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!
Step 12Finishing touches and encouragement
Use Mid Value Blue-Grey
Apply a mid value blue-grey to create a strong contrast against the sky, making it appear darker and more defined.
Switch to a Smaller Brush
If your brush is too large for detail work, switch to a smaller brush, such as a signing brush, to gain better control over fine details.
Correct Mistakes with Sky Color
To fix mistakes, paint the sky back around the area. Make the sky color slightly lighter than intended, as it will dry darker.
Enhance Sky Vibrancy
Increase the vibrancy of the sky by adding more red, yellow, blue, or violet. This will create a more vibrant background that enhances the colors painted over it.
Customize Elements
Feel free to customize elements like clouds and islands, shaping them to your preference for a personalized touch.
Share Your Work
After completing your painting, photograph it and upload it to the website to share with others and receive feedback.
Summary & key takeaways
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.
