Without knowing the right technique, you may find it difficult to paint the clouds. If the workmanship is wrong, the resulting cloud painting will appear too thick. To paint clouds requires a light touch, and the method depends on the type of paint used. In this article, you will find several techniques for painting clouds using acrylic paints, watercolors, and oil paints.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Acrylic Paint
Step 1. Make the background first
Whether you're painting a bright blue sky or a sunrise, make the background first before you start painting the clouds.
Step 2. Start with a dry brush
So, do not wet the brush before use. Pour white paint over the palette. Take the white color little by little with a brush.
Step 3. Determine the location of the cloud
You can create a panoramic painting and place clouds on top. Or, you can also place clouds all over the painting.
Step 4. Apply white with a light touch
With gentle circular motions, brush the white color onto the canvas. Keep the pressure light.
Step 5. Expand the edges
Extend the edge of the cloud outwards with the brush. Try to create a thin look around the edges when the paint on the brush is running low. This technique will make the cloud look softer and lighter.
Step 6. Wait for all the white parts to dry
That way, it will be easier for you to make color gradations underneath.
Step 7. Create color gradations
Make gray as a color gradation. You can make dark purples out of dark blues, pinks, and red-browns to work with grays. You can also create your own gray color combination.
Step 8. Use another dry brush
Gradually add gray to the surface of the brush. Set aside any dripping paint. Gently run the brush against the lower side of the cloud to define its appearance.
Step 9. Make the cloud smaller and closer to the field of view
Objects that are farther away will appear smaller, so make the clouds smaller and fainter as they get closer to the line of sight. To make the clouds appear fainter, use even less paint when painting them.
Method 2 of 3: Painting Clouds with Watercolor
Step 1. Make sure to prepare enough watercolors
As it dries, the watercolor will appear fainter than when it was first applied to paper. So, create a cloud painting that looks a little brighter than it actually is.
Step 2. Slightly dampen the paper
Rub clean water on the surface of the paper until it is slightly damp.
Step 3. Give a little dark yellow color on the bottom of the paper
Gently rub the dark yellow paint near the lower border of the sky.
Step 4. Take the dark blue color (ultramarine) along with the water with a brush
Use a fairly dark color, then rub it over the top of the canvas.
Step 5. Apply a lighter color at the bottom of the first layer
Add more water to the brush. Add more dark blue paint. Run the brush under the first color overlapping each other until the resulting color is lighter than the first layer.
Step 6. Keep adding layers of lighter colors
Create a color gradation effect to approach the base of the painting. The bottom layer should look like a mixture of pale yellow and a bit of blue, because you've applied a dark yellow color to the base of the painting.
Step 7. Dry the brush
Wash the brush with water, then dry with a paper towel.
Step 8. Twist the brush all over the painting surface
A dry brush can lift pigment and color from the paper, making it appear white as a cloud. Move the brush slightly curved to create the cloud look.
Step 9. Dry the brush again
You have to dry the brush again from cloud to cloud. Otherwise, the brush will fade the color away, not lift it.
Step 10. Add a bit of gray color
Use a solid gray color (like a mix of red and dark blue), then rub it against the underside of some of the clouds. Leave the other side white to reveal the side that's exposed to the sun.
Step 11. Remember to paint quickly
Watercolors dry very quickly, so you'll need to finish them quickly to get this effect.
Method 3 of 3: Using Oil Paints
Step 1. Create the background
You can use a bright blue or gray-purple color according to the color of the sky you want to create. Paint the entire background of the painting with a wide brush and even pressure.
Step 2. Let the paint dry
If not allowed to dry, this background color will carry over to the clouds.
Step 3. Sketch the clouds
Using a dry brush, add black and white to the background color you are using. Sketch the clouds with a brush.
Step 4. Coat the clouds with a lighter color
Create a cloud shape with a lighter color. Use circular motions to create the cloud appearance.
To make the color brighter, add white to the original paint color
Step 5. Add a cloud painting on the background color
If you want to sketch the shape of the cloud again, you can add it in several parts of the background.
Step 6. Emphasize the result using a beige color
You certainly do not want the resulting cloud to have a color that is much different from other colors. So, use a bone-white or cream color, then brush it around the clouds you created earlier. That way the view of the top of the cloud will appear clearer.
Tips
- Don't use too much paint when painting the clouds.
- Use small circular motions. The result will be better than with big moves.
