In this video workshop, James Gurney continues his "Color in Practice" series by offering exercises for creating color gradations. He uses watercolor, gouache, casein, and acrylic, but the painting insights are universal and will benefit oil painters as well.

He then applies those principles as he paints a banded cylinder, a dappled light effect, and a checkerboard illusion. These exercises bridge from 2D skills to form modeling. He then takes gradients to the next level by creating four plein-air paintings that put all the principles in action: fern study, a traditional landscape, and a cityscape while describing every step of the process and answering questions from viewers.

Running time: 1hr:18 minutes. 1080p HD video MP4 download or streaming.

PRAISE FOR GRADIENTS

“In Gradients: Color, Form and Illusion, Gurney has once again demonstrated his ability to take complex or confusing concepts, reduce them to their essential components and lay out a path to understanding with clarity and ease.” —Charley Parker, Lines and Colors blog

“The thing about painting is that everything gradates. Recognizing this, James Gurney devotes an hour to this essential and too often overlooked skill, outlining several approaches to creating seamless transitions in water-based media with some helpful hacks from his illustrator’s bag of tricks. An absolutely great and informative video on a hugely important subject for all painters.” —Edward Minoff, Artist and Professor, Grand Central Academy

“In this video, artist James Gurney takes the mystery out of painting gradients, a necessary skill in the painters and illustrators toolbox. Mr. Gurney simplifies the process of painted color gradients by breaking things down into a series of short studio exercises that you can do at home, using a variety of paint mediums and suggested tools.” —Veronica Lawlor, Artist and teacher

“Each demo is chock full of tips on how to think about light, color and human perception. This is a must have video for anyone interested in color, form, and the illusion of depth in a painting.” —Todd Casey

“Like a magician stepping through how a magic trick is performed, James steps through his demos of gradients and their practical application in his paintings, unveiling the secrets behind the magic of the effect.” —Chuck Grieb, Professor of Animation, Art School at Cal State Fullerton

“This new video from Jim gives an easy-to-watch and very conversational approach with eye-opening ways to approach painting.” —Roger Bansemer, Painting and Travel with Roger and Sarah Bansemer

“James Gurney's video workshop about gradients was the most concise, comprehensive, engaging and informative video I have ever seen about different ways of blending with a variety of techniques and mediums, from watercolor, gouache, casein and acrylic!” —Tiffanie Mang, tiffaniemang.com

“I never knew gradients could be accomplished simply and never thought that you could use so many methods to accomplish them. I cannot wait to try out these techniques and experiment with my future landscapes! But first, let's paint a checked cylinder.” —Angela Sung, VisDev & Art Direction

“No matter your skill level as a painter, you’ll always learn something new in every James Gurney video. “Gradients” does not disappoint. Gurney follows each up-close studio study with a more complex on-location sketch that illustrates how he puts each gradient into practice. And as always, every tidbit of information is delivered with intelligence, warmth, and a sprinkling of humour.” —Shari Blaukopf

On sale for 10% off during the weekend Sept. 10-12, 2021 only