Painting Clouds in Oil Paints

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In this clip I'm going to go over a subject a lot of people ask me about -- how to paint clouds in oils.

I've already started the underpainting of the clouds, so I want to show you the details because that's where it gets really fun.

In this piece, it's pretty easy just to put this down. I took whatever colors I saw in the picture and whatever forms, threw it down, and mixed it together with a soft brush.

I chose the turqoise because I've been dying to try that color!

The first thing I'm going to do is the highlights because those are the most important part in clouds - that's what really brings it out.

I'm going to start at the top, putting it on pretty thick. Continue around with the highlights. The thing you want to look out for if you're not going to make it exactly like the picture is that the light's all coming from the same direction and the shadows on the clouds make sense.

The fun thing about clouds is that there's a mix of rigid lines, and very soft fluffy lines. So you don't want to go over your whole painting with really soft lines or rigid lines, it will end up looking funny.

With these little outlines of the clouds, once you get the white on there it's really going to pop.

My paint layer below wasn't completely dry, if it was, it'd be easier to make it really bright white. So I'm going to have to put it on a little bit thicker.

One thing to think about since we're doing this in oils, is that it's a bit easier to do layers. When you're doing clouds you're seeing that this cloud is in front of that cloud, so if I were to blend in this cloud on top of that one, it will make it look like it's standing out more.

To blend in the areas that I want to, I need a really clean brush that's soft. I'm going to start at the top and not touch the edges where it's bright white, but blend in just beyond that.

Now this cloud comes over the top of this one, so I'm going to have to blend in the darker color over the highlight to emphasize that.

Once again it doesn't have to be exact, just fluff it up.

We'll keep trying brushes until we find the right one. Painting is all about experimenting, trying different techniques, different brushes, and seeing what works the best for you in each picture.

Once we've got the highlights in, we can go back in and work on the shadows.

Another good color to use for clouds and snow would be a Paynes Grey because it's already a gray-blue.

So I'm going to come in here with a bigger brush and start blending in the darker areas. Keep layering and make it darker and darker, going back and forth over each area you want highlighted.

By adding this last layer, I've added a lot of depth to the painting, which is why I love layers in oils because I can keep going back and forth over each spot until I get it exactly how I want it.

Remember when doing clouds, make some spots more rigid, and some soft, going back and forth until it's exactly how you like it. You'll eventually have beautiful clouds.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• painting clouds
• oil artist tips
• oil painting instruction
• cheap joes
• katie blackwell
• layering clouds
• painting in layers

[homefryable]

awesome work.!!

[cooldudenibb]

I think these clouds are beautiful! Thank you.

[rdevin31]

this just reminds me how many horrible artists are out there spreading lame techniques to future artists.. teaching should be reserved for those people who really have great technique and knowledge, i would feel embarssed to be at this skill level and thinking Im ready to teach others... 

[isaian2e]

There is no "right" way to paint. Everyone has their own technique. Beautifull clouds from a beautifull artist.

[PrincessHellionish]

I personally like her technique, there is no right way to do anything in painting its all what works for you.

[xusmcguy]

Did you mix the shadow color that was already on the painting before the video started or is that straight Paynes Gray?

[allisonchains]

The technique here is embarrassing. I wonder how much oil experience she has because one of the first rules to getting a nice, clean result in oil is working DARK to LIGHT. Dark oil paints in particular will muddy out any light colors underneath if the paint is still wet. Seeing her scrub the canvas like that made me cringe. There goes all your detail work. And the advice to go over it again if you don't like it is BAD. She's overworking her painting and it looks muddy and uninteresting.

[JimmuWarris]

I really like the video. Katie helps to solve some problems with the painting. It's very useful. Great job!

[ewelsa]

LAME