Painting Light & Atmosphere by Joseph McGurl is a must have for any serious plein air landscape painter. This DVD starts out with Joseph McGurl painting on site in the mountains. It is fabulous! He explains what he is doing at all times and you can see this master painter in action, along with his thought process and what brushes and techniques he uses.
One thing that really stood out for me was all the different effects you can get simply by using different brushes and McGurl uses quite a few of them. I imagine the Old Masters did the same thing with what ever they had.
McGurl then takes you inside his studio to make a larger version of his study. He does not keep strictly to his study, he can choose to change things around. Again, you see this Master plein air painter at work and each and every brushstroke. He tells you the paints and mediums he uses and when and why he uses each one.
Another thing is that Joseph McGurl does not use photographs! He paints from life on site and takes that back to his studio to make a painting. He may touch up a few things on his study but does not want to hinder the freshness of painting outdoors and the feeling that the studies have. This is so much different from other painters who rely on photographs for their landscape paintings. He has so many studies and has been painting outside so long, he knows what the atmosphere will do and also can take parts from each of his studies to make a new painting.
The interview with Eric Rhoads is very enlightening. He asks good questions which McGurl answers openly and honestly.
I have been plein air painting for almost 20 years and found this DVD to be so helpful and insightful! I highly recommend this DVD. I watched it in 1/2 hour increments and took pages of notes while watching it. You can purchase this video at Liliedahl Art Instruction Videos. This video is definitely worth your time and money!
Sharon Morley
www.sharonmorley.com
September 4, 2019