In this chapter, we delve into the captivating world of painting clouds, a subject that has intrigued many of you and is one of the most requested topics in my workshops. Hawaii, with its breathtaking skies, serves as the perfect backdrop for this exploration. Painting clouds is both thrilling and a bit daunting, as they embody a unique blend of structure and unpredictability. As artists, we must balance the analytical construction of their forms with the freedom to capture their abstract essence. My approach is to simplify the scene, which not only helps manage the complexity but also makes the painting more accessible to viewers. I often find myself challenged to add more detail, while some of you might face the opposite struggle of needing to simplify. In this lesson, I will guide you through my process of painting various cloud forms, encouraging you to observe and translate these 'wee beasties' onto your canvas. Together, we'll learn to visualize clouds as solid geometric shapes, understand their light and shadow dynamics, and simplify color mixing to achieve a realistic effect. Let's embrace the challenge and joy of painting clouds in all their glory.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
"Cloud Studies" 11x12" Oil on Canvas by Richard Robinson
Step 7Sky and Sea Color Gradients
Mix Sky Colors
Combine ultramarine blue and white for the top of the sky. This creates a strong vertical gradient that lightens towards the horizon.
Adjust Sky Hue
Add a tiny touch of yellow to a mixture of phthalo blue and white. Phthalo blue is cooler and leans towards green, creating a radial gradient from the sun.
Create Sea Color
Mix ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and white to form a dark blue-green for the sea. This combination captures the sea's depth and color variation.
Add Sky Color to Horizon
Apply a bit of sky color to the distant horizon area of the sea. This technique enhances atmospheric perspective, making the horizon recede into the distance.
Pro tipUse phthalo blue for cooler sky tones that lean towards green.
Embark on your cloud painting journey by visualizing clouds as solid geometric forms, focusing on their structure and lighting. Begin with blocky shapes, refining them gradually to create unique and dynamic cloud formations. Pay attention to the direction of light to establish realistic light and shadow sides, and use a simplified color palette to capture the essence of clouds.
As you progress, incorporate perspective to add depth, making sure closer clouds appear larger and more detailed, while distant clouds flatten and recede. Use atmospheric perspective by lightening and cooling colors as they move into the distance, enhancing the sense of space and realism. Manage edges carefully, blending most to softness while reserving a few sharp ones for contrast.
Finally, add drama and interest by incorporating accents and details, such as crisp shadows and highlights that reflect the natural light. When painting sunsets, work from light to dark to capture the vibrant transitions of color without muddiness. Throughout, maintain clean brushwork and vibrant color relationships to ensure a harmonious and dynamic composition.
Points to remember
Visualize clouds as solid geometric shapes to understand form and lighting.
Ensure every cloud and part of the cloud is unique to avoid repetition.
Think of the sky as a city of clouds with streets running between them.
Use atmospheric perspective by lightening and cooling colors as they recede.
Most cloud edges should be soft, with only a few sharp edges for contrast.
As clouds recede, adjust their contrast to blend more with the sky color.
Use phthalo blue for cooler sky tones that lean towards green.
Keep your brush clean and reload it with fresh paint for vibrant colors.
