Painting This Botanical Study Nearly Broke My Brain

Рет қаралды 127,754

2 жыл бұрын

I show how I paint a hosta plant at the New York Botanical Garden.
Topic covered: 1. Setting up the sketch easel, 2. Preliminary drawing in pencil. 3. Watercolor and gouache rendering, 3. Big brushes and bold moves at the end.
WATERCOLOR and GOUACHE
Quinacridone Red : tinyurl.com/2p8acp2x
Burnt Sienna amzn.to/2TEoC4D
Raw umber (gouache): amzn.to/2pgvHMg
Yellow Ochre amzn.to/3eSC5AE
Titanium white: amzn.to/2XSOld4
Cadmium yellow light: amzn.to/2CuUtig
Permanent Green Pale amzn.to/2UN9nr0
Viridian amzn.to/2SD3Xfw
Cerulean blue: amzn.to/2IBRtAc
Ultramarine blue: amzn.to/2Sm4FyB
Dioxazine Violet amzn.to/2z9WdLQ
OTHER TOOLS
Blackwing pencil: tinyurl.com/2p8u9s5e
Fountain pen: amzn.to/2J7eWum
Koval PRO Sketchbook 25x17cm: tinyurl.com/2p8btscn
VIDEO TUTORIALS
"Watercolor in the Wild": gurneyjourney.gumroad.com/l/W...
"Gouache in the Wild": gurneyjourney.gumroad.com/l/g...
“How to Make a Sketch Easel”: jamesgurney.com/products/how-...
"Flower Painting”: jamesgurney.com/products/flow...
ART MATERIALS
Pentalic watercolor sketchbook: amzn.to/2L989y2
Water cup: amzn.to/2soTw2L
Rigger brush (synthetic #3) amzn.to/3AJoW4i
Richeson travel brush set: amzn.to/2xwq1Rr
BOOKS BY JAMES GURNEY:
Color and Light: jamesgurney.com/products/colo...
Imaginative Realism: jamesgurney.com/products/imag...
Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time: jamesgurney.com/products/dino...
OTHER OFFICIAL SITES
Instagram: / jamesgurneyart
Pinterest: / gurneyjourney
GurneyJourney Blog: gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/
JamesGurney Website: jamesgurney.com/
Facebook group "Sketch Easel Builders": / 403006076777641
Facebook group "Color in Practice": / 160510955315435
MUSIC
The brief piece at the beginning with the time lapse is Baila Mi Cumbia by Jimmy Fontanez -- • Baila Mi Cumbia - Jimm...
The longer piece at the end is "Magic Forest" by Kevin MacLeod -- • Magic Forest - Kevin M...
Some of the links above are affiliate links, for which I make a small commission at no cost to you.

Пікірлер: 220

@JackTheVulture Жыл бұрын

Its actually really cool and helpful to hear you both talk about struggle and confusion with doing studies. I often feel like I'm a fraud when I find doing a study difficult, and I always just assumed that more advanced artists just kind of breeze right through them and don't have to think about it much, like the answer comes right to you after doing so much. Its actually a relief to know that its a more universal feeling. You'd think after years of doing this I'd understand that that never fully goes away. I liked your point about finding small victories to keep yourself engaged. I will try to keep that in mind when I find myself wanting to quit because I'm struggling with something.

@ingolifs Жыл бұрын

Yes! Often times as I sit down to start something it dawns on me just how hard it is going to be. Why did I agree to do this? This was a mistake maybe I should just try something else. Oh crap, I have no idea how to abstract that pattern away with my level of skill, looks like I'm going to have to do every detail manually. This sort of picture James just did is one of those traps. I've done similar ones with mint leaves and Dahlias. It looks both interesting and easy. But it isn't easy. You may make a single leaf look great, but by god if you aren't able to match the technique for the next leaf. And how to fit it all together when the leaves are very non-standard shapes that your brain struggles with the 2d projections of?

@anima6035 Жыл бұрын

@@ingolifs I've found you just have to get the paint (or pencil or whatever) on the paper, it will be ok!! Have faith! Easier said than done?! Haha, good luck! X

@pendlera2959 Жыл бұрын

@@ingolifs _"Often times as I sit down to start something it dawns on me just how hard it is going to be. Why did I agree to do this? This was a mistake maybe I should just try something else."_ OMG, I have felt that way SO many times! For me, it helps to narrow down to one or two things that I really want to get right about the artwork (color, values, proportions, textures, perspective, etc.) and not worry so much about the others. There are some times when you want to try to do everything as well as possible, and in that case the work serves as a snapshot of your overall skill at that moment. However, it's not good to do that in every artwork.

@jeffhreid Жыл бұрын

@@ingolifs agree! Getting stuck in is the hardest part for me, once there is something down momentum kicks in. I think James use of a casein under painting is very helpful in that regard. Likewise in recent drawings I have been brushing on a middle tone of graphite into which I pick out masses of light and dark rather than a line sketch, breaks the ice

@vitriolicAmaranth Жыл бұрын

Sometimes studies that seem like they'll be difficult turn out to be a breeze and vice versa, honestly.

@aoyamaprivacc 2 жыл бұрын

I am relieved, i was being hard to myself when i find it's difficult to paint "simple" things. My brain tries to catch up but failed many times. They look simple but they are not. So, hearing it from an artist put my heart at ease. Thanks for reminding me.

@SS-ui7by 2 жыл бұрын

The "painting real life studies being brain breaking" thing really is so TRUE, except his came out amazing and beautiful and breath-stopping while mine looks like a cartoon plant with smudges for details. Also, YES the small victories for yourself as each little detail comes into place is so satisfying, and truly the main thing that gets me through painting exhausting pieces

@SarahBurnsStudio 2 жыл бұрын

Watching you paint the background and sculpt the edge of the leaves was incredibly satisfying 😌

@Meraxes6 Жыл бұрын

I loved how he stopped talking and let the music swell. Mesmerizing

@BrutalAxiom 2 жыл бұрын

I've noticed that your philosophical commentary about painting can be directly applied to life. I enjoy the calmness of your videos and your simple-to-life subject matter. Keep em coming!

@Meraxes6 Жыл бұрын

So many lessons you learn from painting apply to life!

@micheltrijsburg 2 жыл бұрын

Love the quote by Richard Schmid. I wish more people saw the world that way.

@danthomas6587 Жыл бұрын

He was an American treasure and his knowledge influenced many young (and not so young) artists.

@Blick_Art Жыл бұрын

"I need to find small victories to keep me going to the next steps." We paused and played that back a couple of times- true in painting, as it is in life! The Utrecht Art Supplies team loved the explanation of more nuanced brush handling- controlled pressure to split, then merge the tip of the watercolor brush. Important message also about constantly keeping detailed work in context with the whole.

@JamesGurney Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback and I love your art supplies.

@artofjesskarp Жыл бұрын

So exquisite. Your ability to bring things to live on paper on location will inspire me forever. Thank you for sharing your process. It is also so lovely that you get to create with your wife. So beautiful!

@ShaneRoseARamos Жыл бұрын

I didn’t expect to see you here, Jess! I’m a fan of ur work 💗

@jeffhreid Жыл бұрын

It’s cool to know that James is doing the next part of the 10Hun collaboration painting that Jess recently worked on. Looking forward to seeing that! Really like your work and outlook on painting Jess , cheers.

@likethebird9176 Жыл бұрын

My heart stopped at 7:40 when he was laying down the dark red above the rest of the painting. Imagine the horror of a huge drip running down through the rest of what he'd already done. And then he just causally discusses what he's doing while that blob of watery paint is still precariously gathered there, ready to strike. Nail biting stuff.

@tradingpostfarms Жыл бұрын

I have been a monochrome sketch artist for many years. And in the pandemic I found color, watercolor. I fell in love with the medium. I invested both financially and time into watercolor, and color. I played with gouche and just got my first pro colors, and it is the patience with all forms of art. The tedium, but I see now, I must change my cognitive behavior in order to push my individual pieces where I want them to go. Thansk james.

@debarjo 11 ай бұрын

Woah! Mr Gurney, it felt like a battle! One that's won! Specially the part where you talk about the mini victories and rewards, attention span and dopamine! Wow! There are so many takeaways from this! Thank you.

@jeffhreid Жыл бұрын

jeanette’s abondanza! Was great, made me smile, too much indeed! Nature certainly overwhelms if we get lost in the details.

@carlkligerman1981 Жыл бұрын

This is one of the most profound little videos I’ve ever seen. Nature is truly a wonder; painting is worship

@d.adonis4547 Жыл бұрын

Transparent over opaque is the gouache equivalent to “fat over lean” in oil painting. They never explained that to us in Art School. Thanks for making it plain.

@stephaniecarrow4898 Жыл бұрын

The white at the end really made it pop ~ the perfect finishing touch. And I'm amazed at your steady hand, going around the leaves with the big brush. A beautiful result, and so great to follow your process. As a writer first, I can totally relate to that need to shift back and forth between a detail and the whole. It seems all creative work may share that basic process.

@tashafigs 2 жыл бұрын

Your work is beautiful! I also very much loved your commentary throughout the video. I myself am not an artist but I do pride myself in being a good worker. For work I develop products, processes, and system automation to help create efficiency for the workforce. It’s interesting how even though what I do is not art, the same principles you explain in this video relate to what I need to consider in every project I am assigned. Mainly the part where you realize you’re spending a lot of time on one piece and you pause so you can backoff and look at the plant (which for me equates to the project) as a whole. I love this! Thank you for (unintentionally) giving me a fresh perspective on how to look at the work I do from a true artists point of view.

@og1kanobi40 Жыл бұрын

Fun fact: Hostas have been around since the days of the Dinosaurs. Very nice!

@jakovj.m.5322 2 жыл бұрын

With this kind of production, inventiveness, sense of filming, you have to do longer videos, this is great👍🙏

@mbhart Жыл бұрын

Agree! When will James have his own PBS series?

@Shvetsario Жыл бұрын

@@mbhart lol

@stephenroten233 Жыл бұрын

he has a bunch of dvd length videos for sale on his gumroad. I highly recommend them!

@rhemasartspace Жыл бұрын

I also have that same dilemma where my mind would first think a plant is a simple thing to paint, but as I go along, I'm overwhelmed at the smaller details...and I can just ignore them! But painting is a good training for the brain, on the other hand 😄

@jasoncook9898 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely. I imagine halfway through it could get quite stressfull if you dont get the wins. Love how this changed from watercolour to physiology.

@PaulRansonArt Жыл бұрын

Thank you James for this wonderful video. I was a botanical artist years ago and got lost so often in the tiny detail. Now I start with a 1" brush !! 😂😂

@MrPatropolis55 2 жыл бұрын

James, your videos are always so great and I really love them. There's always something slightly different in the them which really piques my interest and always when I watch your videos, it makes me run off all excited to paint! Thanks for sharing, greeting from Ireland

@ericconnor8419 Жыл бұрын

I am glad you find it hard. I am a gardener (btw I think that is Hosta 'August moon') I started painting as a way to record my work because flowers do not last for long. I started painting tree, shrubs and flowers in watercolour and I have found it very difficult it has taken me years to get decent results, I should have started with buildings. I don't just want to paint generic landscapes I want recognisable trees and plants with character, while also retaining looseness. I might be there in another 10 years.

@Ms_Fate Жыл бұрын

When you said that a plant might look like a simple green object in front of other colours but then when u look closer you see that each leaf is different and comes with its own universe, this whole thing made soo much sense. Like when u sit down and observe something you will indeed find extraordinary details that one might miss. Thanks sir for putting out ur thoughts and these videos!! ❤

@mindseye4914 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful, calming and haunting video especially given the beautiful music selection in the background and your profound commentary. I LOVE your videos and indirectly LOVE you my good Sir. Your videos take me to a better place everytime. And that is the ultimate gift you are imparting to me.

@CelestialAshii Жыл бұрын

Very cool! I've been thinking about consciousness on a molecular level all day, this was very fitting 😄 It really is amazing how simple leaves look, yet I've found them the most challenging subjects to paint 😅

@BrianBridges Жыл бұрын

That was one dramatic plant.

@twycross3 2 жыл бұрын

I REALLY enjoyed that painting!!!! Wonderful work. Too bad I couldn't have been there to see you do this live but you edited the video to the point I felt like I was there. Great job!!

@nyreeandstephenbevan5120 Жыл бұрын

"He said I'm only going to do one thing..." Ha? I love watching this dynamic duo paint, thank you both!

@jishk8980 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you James. Seeing your process always seems to improve mine.

@peterbach1126 Жыл бұрын

2 Minutes... My experience with art encapsulated.. Love the serenity

@fullsunoo 2 жыл бұрын

5:37 good point right there!!

@f.b.jeffers0n 2 жыл бұрын

I've binge watched some stuff since I found you, and just wow... I love your work!

@creativecolours2022 Жыл бұрын

Botanicals are extremely tricky to make even without using gouache that is not the most suitable medium for this kind of studies let alone with the large size of brushes that you've used. So kudos to you for making this study. Well done.

@hollyavillella554 Жыл бұрын

It was helpful to hear your struggles. Every scene seems simple until one sets about trying to paint it! All of a sudden, the scene becomes more complex than a difficult piano passage which has a clear path marked on the page. TFS your instructive, inspiring videos.

@Macalaka 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful, I can feel the light shining through!

@klefleee Жыл бұрын

Love your artworks for many years now, always so gorgeous!

@ritawilbur7343 Жыл бұрын

I find it very satisfying to watch you carve out the plant with that background color and the large brush.

@rdstudio1 Жыл бұрын

Really lovely, just watching you paint that last 3 minutes or so was pure joy. Also super excited to see your contribution to the ongoing art collaboration started by Ten Hun.

@valo9346 2 жыл бұрын

Patience can be sooo difficult but you did so well, I really look up to you! ☺️👏

@joannepeyton1654 2 жыл бұрын

Hi James: You had only just started and I was in awe! Definitely have to have a lot of patience. The details in those leaves are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

@michaelavolio Жыл бұрын

Thanks especially for the real-time bit near the end. Getting to just watch you that way is instructive and fascinating.

@I_wish_I_knew_something 2 жыл бұрын

Love your videos!!! I love Watercolor paintings!

@hughmorley365 Жыл бұрын

Just fantastic James, you're not only an amazingly talented artist but your videos inspire and excite. Thank you so much.

@ZeEggzz Жыл бұрын

i have never in my life seen such a nice outro, holy cow!! also i loved watching the techniques used for this

@HarrisonHUMAN Жыл бұрын

I enjoy laying down and catching up with your videos, Mr. Gurney. Thank you for the calming and impressive art.

@clairescribner4102 Жыл бұрын

I ended up watching this video right after a video about flow state and it was really interesting to hear you echoing everything that I had just learned about, including the dopamine hits that keep us going.

@sandradonofrio413 2 жыл бұрын

This how I love to work. Thank you for a beautiful demo. I must get back to my hydrangea portrait ...

@psterud Жыл бұрын

I do plein air painting as well (just acrylic), and did a big-leafed plant in a marsh a couple months ago, also on a gray day. And yes, it was a tremendous challenge. Towards the end I was opening up those universes, and wished I'd recognized them sooner. A nice video, and a nice painting. Thank you.

@derekmoore1387 Жыл бұрын

This was a pleasure to watch. Your explanation of the 4 leaf colors in your books was super helpful in understanding painting plant life.

@SeaBreeze2247 Жыл бұрын

It is a joy to watch you work and make magic with color and light. And your voice is so peaceful and pleasant as you describe your process. I especially appreciated your thoughts about being patient with each step, sustaining interest and keeping focused. As an amateur who gives up too easily when overwhelmed with the details, I felt emboldened as I watched and listened today. I recall those moments when I’m “in the zone” and what’s on paper or canvas suddenly takes on life-so rewarding. Thank you for sharing your great talent and skills James Gurney!

@catherinecervas3726 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the commentary as well as the points about shifting focus through the process

@jeffhreid Жыл бұрын

Great video James. There is a lot to unpack in this study. How being prepared sets the artist up for success (the casein underpainting, the excellent travel paint kit), how subordinating the small forms to the large masses conveys the overarching image more effectively (big shapes vs veins and ripples in leaves), how juxtaposition creates drama everywhere isn’t the focus (warm and cool, saturated and greyed out, soft and defined) , how important it is to take your time follow a process and not rush yourself, and finally, how to reward yourself with small successes throughout the process so as not to get bored or discouraged. Brilliant!

@tomhoward8304 2 жыл бұрын

Small victories to help you along the way, well said.

@chesterbloom Жыл бұрын

Looks like fun to have someone to paint with

@HalfWarrior Жыл бұрын

Thank you James!

@anthonykoeslag Жыл бұрын

you two are so much fun. love your videos James :)

@bluewren65 Жыл бұрын

A special portal: your eyes collect the light and your hands reflect it back onto the paper.

@catherinepoteat Жыл бұрын

That plant is goregous!!!! 😍 you did so well!!!!

@camdengilmore538 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful! Your comment about the fractal nature of a leaf reminds me of Tolkien’s story “Leaf by Niggle.”

@_inflection3209 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for showing your wife's work in this one. I'm always curious to see what she's painting and it's fun to see her vantage point and what she chose to paint! 💚

@frankbrake7689 Жыл бұрын

Your patience with the bleeding of water colors is to be admired. Looks good 👍

@GabrielFillar Жыл бұрын

Beautifully done. Finding that patience and grabbing onto it is a virtue worth pursuing. It’s just another place where you find the “work” in artwork.

@zetathix Жыл бұрын

Beautiful, this reminds me illustration class in my university years, at that time it's so hard to paint and give color exactly as the eyes can see.

@Crtnmn Жыл бұрын

The best....thanks for the books that turned my child into a dreamer and genius.

@kanukulgood Жыл бұрын

Love the editing and storytelling in this vid!! Pretty art too :)

@ImagineWavesCrashing Жыл бұрын

Your shift is in perspective from details to the subject as a while is wise advice for not just painting, but also problems in life. Thank you

@lethalchicken1able Жыл бұрын

This has inspired me to try watercolour painting. I admit that I have never ever been an artist, but I am willing to try and learn. Thank you, James!

@SadrStar 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you master for the gift of another pleasure of watching the process of your creativity! Your videos are always very interesting and informative. I have learned a lot and continue to learn from your skill and ingenuity. I would love to meet you and work alongside you when I am in Brooklyn.

@hberbac838 Жыл бұрын

Genuinely awestruck. Thank you for sharing this. I shall refer to it often.

@jaxsonlopez6109 Жыл бұрын

Woah, this one gave me chills! Great perspective on reality, I will carry this into my next painting :D

@kathypointer3938 Жыл бұрын

That is a beautiful Hosta, both the real plant and the real painted one🥰

@petermotta1623 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the very calming video, watching you work is a beautiful thing.

@edithtsacle5257 Жыл бұрын

Agreed.

@smitty1105 Жыл бұрын

I learn so much watching your videos. Thank you for sharing your gift with us

@kimmmoon. Жыл бұрын

very nice video. i constantly have to remind myself to slow down. I really enjoyed watching you create this painting,

@ShaqKoyokArt Жыл бұрын

What a great botanical study painting. 😃

@nettacanfi5475 Жыл бұрын

That was beautiful.

@teresamitchell-banks2286 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much for sharing your beautiful tutorial🇨🇦

@gobosMommy Жыл бұрын

i cannot do still lifes just because i get too focused in the details and it takes me hours and hours to do the work, so i need to work from photographs so nothing changes lol but i'm ok with that because i LOVE the detail work. i get so lost in it and then suddenly i have this great work once i pull myself back to see the full aspect. i even do that in my graphic design. my boss laughs at me because i get closer and closer to the monitor and zoom in on the literal pixels lol but then when you finally zoom out... wow.

@griseldis Жыл бұрын

Schön, wie das LIcht durch die Blätter scheint, sieht so lebendig aus.

@theatk 2 жыл бұрын

always love watching you guys paint

@sherryblack7586 2 жыл бұрын

You are the absolute best! I learn so much from you. Thanks!😀

@deborahfinney313 Жыл бұрын

Like the way you use the lighting.

@ericag2233 Жыл бұрын

Wow. Stunning.

@larrymarshall9454 Жыл бұрын

It's amazing what can happen if you slow down. Love this.

@paulinedavis3660 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful..I so agree with your comments in this tutorial 👏

@halley42 Жыл бұрын

JAMES GURNEY HAS A KZfaq?? Week Radically Improved!!

@ArgoNavis94 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing your talent. Drawing and painting plants is therapy for myself. Once you study a plant for illustration, you begin to understand the “world within worlds” that it is. The flow of the stem and leaves, the true colors, the hidden details revealed only to the artist.

@JamesGurney Жыл бұрын

Yes, you put it so well. So many secrets revealed to someone willing to be patient and observe.

@Shebacca6001 Жыл бұрын

I’m the same way with having to be told to stop wanting to rush but that’s because of my adhd and I get excited and forget the process 😂

@lovewillwinnn Жыл бұрын

You’re just amazing. 🍃 ☺️

@ginabadeaux9319 Жыл бұрын

you are so kind and talented ,as an artist myself i subscribe to beautiful creative people,thank you

@poobertop Жыл бұрын

This was a very engaging live paint episode, that music had me really locked on your strokes. Thanks James.

@JamesGurney Жыл бұрын

The musical piece at the end is "Magic Forest" by Kevin MacLeod -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/na6Ai9Jy3b7Zp4U.html More details in description.

@Sppearmintt Жыл бұрын

Stunning

@SM-Artist Жыл бұрын

Beautiful painting Thank you for sharing 👋💕

@fscg2732 Жыл бұрын

....and I thought that I was the only one that says "broke my brain" lol NICE work!

@Tat2TankT Жыл бұрын

Amazing as always bro thanks for sharing

@crystalheart9 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful work, I love watching you paint. I'm working on some parrot tulips with big frilly petals and I get lost in all the details I'm seeing in them. Thanks for a great video.

@Msannamitta Жыл бұрын

i have some very leafy things in the woods around my place and i always wondered if i should paint something like that and not leave any of the leafy things out or skip over a few. I really like the way the leaves have that directional feel to them. Im going to go try that. 👍 good video thanks

@ToriKo_ Жыл бұрын

U’ve got great handwriting

@jonlizsam Жыл бұрын

Oh the music. Oh the final white highlights gouache will now inhabit my dreams!

@JamesGurney Жыл бұрын

The brief piece at the beginning with the time lapse is Baila Mi Cumbia by Jimmy Fontanez -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nciCaMKVnduwkWQ.html The longer piece at the end is "Magic Forest" by Kevin MacLeod -- kzfaq.info/get/bejne/na6Ai9Jy3b7Zp4U.html More details in description.

@jonlizsam Жыл бұрын

@@JamesGurney thank you!