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.
Create a neutral color by mixing blue and red together. This combination includes the three primary colors and results in a color that is nearly black. Be cautious with this mix as it can become too dark.
Use Crisp Synthetic Brushes
Select crisp synthetic brushes for their ability to provide a sharp edge. These brushes help you create precise, sharp shapes in your painting.
Maintain Dark Colors
When painting over wet paint, keep replenishing the dark paint on your brush to maintain its darkness. Wipe off the brush, pick up fresh paint, and continue applying it to ensure the color stays dark.
Add Trees with a Filbert Brush
Use the very tip of the corner of a filbert brush to make small dabs. This technique helps create the shape of a tree effectively.
Add Texture to Straight Lines
Adjust straight lines to avoid symmetry, adding texture to make the painting feel more natural and balanced.
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.
