ABSTRACTION VS. REALISM-Thoughts While Painting the Maine Coast
Вставка
- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- James Gurney paints a seascape in gouache at Pemaquid Point in Maine while considering the relationship between abstraction and realism.
VIDEO TUTORIALS:
Gouache in the Wild: gumroad.com/l/...
Watercolor in the Wild: gumroad.com/l/...
Portraits in the Wild: gumroad.com/l/...
How to Make a Sketch Easel (DVD): amzn.to/2smDVAG
MATERIALS
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
PAINTS
Shinhan Pass watercolor/gouache set: amzn.to/2QIcQCO
Daler Rowney gouache: amzn.to/2plcjKy
M. Graham (gouache): amzn.to/2JpBAyy
White: amzn.to/2pl8BAm
CAMERA:
Canon PowerShot Elph (point-and-shoot): amzn.to/2Ji1Vid
Canon M6 (time lapse): amzn.to/2oe4Yf5
BLOG POSTS WITH MORE GEAR INFO:
Gouache Materials List: gurneyjourney.b....
Watercolor Materials: gurneyjourney.b....
BOOKS:
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: / jamesgurney. .
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
Blog: gurneyjourney.b...
Website: jamesgurney.com...
MUSIC:
Kevin MacLeod: incompetech.com/
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I couldn't help but think of chinese brush painting while watching you do your initial lay in. They also thought a lot of how abstract nature can be. I really like how you capture the transparency of water here. One question: I have always wondered why you choose to do your sketches on such a small scale. Is it for practical reasons, or just preference?
Part of the reason I work small is practical, as I'm often sketching in weird places like waiting rooms and concert audiences. Also I'm inspired by artists like William Trost Richards, Frederic Church, and Adolph Menzel, who packed a ton of information in small studies.
@@JamesGurney I do the same thing, since I'm on the go alot it's only natural that I take a small sketchbook with me
Thank you so much for your reply.
@@ColoredMud you have alot of potential to go far with realism of the body/portraits. Very nice work on anatomy. ..
@@joyg8999 Thank you ❤️
My late partner was fascinated by fractals in nature. I began a practice on my walks of seeing through his eyes to see the world the way he did.
It is such an honor for you to spend time with us in this virtual world. You are a true Renaissance man and I imagine had you been born at another time and place you would be meeting Tolkien and CS Lewis at the pub talking of the worlds of Narnia, Middle-earth and Dinotopia.
Thanks! That means a lot to me.
All painting is in it's heart abstract. But when painting from nature we're called into the deeps, into the mysteries, that are impossible to capture. All we can do is try to get in tune with them. - James Gurney
This is a special place in my heart. What a beautiful expression of the beauty to be found there.
the warm tones below the sea foam is delicious
Those words are so wonderfully true and the painting looks like a real gem proofs the right thoughts.
I LOVE this, when someone really, consciously want to stand under the reality of the life and its visual elements as an artist, as Mr James Gurney does. Real, open minded, humble observation, knowledge of the subject, the mediums and the principals of the art. This is something to considerate, highly respect and love. Thanks so much.
Thank you, Sr. Schroff! Those are very generous words from you, and I will try to live up to them.
Thank you. I feel so lucky to have real modern masters freely giving advice. What a time this is. I wish I had started painting young instead, but I'm trying now. Please keep sharing James, and your wife's work is just incredible as well.
Thank you so much for this, Jim. You have given us by far the clearest, freshest and most comprehensive explanation of abstraction I've heard in my decades' career of studying the subject and trying to communicate about it myself. I will be sharing this video in my weekly newsletter.
Wow, thank you, I'm honored you say this. I was trying something a little different on this video, and was thinking about the topic after seeing a lot of Andrew Wyeth paintings. As you know, Wyeth saw himself as an abstract painter as much as a realist, and we can definitely appreciate his paintings in those terms.
This was such a good video. Very eloquently put and well done- as always. Really enjoyed it. What a peaceful scene.
Agreed
Very beautiful thank you james, will def.have a go....
So poetic. You're talking in an solemn kind of way, like reading a poem-prose while still giving us informative insight of what you see and how you work. Excellent as always! Thank you for sharing this! 😀👍🏻
As always, love your work. It was captured beautifully in the paint and brushstrokes. Pertaining to what you were saying toward the end of the video, I think paintings don't just capture one moment, but a collection of moments in one,and that's the beauty of it. A photograph can capture one moment, but a painting can capture several.
Yes, very true. That's one of the biggest differences between painting and photos. We can compress a ton of moments into one moment. With waves crashing on shore, though, I find I have to think more like a keyframe animator and commit to one moment or it's hard to convey the sense of the wave.
I enjoy the way you freeze time. There is always a moment when I watch these videos where all I see is just splotches of paint and then the forms take place and it just clicks in my head, "wow, that's magic". :]
Great. I've always believed that the actual experience of painting from nature, as in this lovely little seascape, is the really important and lasting take away element. And, if it is a reasonably successful attempt, it will be some of the best and most treasured moments of your life as an artist!! The finished piece of work that you bring home at the end of the day is really just a tangible "document"t of that wonderful plein air painting experience. Your words and work capture that sentiment for me so eloquently!!
First I’ve seen you do a seascape. Wow. I love it and the entire narration. So peaceful. Wish it were longer actually.
agreed, that would be great; a 20-30minute session!
hey, i work at this lighthouse and i probably saw you painting this. you and all the other painters who go to the lighthouse are all fantastic
Mr. Gurney, unlike probably a lot of your subscribers, I'm not an artist. I originally subscribed to your blog several years ago because Dinotopia is one of my favorite book series, but even though you only post about Dinotopia occasionally, I still really enjoy learning little things about art and famous artists. And often I watch these short videos you make because I like when you talk to local people or describe what interested you in a setting. Here, I'm really interested in your philosophy about how all painting is abstract in some way. Too few people take the time to contemplate the world today and form their own thoughtful ideas. Thank you for making these little art videos that can appeal even to non-artists like me.
Thanks, Ace, for explaining what brought you to this video and what you got out of it. It helps me to imagine my viewers when I'm putting the videos together.
@@JamesGurney ah. ..see...your knowledge and thoughts are of interest even to non artists...let it flow...let it go....somewhere ....someone will see the light...with Gurneys. .journeys.
I so appreciate your perspective on art, life, and learning how to look at the world through artistic lenses. Thanks!
Sharing both your technics and thoughts is very generous. Your videos are deep and inspiring, thank you!
I really enjoy rewatching your videos James. This coastline looks so much like ours in Holyhead, North Wales, an easy hop across on the ferry from Dublin.
Mr. Gurney, Excelent short vedio lesson! In a little over four minuets you created a nice painting, " MAGIC!"
I realise it may have taken you longer, but the video was about for minutes. Great art lessons! thank you!
That was really lovely. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. You inspire me to find the beauty in things.
I live in Pemaqiud.. Isn't it wonderful? Glad you came to visit.
I always love the way you paintings goes, that's at the same time super Poetic and precis in the technical way. And you approach of painting in general is so simpl and poetic Yep!
Thank you for the inspiration !
This is my favorite video of yours yet! Thanks for uploading.
Really beautiful work, thank you for sharing both the painting and your thoughts.
Ooh my goodness, you are good... a seascape from the brush of my teacher and coach. Loved it as much as all your other work.
I love the contemplative nature of this. And really gorgeous greens in your painting 😍
Your videos are fantastic. Inspiring me to Pick a brush back up after almost a decade.
You are amazing....such a joy to see how you create such a beautiful painting from those beginning simple strokes....
Great video! I found the observation of the fractal nature of the water and the rocks helpful!
So cool how so much pops out the moment you put the clear brushstrokes on your color blocks, especially the white and ocker with the brush tip.
Like it
Wow, that was cool. These videos always inspire me.
its so satisfying how he goes from just blocks of colour to a beautiful painting
that's just brilliant. The initial first layer is nothing compared to the finished page.
thank you for all that you share.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in a such inspiring way.
So very well said. Thank you for this. And another beautiful painting by you. I couldn’t wait to see how you finished the forward rocks off after the blue underpainting. Gorgeous.
James, there is a certain kind of torture in watching a master do that thing you only can dream of doing, while making it look so effortless. In so many ways, when watch a Tiger Woods hit a golf ball or a Roger Federer slice a backhand or watch a Perlman pluck a violin... all while to us seeming to apply their skill without effort, we watch in wonder and disbelief and ask "how did he do that?" Your videos have inspired me and yet as I watch you slather blobs of color onto that little postage stamp drawing pad, and turn it into a living piece of paper, I ask myself the very same question.
"Nature provides a limitless well of inspiration to draw from"
Wonderful words
You must've put in your 10,000 hours cause you make some masterful work. I have a couple of your books and I must say, you're an amazing artist. Your books and videos give good advice and they help me feel like I can go from zero painting experience to becoming quite skilled one day.
I love watching you paint! Your color palette is limited, yet you represent reality.
I haven't seen abstraction, as precondition of the painting process, made so visible. Eye and mind opening!
This guy is a painting boss. :) Years ago I use to camp out in Barnes and Noble and just look at his Dinotopia' books.
i always say: If the brain is satisfied, there is no other datail necessary. it is art, and if it should look like a photo, don’t use a brush, use a camera.
Agree
Then you should check out the work of some photographers that use 64 or more photos of the same scene and then merge them together to create a viewpoint that presents a idea or a emotion. Yes it is a photo, but it is also art. So the idea that realistic paintings are uselss is a mistake of understanding what is art!
What's the name of the technique? Merging so many photos together?
@@julesmo323 Yes. People who say that line are, ironically enough, just as ignorant as the person who looks at an abstract painting and says 'my three year old could do that.'
As always, an absolute pleasure to watch 👍 Thanks for sharing James 😊
Absolutely gorgeous! If I'd known you were having fun in my backyard, I would have gone out more and tried to meet you.
Great thoughts, great painting!
I could listen to you all day!
This was a beautiful reflection.
Amazing painting and very interesting thoughts. Aesthetic and philosophy of perception are such huge parts of art making.
Very true, and if painting a landscape, and especially a seascape, on site, it is almost impossible to feel any other way! I believe that so much of your life, not only as an artist, but as a living being, snaps more clearly into focus while you are experiencing these wonderful moments!
A very poetic vid. Love your work and I'm thankful for showing us your painting process. Greetings from Mexico.
Very inspiring makes me want to go down to the lake right now and start painting. Great video
This was one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing.
beautiful James. You've got me hooked. I downloaded watercolor in the wild and built my own travel easel. just getting started in plein air.
Go for it! All in.
You are the greatest painter in your time, you have my utmost respect.
You are an amazing artist because you made such beautiful watercolor and oil paintings. I hope one day I will get to see you in person and show you my artwork.
That's pretty deep, James ; the water and _you, pontificating_
Fractal imagery abound; math for the eyes.
I love the way the water came out. You seemed to really make this the perfect example of abstract within realism.
Beautiful and inspiring as usual, thank you dear James!
Hi James. Beautiful work! I also paint in a sketchbook, though not at your level! I’m often asked why I don’t paint on a surface that can be framed and sold. But I see these studies as lessons to improve my skills... and as pure enjoyment of the time and place. However, your skills are already exceptional and your art in high demand, so can I ask you the same question?
Fabulous work, James.
Beautiful. Thank you.
such a beautiful explanation
WOW!! How do you do that!?!! Really nice -- very pleasant to watch you create this 😊
Just finished watching a danish documentary “the expedition to the end of the world”.. this video reminded me so much of the existential search in art and geology. I can highly recommend it !
And james, you should think about creating a short film with this more thoughtful atmosphere. I love it ! more more more
Great James. Thank you.
This progression from abstract to realism is so fascinating, indeed time frozen between your drawing pad and brush. I subscribed to you James, 96086th.
Thanks for subscribing, Deborah.
Would love to see your sketchbooks in person. Where- in gallery, museum, or library- might that happen?
Very few of the viewers here will know how [getting to anticipate the final colors in gouache] takes years-and then some- and *still some must be tweaked at the end!
I really admire your full range of values -=> tho seemingly almost effortless, *I KNOW how hard it is….. I spent *most of my (medical) illustration career painting in transparent watercolor and gouache and absolutely love watching your process!
Then, of course, when digital illustration arrived, I rode the front of that wave until it became the norm… now, pigments only!
what a beautiful location!
Really fantastic- thanks
Very poetically but understandably put! :)
And a beautiful visual representation to boot :D
Amazing creative ❤️
Oh, I love these so much, thank you!
This channel deserves more subscribers.
So good. Thank you!
Such a great video and it had a feeling of ASMR
ASMR fascinates me and I was thinking of that when I was doing the soundtrack and editing. I tried to focus on natural sounds and I slo-mo'ed some of the waves.
I *really* like this piece. I watched on mute because I'm not interested in the argument, and all the elements are great. Well done
James ... I was just wondering today as I watched a couple of artist having their own shows on PBS. ... YOU SURELY ARE A BETTER TEACHER THAN MOST OF THEM and stand heads above all of them in my humble opinion. ... WILL THERE BE A TIME IN THE FUTURE WHERE WE MAY ENJOY SEEING YOU ON TV?
Thank you. I have a friend who does a PBS series. It's a tough technical and financial challenge. I'm not sure if it's right for me, but I'm sure there's more I can do with video.
@@JamesGurney if you have time. ..it would be wonderful to share your knowledge to so many on dvd and or online full lessons...or maybe more tips here...knowledge is powerful ...and needed...think if Edgar Payne and the others never shared...where would many be...Carlson. ..although practical. ..who'd think of putting it all together as such....let it be known. ..let it be said..let it out...share the light...Gurneys many jurneys. ...saw the light...
Amazing painting!
I've tried drawing sea rocks, and capturing the lighting with all the angles realistically is challenging. Good vid
Deep and beautiful
I bought casein paints recently....I feel it's much dull than gouache....nowhere near oils...what is you opinion?
I just loved in this video, how you explained with a pause of camera click...yes plein air is all about capturing moments with some drama...difference between photography and painting I feel is , painting has more ,melodrama than photography. Thank you for the video. I'm "savouring" your book the" colour and light"...every sentence is so thought provoking and experential.....Thanks🙏🙏
Boy, you really got philosophical here... but I really liked it... do it more often... very relaxing.
Yes, his work was lovely,... and his words equally so!!
You’re a national treasure, James!
Amazing!
Brilliant 🎨👌
I love your philosophy... thank you
This is amazing , peaceful and motivating . Bravoooooo👏👏👏👏👏
Masterful, thank you.
Beautiful. Sheer poetry.
Fenomenal!.
Gentle soul and one hellava model artist:)
Amazing like always
Your best video video in a while..
Superb!
Beautiful
Great video ,as always :)
Fantastic
Très inspirant...merci ...vous êtes un moteur ;-)
Was wondering if you stopped at min 2:18 if you would have had a more Turner/Sargert feel than the finished Homer painting? It's almost uncomfortable to stop when that abstracted because your talent level will produce a far more realistic painting. Just a though... :)
Wouldn't matter where he stopped. ..it will still be a Gurney piece, his own signature.