Paint Opaquely Over a Red Priming

Red is the opposite of green, painting a scene with a lot of green, you can paint over a reddish or pinkish priming. The little bits of remaining red will perk up the greens and blues. This strategy works with any opaque medium (gouache, casein, acrylic or oil). I'll demo how a red casein priming adds spice and energy to the greenery and sky colors of this gouache study.

The plein-air painting shows a Kenworth cement mixer parked near the Hannaford supermarket in Kingston, New York. Big Jim Mushett, the cart guy, makes an appearance, and Smooth stays cool in the shade.

PRIMING COLORS
...or you can use:
...or tinted gesso or even gouache mixed with acrylic medium.

TOP COLORS (Gouache and Watercolor)

BRUSHES and OTHER SUPPLIES

CAMERAS and AUDIO

VIDEO TUTORIALS

BOOKS BY JAMES GURNEY:

OTHER OFFICIAL SITES

Some of the links above are affiliate links, for which I make a small commission at no cost to you.

🎵 Track Info (Copyright Free Music )
Title : Firefly
Artist : Chris Haugen

[SarahBurnsStudio]

It is truly a gift to watch you paint and listen to your thoughts. Thank you!

[yd]

Your paintings are so lively and full of delicatesse. Such an inspiration.

[ChristinaMandy_art]

Just when I thought i'm going through art block again, here he comes saving the day, I feel inspired now! Thank you James, for everyting you do for us! Also, WOW 7:23 ! 👏🏻

[sonseraedesigns]

James, you can take the most boring picture and make it a work of art. I have seen you turn a garbage scene into a beautiful painting. That is a true artist. Some of the subject matters that you choose I would never even think of doing because they’re just so mundane but somehow the finished product is a treasure. I love your channel. We have common friends.I used to be an artist at Disney and fiends with Tony Swatton… And a bunch of animator friends from Cal arts and Disney. I still learn a lot from you as I’m never at a place where I think I know it all. Every artist should keep learning and growing. Thanks again!

[pebblesthecat]

It's always reassuring to know that no matter what subject you cover, I always, always learn something new from you and your videos.
It never feels like a lesson though - more like just a casual chat between friends that emparts some long since forgotten wisdom that only the most knowledgeable and wisest of sages has held secret, only now passing this lore on to his eager and attentive friends, who sit in awe of his mastery and greatness. Thank you for sharing your infinite wisdom with us lesser mortals.

[djfunkychicken]

This is why I love watching your channel.. entertaining with simple lessons like todays:
Pushing yourself and experimenting to broaden your experience is key to becoming a better artist.

[KathleenRenninger]

I never would have thought of using a red undercoat, but it's very effective. Thanks, once again, James, for making me think outside the box!

[SarahAndBoston]

I love the idea of adding 'visual hot sauce' to a painting! Excellent demo James.

[thuggy]

Today is a good day...because you posted a new video! Thank you!

[cdsketch]

Wonderful painting, And good to see smooth yet again :)

[lancejames]

t might please you to know you are one of my top 100 favorite people that I never met.
Thank you for all the lessons

[psychebeauty]

I know this comment has nothing to do with the video but I just wanted to say thank you so much James for making the Dinotopia series. It was a massive staple of my childhood and I am rediscovering it again in my 20s! I have so many fond memories of the pop up book and looking through the copies of The World Beneath from the library!

[dawn]

Mr. Gurney you are so dam Awesome❤ I love that red underpainting idea. I can't stand looking at the White paper so I usually underpaint👍 so I can stop stressing 😂just never thought about red before. Smooth you are such a good boy😁 thank you so much ❤

[alonsorojas]

Amazing painting as always, really liked the artistic paper subtitles at the beginning!

[nerfherder]

Never underestimate how appreciated your YT uploads are. Entertaining and informative on multiple levels. Just love your dog's name as well...Smoooth.

[d.adonis]

Love using Holbein acrylic gouache. I underpaint with acryla gouache, opaque paint with Windsor Newton. Gouache was so difficult to master in my Junior year of Art School, you took the frustration and mystery away and made it accessible in plain language.

[tthappyrock]

I've wondered about the uses of painting an undercoat! Thank you so much!

[ptaylor]

I love this one. And, hey, didn't know they had railroad cement trucks... cool

[HalfWarrior]

Always appreciate your efforts and appreciate seeing you work James!

[mega-lomart]

I tried this myself after hearing about you and your method through the grapevine. Fantastic results!