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.
Keep the bases of the rocks horizontal and straight to ensure they appear stable and grounded in the painting. For the foreground rock, make the base slightly rounded as it is closer to the viewer.
Add Warmth to Rock Silhouettes
Lighten the value of the rocks with white and add a touch of red to reflect the warmth of the sky. Use the brush sideways to block in areas of color, enhancing the rock silhouette.
Incorporate Color Variations
Add variation by using yellow ochre for lighter edges and faces, and blue for lighter faces on the opposite side. This creates depth and interest in the rock formations.
Depict Foliage
Mix a very dark grey-green by adding a touch of yellow to depict foliage growing on the tops of the rocks. This adds a natural element to the scene.
Reflect Sky Warmth
Add a touch of yellow to the rocks to push the color towards orange, especially on the top planes. This helps the rocks reflect the warmth of the sky effectively.
Distinguish Foreground Rocks
To bring a rock forward in the composition, add a touch of light and warmth to distinguish it from the rock behind. Adjust the light and warmth as needed to achieve the desired effect.
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.
