5 Tips for Painting Clouds

Responding to a question on the Painting Forum, Christy has shared five tips on how to paint clouds. These could be reduced to a checklist as shape, edges, value, aerial perspective, and color.

1. Shape: Look at the clouds as a solid "blob", and try to get the feel for the shape of that blob.
2. Edges: Clouds have both hard and soft edges. Look for where the hard edges occur and make sure you have them.
3. Value: Typically clouds are darker in value on the bottom and lighter on top. Clouds closer to you in the sky are darker, and they get lighter as they get further away.
4. Aerial Perspective: Watch your hues. Clouds get cooler and grayer as they move away from you.
5. Colors: Don't be afraid of color! Take a look at some clouds (not photos) outside and notice how the light refracts through them, showing pinks, oranges, greens, etc. Your camera will have a hard time picking that up.

Share your tips for painting clouds in the forum discussion here...

See Also:
• Painting Clouds Wet -on-Wet Using Acrylic or Oil Paints
• Types of Clouds and How to Paint Them