tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post5791849981925908306..comments2024-03-28T16:36:12.581-04:00Comments on Gurney Journey: Pencil and watercolor washJames Gurneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-84796743617910918372020-05-25T20:16:27.985-04:002020-05-25T20:16:27.985-04:00OK, it took me 7 years to see this, but for me, th...OK, it took me 7 years to see this, but for me, that's not so bad. I've restarted my art career after a 30 year layoff, and have been struggling with getting the drawings to work. Looking at the Impressionists, Homer, Hopper, etc got me on the right track (less is more if every line is in the right place), but I was still having trouble with the larger areas. A wash is exactly what I wanted, only I didn't know it until I saw your beautiful example here. Thank you very much for the inspiration. Now all I need is a muse. The neighbor suggested I could use her chicken, but it's just not the same :) momus1https://www.blogger.com/profile/16413172482639227614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-41830370362108595822013-08-08T10:43:37.410-04:002013-08-08T10:43:37.410-04:00Hi, Ted,
Nice sample of the method. BTW, it's ...Hi, Ted,<br />Nice sample of the method. BTW, it's ok to post a link to your site. I only remove unrelated spam (sofas, Dubai vacations and stuff like that). Glad that technique is working for you.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-3070002835969489692013-08-08T10:24:01.901-04:002013-08-08T10:24:01.901-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ted Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16097551367004379487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-32618536723769639632013-08-08T10:23:23.977-04:002013-08-08T10:23:23.977-04:00I really liked the look of this and tried this met...I really liked the look of this and tried this method out for myself. The idea of the addition of living creatures in the foreground I owe to your drawing of True North Farm.<br /><br />I hope it is ok to share my stab at this, but if that's uncouth, please go ahead and delete it: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201514650378449&set=a.1258625196052.2039191.1542320682&type=1&theater&notif_t=like" rel="nofollow">My stab at this method</a><br /><br />Thank you for the information and inspiration! :)<br /><br />TedTed Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16097551367004379487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-9009931761186382352013-07-18T14:38:58.541-04:002013-07-18T14:38:58.541-04:00Good questions. I think I used a soft pencil for t...Good questions. I think I used a soft pencil for the dark lines--maybe 2B. They look darker in the photo. I believe I had two values of gray tone premixed, plus water. I probably laid down the lighter tones first, then the darker ones.James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-37551712237680583052013-07-18T14:23:34.878-04:002013-07-18T14:23:34.878-04:00I'm new to this method and have a few question...I'm new to this method and have a few questions about your process on True North. 1) What did you use for the darkest lines (around the chickens and under the roof, for example)? 2) You mentioned carrying water and a pre-mixed tone. Did you lay down multiple washes over the same shadowed areas to get darker values or did you mix your premixed tone with different amounts of water on a palette to get value onto the paper in roughly one go? 3) Do you lay down the lightest wash tones first?<br /><br />Thanks!Ted Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16097551367004379487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-52804232163168358022013-07-14T11:01:08.047-04:002013-07-14T11:01:08.047-04:00The two Guptill books mentioned are the very core ...The two Guptill books mentioned are the very core of my drawing library. I learned from them as a child hanging out in my father's architectural studio. Still have them all these years later and still learn something every time I open one of them. Rendering with Pen and Ink is also a good one!!<br /><br />For those interested in either water soluble graphite or using OMS with graphite, try ArtGraf water soluble graphite. It's delicious!!Kaylyn Munrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11717537170993339125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-44119981537244118502013-07-13T21:52:18.579-04:002013-07-13T21:52:18.579-04:00This reminds me of something I recently found out ...This reminds me of something I recently found out about. You could also use turpenoid to melt graphite and it turns it into a waterproof wash. Sometimes I make a pencil tonal drawing and then use turpenoid to melt the graphite into liquid washes. Then when it's dry and waterproof I cover it with transparent acrylic washes of color and the graphite doesn't mix with the acrylic. It's kind of an easy way to make a colored painting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12195643313957198014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-72889235967665869422013-07-13T18:15:31.392-04:002013-07-13T18:15:31.392-04:00I'll have to try this method...I typically do ...I'll have to try this method...I typically do a very basic graphite sketch before I do my oil paintings (not using washes). I like what you've mentioned here, thanks for the post!Steve Kohr Fine Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00463701878911016862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-89837633876578504812013-07-13T17:59:17.049-04:002013-07-13T17:59:17.049-04:00Matthew, the wash color is just lampblack cake wat...Matthew, the wash color is just lampblack cake watercolor thinned down with water. At the time I think I premixed a tone and took it around in a little plastic jar.<br /><br />Aljoša, thanks for mentioning Derwent's line, which works great for giving pencil that watercolor look.<br /><br />Thanks, Terry,<br /><br />Tyler, I think I added the wash midway in the picture, after I had established the basic framework. As for earlier sketches, they're a mixed lot, some better than others, but what strikes me is that I go through personal fads for certain technical tools. So everything from one period might be pencil, and from another period watercolor pencil, and then gouache. James Gurneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01870848001990898499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-42622641163649272812013-07-13T17:08:21.675-04:002013-07-13T17:08:21.675-04:00Nice post, as usual.
I have two questions for you...Nice post, as usual.<br /><br />I have two questions for you, one of which Matthew already asked, regarding the wash. Can you talk a bit more about this step, perhaps in a future post? Maybe another classic time-lapsed video with Gurney Lego-Time-Clock-Vision™ =) <br /><br />Secondly, I notice the top sketch is from 2001. Do you look back on your earlier work with a critical eye, noticing errors or omissions the younger you made? (I don't notice any on your pieces, but I do find much of my older work unsatisfactory)<br /><br />This type of tonal exercise seems such an important skill for setting up more finished works, but each one stands on its own as art.Tyler Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07171434906811033069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-4483415762373698702013-07-13T15:36:29.843-04:002013-07-13T15:36:29.843-04:00Nice sketches.Nice sketches.Terry Banderashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11385580002170019500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-46584635140194543372013-07-13T12:11:37.771-04:002013-07-13T12:11:37.771-04:00Derwent Watersoluble Sketching, or Watersoluble Gr...Derwent Watersoluble Sketching, or Watersoluble Graphitone graphite pencils also work well for this.Aljosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673775278157810352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999230124118604245.post-78301313997133711452013-07-13T11:00:12.098-04:002013-07-13T11:00:12.098-04:00Very nice! The subtle play of light and shadow on ...Very nice! The subtle play of light and shadow on the clapboard walls really sings. <br />Where do you get the wash color? Do you carry separate watercolor cakes, or pre-mix it in the jar?<br /><br />Matthewmdmattinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18215455490958117703noreply@blogger.com