tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post7020275069459991544..comments2024-03-18T07:23:32.809-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: Video in the WorksJames Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-68099019931540312612012-04-21T06:21:23.320-04:002012-04-21T06:21:23.320-04:00This is great news, James! If it will be anything ...This is great news, James! If it will be anything like your Color and Light book, you'll have a winner. I think your imagination is what makes you unique, and how you use maquettes, posing models, drawing from imagination, plein air painting of architecture and nature, your knowledge of color...all these things will help to make a very interesting video. And I think your sense of humor will make it your own, also. Also, helpful tips and common mistakes artists make are good things to cover. As for production values, I wouldn't worry too much about that--just have an organized DVD menu and keep the editing tight. I disagree with many of the comments here about not having any art history--it's art we're talking about here after all, aren't we?? <br /><br />Download and DVD, both options are necessary.<br /><br />Having good close-ups with inset of palette is a must!<br /><br />Look forward to seeing the video!John Valentehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10095957406950963383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-17275540085200672012012-04-18T06:48:28.177-04:002012-04-18T06:48:28.177-04:00Emanuello, good insights. No plans to come to Ital...Emanuello, good insights. No plans to come to Italy at the moment, but it is one of my favorite places.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-78080147492605881292012-04-18T05:03:47.367-04:002012-04-18T05:03:47.367-04:00Hello, first time i comment something on your blog...Hello, first time i comment something on your blog!<br /><br />I just remembered a little passage from one of Andrew Loomis' books, telling that there ain't much to learn in how jimmy jones handles the brush, but there's a lot in how he handles light. So maybe timelapses wouldn't be as interesting as your lessons about color, light and mostly, since the medium greatly allows, maquetting and sculpting.<br /><br />I've been looking for your books in Milan for a while but didn't have much luck. I'll order one soon from Amazon. Are you planning to come to Italy in the near future?Emanuele Sangregoriohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578548215547112421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-52012105908994796152012-01-20T13:37:25.355-05:002012-01-20T13:37:25.355-05:00Can't wait for the video or series! I'm go...Can't wait for the video or series! I'm going to be realistic. A great instructional video which I know you can deliver can not be confined to an hour or half an hour time frame. Particularly with the knowledge you possess in a variety of subjects. Personally I am interested in learning more about color gamut, lighting and composition although much more is needed in order to create masterpieces such as "Dinosaur Boulevard", "The Excursion", "Sinking of the Cumberland", "Sauropolis Gate", etc., etc.. I have learned a great deal thanks to your blog and both of your books "Color and Light" and "Imaginative Realism" and it will be great if you decide to make a video or several in each of the topics listed in your poll but to me having read both books, it would be even greater if you were to create a video or series where you incorporate all you have thought us into a single work of art similar to the ones I mentioned.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00155834555329080883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-7834142120176774792012-01-19T15:45:14.400-05:002012-01-19T15:45:14.400-05:00Generally, I (personally) like the _really_ techni...Generally, I (personally) like the _really_ technical discussions... think Scott Waddell, whose videos I've gotten the most out of, so far).<br /><br />Pet peeve: ego. Grrr. But I doubt that will be a problem with you. ;)<br /><br />I don't care about features; the less, the better. I suppose that breaking the video up by chapters based on topic is handy, but that's it.<br /><br />Background music is... meh. Who cares, either way?<br /><br />Ideal running time: as long as it needs to be. No longer, and no shorter. :D I've watched very long instructional videos without problems, and still love a good, brief tutorial, too.<br /><br />What makes you watch a video multiple times? ...Deep insights that vaguely register as "interesting" the first time, but which I think back to and wonder what I was missing.<br /><br />The most I'd pay is probably $150, IF AND ONLY IF it felt like a "course"... with quite a long play time. If it's just an hour or two, $60. And for my money, I would rather have a download than a DVD... but would be willing to have either.<br /><br />...Excited about the prospect of a Gurney video. :D Glad you're doing it!Jeremy Ricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256074521855601742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-13686224139596247622012-01-18T16:39:58.794-05:002012-01-18T16:39:58.794-05:00dislike background music
i like hearing useful po...dislike background music<br /><br />i like hearing useful pointers/trivia about the little things e.g. things to remember while mixing paint, what colours work what way and also maybe some interesting/inspiration stories. it makes the video somehow more personal<br /><br />if prone to 'um' 'ahs' and moments of blankness, an option could be to talk while you video(easier to think spontaneously?), and then when editing do a voiceover. <br /><br />I prefer a download video(of nice quality), but please leave out any introduction music if possible.. it's like every time you open a book a short jingle plays - gets annoying.<br /><br />In practice you might do a "this is the wrong way" and "this is the right way" sort of approach - Seconding this from Richard<br /><br />The videos of Matthew Archambault are very well presented and I learnt a lot from them(not to mention they were very repeat-watchable), but the dvd of scott waddell which I bought, i didn't like so much. I don't know if it's his voice or audio quality but i really really didn't like it even though he had great and advanced technique. There wasn't much explanation about colours either.<br /><br />There doesn't have to be too much info at once - i think that's a danger. it's easiest/quickest to absorb when everything is put into layman terms, less fancy fluff. <br /><br />I couldn't vote somehow but I would like you also to showcase your plein air painting skills as I think they are very awesome.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08092203077378749797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-54904601376788147012012-01-18T15:49:45.450-05:002012-01-18T15:49:45.450-05:00Loved your Color & Light and Imaginative Reali...Loved your Color & Light and Imaginative Realism books - bought and read both. Thank you for opening up this forum, I have a strong opinion about this.<br /><br />I think it would benefit many artists to have a section, maybe at the end of the dvd - to point out common mistakes and pitfalls developing artists make. And I don't mean simple tips for beginners. I've heard many times that what makes a great artist is his ability to see what is wrong with his own image as well as his ability to fix it... something like that. I would love to hear of all the many "breakthroughs" you've had over the years that prevented you from continuing to make rookie mistakes. For example, like how most colors tend to become more saturated as they move toward shadow and so forth.<br /><br />After all, artists are buying your DVD to try to get better, and by offering up all of your knowledge that once wasn't so clear to you, you can put your fans on the fast track to creating beautiful work, such as yours.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264784598035532953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-26438593414704555722012-01-18T15:20:31.958-05:002012-01-18T15:20:31.958-05:00Hi,
This is very exciting, I look forward to a lo...Hi,<br /><br />This is very exciting, I look forward to a longer Gurney video. (DVD preferred, download OK)<br />I have read your books in reverse order, Color and Light, followed by Imaginative Realism, and then I found a copy of An Artists Guide to Sketching and read that as well. I have already learned a great deal from your books and blog. Thanks. <br /><br />This is already post #72, so I don't want to repeat what your other terrific readers and bloggers have already said except to reiterate how helpful it would be to hear what you are thinking during your process - and that would make this video uniquely Gurney. <br /><br />For me personally, the whole nine yards - a work from concept to completion - would be ideal. And if you could include an option of subtitles, that would be an extreme bonus. <br /><br />I am very interested to see a more in-depth demo on gamut masking and color strings. <br />One thing I would specifically find very helpful is a demo on how to create/paint a YURMBY color wheel. (Maybe that information is too basic for the majority of your readership. Perhaps that would be more appropriate as the topic of an optional short video. Or possibly your video could include an info box layover of where to find more information for unaddressed topics) In color theory class, I painted more traditional color wheels as described by Johannes Itten. While terrific exploration, my resulting wheels lack the subtle transitions that seem quite important in the gamut masking process.<br /><br />A book or video which contains a real depth content is one I refer back to repeatedly.<br /><br />Hope my 2-cents are useful.<br />Looking forward to the video!Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749951258555866256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-20688576489187569652012-01-18T14:56:33.257-05:002012-01-18T14:56:33.257-05:00So much good stuff in the comments. James, I'd...So much good stuff in the comments. James, I'd gladly pay a subscription fee or per episode for regularly updated video content via a service like iTunes (and often do). I would suggest that you eventually do all of the topics listed, and dole them out serially. You could start each show with the fluffier bits, and then move into the meaty subjects.<br /><br />You could publish on iTunes and Amazon, which would catch every mobile device out there, and then additionally release a physical product.<br /><br />With a physical product, you could easily make it a premium product (we often do "special editions" of our games) with booklets/posters/tchochkes thus giving someone more incentive to purchase.<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with!frostfyrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12218411416247566367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-55126977389445902882012-01-18T14:29:07.801-05:002012-01-18T14:29:07.801-05:00A video from you would be a wonderful thing. The f...A video from you would be a wonderful thing. The following is, off the top of my head, what I'd like it to have (or not):<br /><br />1) Please no music. It's distracting and I, personally, have a hard time differentiating sounds so the combination of music while trying to listen to instruction is near impossible for me.<br /><br />2) Subtitles.<br /><br />3) Shots of color mixing and gamut mapping strategies.<br /><br />4) One painting from thumbnail sketches to completion would be great. See the process at work.<br /><br />5)Honestly I like the idea of a "bloopers" section. I think that's hard for people to have in an instructional video but one of the aspects of a real classroom environment that I appreciate is when the instructor makes a clear error in their process, pauses, and says "whoops." Here's what I did, why its not what I want and this is how I'll correct it. I learn just as much from those moments as from when everything goes smoothly.<br /><br />6) I'd prefer download and DVD options. Frankly I'm good with the 3 hours and $100 pricetag, like David Kassan's, but I realize 3 hours can be a bit much so even 2 hours at $100 is great. If I really want the process, the camerawork, the quality sound, and everything that makes a good DVD then I should expect to pay for your time and effort in making it.Colinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15612261518081347769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-21897407192799553302012-01-18T13:50:30.854-05:002012-01-18T13:50:30.854-05:00I'd want to hear about lighting and color and ...I'd want to hear about lighting and color and how you do your light effects. I've learned a lot from your blog and book. <br /><br />With so many art ed resources available I'd like to see some of the things that aren't as commonly covered. Composition is important but everyone does it. Either add something new or treat it lightly and save time for soemthing that isn't seen as often. I like seeing how you use maquettes.<br /><br />For a video focus on doing not telling. What do the viewers need to see that is hard to just read about?<br /><br />I agree with others, I'd like to watch you paint or draw and hear what is going through your head. How you make your decisions etc.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08920421924276998928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-12532086907644402612012-01-18T13:33:46.148-05:002012-01-18T13:33:46.148-05:00Paint procedure. Underpainting, drawing, texture, ...Paint procedure. Underpainting, drawing, texture, how thick or thin the paint is, how much paint on the brush, hand movement.Brudvikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08144468066728004962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-78958671326209382982012-01-18T13:10:42.614-05:002012-01-18T13:10:42.614-05:00That's good news!
Many things has been said al...That's good news!<br />Many things has been said already I will probably repeat some, sorry.<br /><br />I will start with the thing that always annoy me in art instruction video: Classical standards or even worse: happy-flower-in-the-field background music.<br />It's ok for 2-3min videos but in a full-lengh it becomes hypnotizing.<br /><br />What I'd like to find in your dvd:<br />Your studio setup and material, to know what's the world your living in a how you use it, maybe as an intro. Your paining technique and why not, other techniques you know to give us a panel of what we can do with those good old oils/acrylics/watercolor... And I would like to hear what you think when you paint. I think it's important that you cover ALL the process from the very beginning to the very end until you get the printable file.<br /><br />Chaptering is a good way for viewers to jump to what they want to watch. You could make a main video with several chapters on the making of an entire illustration. And other videos about technical things (brushes and paint, paint effects tips, light physics, other techniques, inspiration and how to grow it, outdoor painting, etc etc).<br /><br />I would prefer a downloadable file.<br />Dvd will be great for the collector edition with 20+ hours of new content!! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17069365716039887816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-24926978427579241962012-01-18T12:45:10.384-05:002012-01-18T12:45:10.384-05:00I'd like to +1 some of the things mentioned ab...I'd like to +1 some of the things mentioned above that I forgot in my first comment.<br /><br />No music: if I want a score, I have an iPod. :-) I'm here to hear what you have to say.<br /><br />A great teaser trailer is CRUCIAL. Try-before-you-buy. 60-90 seconds is plenty, but make sure it gives a taste of the best parts. Demonstrate you're capable, articulate and conveying interesting, useful information.<br /><br />Then we can help you market! People can post links on their blogs, tweet it, put it on Facebook. <br /><br />Make sure to include your URL at the end of the trailer so people can find you, then upload it to YouTube with a clickable link in the description. Once they want it, make it easy to get.<br /><br />Exciting times!Bill Gathenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14602904977389691372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-20932507909894429552012-01-18T12:28:33.693-05:002012-01-18T12:28:33.693-05:00I had a hard time not checking all the boxes. You ...I had a hard time not checking all the boxes. You probably have enough for several videos. I have paid up to $75 for a very professionally done and informationally dense art video from Robert Liberace at one of his workshops I took. I would buy more at the $30 range.<br />Music in between segments is nice but not during the instructional segments. Definitely need a menu with chapters that can be clicked on. I have both your books and like how the chapters are organized. I don't know how that would translate to video but definitely have the parakeet antics sprinkled in here and there!R. Delighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02635194775114327666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-8861693894504224872012-01-18T11:21:25.497-05:002012-01-18T11:21:25.497-05:00When I make a painting that doesn't seem to be...When I make a painting that doesn't seem to behave the way I like, it's usually due to me rushing too fast through the preparatory stages. I tend to make a few thumbnails and quickly think "yeah, this one looks nice, it will do". I would love to watch a treatment of the whole thumbnailing process - how to recognize the one(s) that will work, how to see what will end up causing problems, how to force yourself to keep a critical view and not settle for the first, the best etc.<br /><br />Also: The whole gamut mapping thing - particularly because I haven't seen it done/described the way you do it elsewhere. I'm sure you could make a lot of good points about pretty much anything, but this is a Gurney specialty.<br /> <br />As for music, I'd probably prefer it without, mostly because it would be hard to please everybody's taste. But then again, personally, I'd probably like some irish accordeon (I somehow have the idea that it would be an obvious choice if you include music ...)<br /><br />And parakeet antics - of course!Christoffer Gertz Bechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09476765795031856104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-9799536846941039232012-01-18T09:22:17.754-05:002012-01-18T09:22:17.754-05:00Hi James! My interest personally in instructional ...Hi James! My interest personally in instructional videos would be in the process--from concept to execution. As far as something obvious to be aware of in your video, please be sure to pan to the object you are painting often enough for people to follow along. A favorite artist of mine has a video where he is painting a model and you hardly see the model the entire time, just his painting. Hard to understand then how the artist translates the 3-d subject to a 2-d painting.Lago Arthur Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17603249242409328942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-71935355541307055032012-01-18T08:51:52.809-05:002012-01-18T08:51:52.809-05:00I think it's important to make sure you have t...I think it's important to make sure you have the film crew there long enough to see the painting through to completion, and be able to go through the process necessary after the painting is done as far as photographing it, etc.<br /><br />You definitely have enough information to create multiple tutorials... Maybe you could create one for fantastic illustration, one for plein air, portrait, etc., possibly shooting them back to back to cut down on the expense.Allen Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06028187890564825131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-49798657794561834772012-01-18T08:09:58.932-05:002012-01-18T08:09:58.932-05:00Making a video would be great. If in DVD, It would...Making a video would be great. If in DVD, It would be necessary to be able to read it in France and European format. We can't read overseas DVD's on our DVD readers.Carol Scown-Raynalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12644877800215462377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-53631313051710747742012-01-18T06:00:23.158-05:002012-01-18T06:00:23.158-05:00Haven't read all the other comments so sorry i...Haven't read all the other comments so sorry if I'm repeating.<br />I would NOT want background music.<br /><br />Pet Peeves: <br />1. Intro music not married to the same volume level as narration. <br />2. Bad diction. Nothing more irritating while watching a movie than having to turn on captions because actors were mumbling. You will know what you're saying but we will have to listen.<br /><br />Price: As priceless as I'm sure this effort will be, as an artist who hasn't been selling, I don't think I could go for much more than about $50.<br /><br />Commentary: YES, and constantly, even if it's just "thinking out loud" about why you're doing what you're doing, even if you have to do voice overs after the taping. <br /><br />Visual: I know what you look like. I'm more interested in what your hands are doing. <br /><br />No art history please. <br />Focus on the painting process.<br />Perhaps a little time spent on conceptualizing a painting? (Which could be the place to discuss composition?)<br /><br />I'd prefer a DVD but it would be a great help if there were a menu for selecting lessons by topic.<br />Perhaps you could think about a series of inexpensive downloads (from a menu by subject), with some possibilities of:<br />The painting process<br />Composition<br />Building creature maquettes<br />Building architectural models<br />Lighting & Other Practical Apps<br />Making Photos to Paint From<br />Taking Photos of your Paintings<br />etc.<br /><br />Thanks for taking this on James. I'll look forward to its completion. And I'm loving "Imaginative Realism" and "Color & Light"Kirk Witmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04423367005924513750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-55621701408591793932012-01-18T05:10:34.500-05:002012-01-18T05:10:34.500-05:00My point of view is entirely biased, as I am quite...My point of view is entirely biased, as I am quite deaf. Because of this (and living in Scotland, where these type of DVD's seem rarer) I have never actually watched one of these - I am not going to take the risk of spending lots of money on something I can't use - no art DVD I have looked at purchasing states whether it is subtitled or not. So I presume not.<br /><br />Especially as the few I have seen on youtube are not. The voice recognition thing is a joke . . . <br /><br />Never mind, I'll keep reading your books!janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13588901637630537211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-2694972285949272082012-01-18T04:42:39.867-05:002012-01-18T04:42:39.867-05:00Great idea. My preferences:
Background Music: ver...Great idea. My preferences:<br /><br />Background Music: very low volume or skip altogether. <br /> <br />Length: 30-50 minutes, optimal at 40-45 minutes.<br /><br />Price: depending on payment method, but a quick click + download would be painless up to 29.95$ Any more requires a bit of thought, and may cause me to forget to return to the site and buy it.<br /><br />Media: Download preferred. <br />(I live in Europe; a physical mailing would cause a delay of several weeks, plus the involvement of the customs + payment of duties, all of which significantly reduce the enjoyment and impetus to buy.)<br /><br />Camera angles: after an initial overview shot of placement of chair, easel, etc., focus on the palette, canvas, brush and hands. <br />As someone said: we know it is you.<br /><br />Content: if possible to hear your own thoughts as you go along; on (say) ' ...little more blue here ...', '.. too dark here ..', etc., and follow how the painted work takes shape, that would be ideal. We can all go see a finished painting somewhere, what I want to learn is to think about the work. <br />(BTW: I got your 'Color and Light' book, great resource, and goes a long way. Seeing this kind of material 'live' as it takes form would help (me) a lot.Tryggvi Edwaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04772045578062519536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-90274286801209762512012-01-18T03:10:51.985-05:002012-01-18T03:10:51.985-05:00A DVD rather than download, because things take to...A DVD rather than download, because things take too long to download in not-so-super-highway land. Skip the fancy packaging.<br /><br />No to music. It's invariably irritating and intrusive.<br /><br />Move along at a good pace. Some instructional DVDs go at such a snail's pace that I've ended up watching them on fast forward.<br /><br />Show closeups so you can see what's happening. Skip the talking head shots. We know it's you.<br /><br />Price it low. Most art DVDs are so expensive I hardly ever buy them, even though I enjoy watching them.<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing whatever it is!Marion Boddy-Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16492298393921353238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-90942968850955151072012-01-18T01:44:25.925-05:002012-01-18T01:44:25.925-05:00Make it long. You may never get around to doing an...Make it long. You may never get around to doing another DVD, and It'd be nice to have a real overview of your method, rather than just an introduction. <br /><br />Also, try to keep it as real time as possible. It's so much easier to learn when you can see the artist actually mix, apply, and struggle with the paint. Everything looks brilliant in fast forward.Dan dos Santoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17070424854827757881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-64625524292041253292012-01-18T00:59:08.013-05:002012-01-18T00:59:08.013-05:00First of all this is welcome news! I know I have b...First of all this is welcome news! I know I have bugged you about making one at least once. And you couldn't make anything less than an effective art instruction DVD if you tried.<br />I have not seen a ton of them, but there are some things that bug me. Mainly a lack of conciseness and keeping to a plan. The artist/instructor will get sidelined on something of limited interest and waste a bunch of time on that. I have wondered more than once if there was a thought to editing this out at a later stage, but there it was anyway. I think expanding on concepts in your books would be great. I'm sure there are topics in your books that could be better or more fully explained with video and explanation than static images and text. I would like to see covered:<br />Plein air painting methods<br />Water-soluble colored pencil sketching<br />In studio oil painting from reference photos<br />Painting from a model<br />Managing an unruly parakeet<br />Color mixing<br />Palette thioughts<br />Rewarding a well-behaved parakeet<br />Yes, cost is a factor, as one always thinks of how many art supplies could be bought with X number of dollars. I would like a download method of delivery personally.<br />$30 feels right 1 1/2 - 2 hours<br />You have a good fan (student) base here, and I think this could sell quite well.<br /> Would love a video that shows multiple pieces being completed in multiple media, basically. To get the most bang for the buck. I don't mind music if it's mixed fairly low. It can help with the flow if you're painting for a while without speaking.<br /> Am looking forward to this James!John Fleckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15541386500334276297noreply@blogger.com