhiteman2047 4 роки тому

    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 3 роки тому +1

    This is beautiful! James, you are just amazing!

  • @souldiver6620
    @souldiver6620 3 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому +5

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

  • @robynjorde5592
    @robynjorde5592 4 роки тому

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

  • @shintapp
    @shintapp 3 роки тому

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

  • @desleykakoulidisgallaway3382
    @desleykakoulidisgallaway3382 4 роки тому +2

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

  • @virginiarinkel7544
    @virginiarinkel7544 4 місяці тому

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

  • @c.m.1311
    @c.m.1311 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

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

  • @jaswas77
    @jaswas77 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @Eargasm4all
    @Eargasm4all 2 роки тому

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

  • @shanilwijesinghe5201
    @shanilwijesinghe5201 2 роки тому

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

  • @najeebbaterdouk9253
    @najeebbaterdouk9253 3 роки тому

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

  • @Cruspitt
    @Cruspitt 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому

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

  • @mayrln
    @mayrln 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @kayra1215
    @kayra1215 3 роки тому

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

  • @Lauragld
    @Lauragld 2 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

    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 3 роки тому

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

  • @jackasmile6517
    @jackasmile6517 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

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

  • @2B87
    @2B87 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

    I love your book! I was so happy to find you on UA-cam.

  • @antonioblanco3086
    @antonioblanco3086 4 роки тому

    Nice Q&A Mr Gurney! Thanks a lot

  • @rawheadrex
    @rawheadrex 2 роки тому

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

  • @Bartyron
    @Bartyron 4 роки тому

    Your explanations are so clear.

  • @simiwazhere
    @simiwazhere 3 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому +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 2 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому +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 4 роки тому

    The red filter to see monochromatically is awesome!!!

  • @dimazi
    @dimazi 3 роки тому

    Loved how you did this.

  • @rogergordon6099
    @rogergordon6099 4 дні тому

    Brilliant James!😀

  • @AbdullahAlsalihi
    @AbdullahAlsalihi 3 роки тому

    thank you so much for sharing this with us.

  • @lulub5059
    @lulub5059 3 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

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

  • @rc4383
    @rc4383 4 роки тому

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

  • @BaboonTeeth
    @BaboonTeeth 2 роки тому

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

  • @janawatercolor
    @janawatercolor 4 роки тому

    Amazing as always

  • @sylhayes8152
    @sylhayes8152 Рік тому

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

  • @MDCampbell
    @MDCampbell 4 роки тому +1

    Hi James! I'm still a fairly new UA-cam 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  4 роки тому

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

  • @josineisilva922
    @josineisilva922 4 роки тому

    Very beautiful artwork!!!

  • @brandonstone931
    @brandonstone931 4 роки тому

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

  • @christinakozmas
    @christinakozmas 4 роки тому +1

    I love these so much, thank you James!

  • @wingtsun81
    @wingtsun81 4 роки тому

    Yes! You got into my neck of the woods!

  • @pirroohullahshah1685
    @pirroohullahshah1685 4 роки тому

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

  • @isatis6
    @isatis6 3 роки тому

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

  • @antoniogilart
    @antoniogilart 2 роки тому

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

  • @carolepivarnik9316
    @carolepivarnik9316 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

    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 4 роки тому

    Thank you so much for these free videos.

  • @1974gladiateur
    @1974gladiateur 4 роки тому

    Pretty nice mix of light and dark.

  • @manishascraftideas3129
    @manishascraftideas3129 3 роки тому

    learning a lot...thanks to you james

  • @PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower
    @PleinAirAdventureswithTezDower 4 роки тому +1

    Loved it, Ur a Master James 🎨😊

  • @bocolewish
    @bocolewish 4 роки тому +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 3 роки тому

    Fantastic lesson.

  • @_swedenotswiss267
    @_swedenotswiss267 2 роки тому

    amazing process! thank you for sharing

  • @ShahanoorMamun
    @ShahanoorMamun 3 роки тому

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

  • @busykat6278
    @busykat6278 3 роки тому

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

  • @DhritishreeBhuyan
    @DhritishreeBhuyan 4 роки тому

    Awesome tutorial. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • @rmaloney9976
    @rmaloney9976 4 роки тому

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

  • @sofiagasvianisf1117
    @sofiagasvianisf1117 4 роки тому

    Amaizing, so attractive tiny landscape 😍😍😍😍