In this chapter, we delve into the art of painting expressive skies, focusing on a captivating backlit scene from Malaysia at sunset. This lesson is a part of a larger course I'm developing, Expressive Skies, and offers a glimpse into the techniques we'll explore. The scene presents a unique opportunity to understand backlighting, where the sun is positioned directly in front of us, casting the island and clouds into shadow while highlighting their edges with a beautiful rim light. This setup creates a striking gradation in the sky, transitioning from warm light near the sun to cooler, darker hues as you move away. We'll explore how to capture this effect effortlessly in both acrylics and oils. The process is broken down into four simple steps: painting the sky's gradation, layering the expressive clouds, adding the rocky island, and finishing with the wet sand in the foreground. Each step is designed to be easy to follow, allowing you to experiment and enhance your own paintings. I invite you to enjoy this free lesson and share any feedback you might have, as it will help me refine the course to better suit your creative journey.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Introduce different sorts of rocks by varying their shapes. Ensure the bases of the rocks are horizontal and straight for a realistic effect. Use a smaller brush if it helps with precision.
Darken and Color Foreground Rock
Darken the foreground rock, keeping its base slightly rounded as it's closer to the viewer. Add warmth from the sky by mixing in some white and red to create a more interesting silhouette.
Lighten and Color Rock Faces
Use the brush sideways to block in lighter areas on the rocks. Add yellow ochre to lighten the edges and faces, reflecting the sky's warmth. Over the other side, mix in blue for lighter tones.
Add Green for Foliage
Mix yellow to create a dark grey-green for foliage on the rock tops. This adds a natural touch where plants might grow.
Enhance Light and Warmth
Increase the light and warmth by adding more yellow, pushing the color towards orange. Apply this to the rock planes to reflect the sky's warmth, bringing the rocks forward.
Pro tipEnsure rock bases are horizontal and straight for a realistic effect.
In this lesson on painting expressive skies with backlighting, you begin by establishing a smooth base for your sky using a wet-on-wet technique. This allows you to create seamless gradations from a sunset pink to a vibrant yellow and deep blue. As you progress, focus on blending colors smoothly and maintaining a wet surface to achieve the desired atmospheric effect.
Next, bring your sky to life by adding clouds, using a combination of soft and hard edges to create depth and interest. Employ retarder medium to extend the workability of your acrylics, allowing you to manipulate the paint for natural transitions. As you add details, such as highlights and shadows, remember to keep your brush clean and your colors fresh to enhance the backlit effect.
Finally, add the finishing touches to your landscape by painting the island, rocks, and their reflections. Pay attention to the interplay of light and shadow, using crisp edges and varied brushstrokes to convey realism. Incorporate small details like seagulls and shells to bring movement and life to your scene. Remember, the drying process will darken your colors, so adjust accordingly to maintain the vibrancy of your painting.
Points to remember
Keep the painted area wet by misting with water for smooth blending.
Use varied brushstrokes and keep the paint wet to achieve smooth blends in the sky.
Use retarder medium to keep acrylics workable for longer, allowing for smoother blending.
Use a mix of hard and soft edges on clouds to add depth and interest.
Ensure rock bases are horizontal and straight for a realistic effect.
A crisp edge between the rock reflection and sky reflection enhances realism.
Use a single brushstroke to create big, crisp shapes for a strong foundation.
Remember that paint dries darker, so mix colors slightly lighter than desired.
