James Gurney -

Articles posted by James Gurney

Painting the Pre-Electric Night

Before electricity, nighttime seemed a lot brighter. That’s because electric lights constrict our pupils, making the darkness darker. Read more on my free Substack.

Four Paintings to Be Auctioned on November 4

At the November 4 Illustration Art Auction at Heritage Auctions, four of my paintings will be offered for sale.The Tartarus Incident paperback cover comp, oil on board.This is the comprehensive sketch for the cover of the 1983 science f…

Living With Mammoths in Dinotopia

The partnership with mammoths began modestly, with villagers gathering the tufts of wool that the gentle giants shed in spring. Later, when orphaned calves were taken in and successfully reared, the community recognized their potential as compani…

Marty Owings Reviews Books on Sketching

Marty Owings: “If you read the book it will unlock many secrets to being a better sketcher.” Marty Owings on YouTube Direct link to my bookstore

First Contact with Mirrors

Svetlana at fortune-telling by K.Bryullov, 1836Mirrors have a powerful effect on people who have only seen their reflection in stll water. Individuals recognize themselves immediately, but that’s just the beginning.Anthropologist Edmund Carpenter prese…

Advice I’d Give My 24-Year-Old Self

Jeanette and me, age 24The part of my recent YouTube video that attracted the most interest was my answer to Andrew’s question about what advice I’d give myself when I was 24.If I could give my 24-year-old self advice, I’d say: Maintain your inde…

Advice I’d Give My 24-Year-Old Self

What I Learned from Painting this Boat

This blue boat catches my eye as I explore an island in Maine. It’s beached at an odd angle above the high tide line. Not far away, a flock of birds gathers on the wires. As I paint the picture, I answer your questions about the gouache technique,…