Dear Fellow Artists:
Mark this day down on your calendar because it is indeed a momentous occasion.
For decades, until now, no one has been able to convince this very modest and humble artist to document his entire painting process, starting with his unique approach to plein air painting, his underpainting process, and the conversion to a multi-layered studio painting.
Yet Joseph McGurl has no real reason to be humble or modest, because his are among the best-regarded landscape paintings in the world. His paintings are sought out by collectors and museums alike because of their special importance.
This video was a monumental effort, months in the making. It is a must for the collection of every artist, whether you are a tight realist painter or a loose impressionist. The lessons in this video are powerful and unlike the lessons in any other video we have ever produced.
So what is it that makes Joseph McGurl’s paintings so special? We asked PleinAir and Fine Art Connoisseur magazine publisher Eric Rhoads, who personally has studied under McGurl.
“Joe’s paintings are all about composition, light, and form,” Rhoads says. “He manages to create these paintings that capture the essence of the landscape unlike any other painter alive today. Though they appear tightly rendered from a distance, they are actually very abstract when you get up close. This was the biggest surprise for me.”
Rhoads continues, “I sought out personal study with Joe because I wanted to figure out the mindset and the technique behind an artist whose works are in such demand. I’ve learned from many of the best painters in the world, yet Joe breaks every rule and paints differently than any painter I’ve ever encountered. Though painting the way Joe does seems like it would be difficult and tedious, the opposite is true.
“I spent an entire week painting and studying with Joe McGurl, and he transformed my work so dramatically that I urged him to document his process on video for a historical record, because he will go down in history as one of the great painters of all time. Because he is so quiet and humble, convincing Joe took some effort, but the end result is a video document that we can all return to time and time again to perfect our painting skills.”
So What Is It About McGurl’s Landscape Paintings?
What makes the difference between an “OK” landscape painting and one that’s so visually striking that it draws viewers in and attracts top collectors?
The composition, the light, and the form!
Light is one of the most aesthetically pleasing aspects of any landscape painting, and Joe McGurl has mastered making light appear vibrant in paintings. His composition skills are truly unique.
Form is the element most artists get wrong, yet the combination of light and form, plus some tools and techniques McGurl uses, make paintings come alive and feel real — but not photorealistic. It’s a fine line, and one Joseph McGurl has mastered.
If you want to become an exceptional painter and not just a good one, you absolutely must learn how to paint the light and form in your work, and you’ll do that by studying with the best in the world at creating light and form.
The questions, then, are: