In this chapter, we're diving into the art of painting expressive skies with a focus on back lighting—a key element often overlooked in landscape painting. This scene offers a captivating opportunity to explore the drama of towering clouds and the subtle gradation of the sky. As artists, our task is to highlight the beauty we perceive, and this lesson will guide you in enhancing and exaggerating those elements that captivate you. We'll start with the sky's gradation, painting into a wet layer to capture the warmth of sunset light, and then move on to creating expressive clouds with a variety of shapes, colors, edges, and textures. You'll learn how to use back lighting to create rim-lighting effects, adding depth and interest to your work. Using a large synthetic flat brush, we'll tackle the shadows on rocks and wet sand, ensuring they lead the viewer's eye to the majestic clouds above. This lesson is designed to be accessible, whether you're working in acrylics or oils, and I'll guide you through each step, encouraging you to experiment and infuse your own style into the process. Enjoy the journey of bringing your skies to life!
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Use a brush that allows for crisp shapes to create big shapes with a single brushstroke. Control the brush to achieve the desired shape effectively.
Add Highlights and Shadows
After forming the big shapes, add little highlights and shadows on top to enhance the details and depth of your painting.
Mix Shadow Color
Mix a slightly darker color by reducing the amount of white in your mix. This will help create a darker tone suitable for depicting shadowed areas.
Place Sandbank Shadows
Place the shadows on the side of the sandbank opposite the light source. Since the sun is coming from one side, the shadow should be on the opposite side of the sandbank.
Apply and Blend Shadow Color
Apply the darker color thickly on the sandbank and then taper it out to nothing. This creates a gradient effect that mimics natural shadows.
Use Gray-Blue for Shadows
Use a more gray-blue color for the shadows to provide a natural and subtle contrast against the sand.
In this lesson, you embarked on a journey to capture the beauty of expressive skies with backlighting. Begin by laying down a wet base of white paint to ensure smooth blending and gradations. Introduce colors gradually, starting with a sunset pink at the bottom, blending into yellows and blues as you move upwards. This creates a dynamic sky that sets the stage for your painting.
As you progress, focus on creating depth and movement in the clouds by using a combination of hard and soft edges. Use retarder medium to extend the drying time of your acrylics, allowing you to blend colors seamlessly. Pay attention to the details in the clouds and reflections, ensuring they convey the natural interplay of light and shadow.
Finally, bring your scene to life by adding details to the rocks, sand, and reflections. Use a variety of colors and brush techniques to add texture and dimension. Remember to personalize your painting by adjusting elements like clouds and islands to suit your vision. Once complete, share your masterpiece with others and enjoy the feedback from your painting community.
Points to remember
Keep the white paint layer wet by using a water bottle for smooth blending.
Use retarder medium to slow down drying time and allow for better blending.
Apply thicker paint for clouds to ensure it sits on top of the wet layer.
Use a combination of hard, soft, and very soft edges to add dimension to clouds.
Apply paint lightly with the tip of the brush to keep highlights distinct.
Maintain the darkness of a color over wet paint by replenishing the paint on your brush.
Use big brushstrokes with lots of paint for the sand in the foreground to create texture.
Make the sky color lighter than intended, as it will dry darker.
