There are many types of clouds. Here's how to paint clouds well, and add them to a composition properly.
This time of year is ideal for cloud watching...and cloud painting! Many artists think that clouds are just filler, to take up space in a landscape. Not so! A really good cloud can be the focal point in any painting.
To paint a really good cloud you have to realize that there are many different kinds. The cloud you will add to your landscape depends on many different factors.
Color
The color of a cloud depends on several different things. When you paint a cloud, don’t just paint it pink "because." Paint it the color that makes sense with the landscape.
Here are some reasons why a cloud may be a certain color:
Bluish-grey: This comes from light being scattering by rain-sized droplets in the cloud, so use blue-grey clouds in rainy scenes.
Greenish tinge: Green comes from sunlight scattered by ice. A big, fluffy cloud that is green means heavy rain, hail, strong winds and possible tornadoes are sure to come.
Yellow: These clouds can happen in late spring or early fall months during forest fire season. Smoke mixes with the cloud causing this color.
Red, Orange and Pink: These are the most commonly artistic clouds. These clouds are formed at sunrise and/or sunset. Why? When the sun shines from such a low point on the horizon it works much like a red spotlight, changing the hue of clouds just like a filter.
Size
The size of cloud you choose is also important. Big, puffy, cumulonimbus clouds are usually spring and summer type clouds because they need lots of warm air to form. A big, puffy cloud wouldn’t be very realistic in a winter scene.
Long, wispy, cirrus clouds would be perfect for a windy scene.
Cloud Demo
Now that we have the basic idea of what kind of cloud to paint, let’s actually paint one. (Please see demo pictures below.)
Step One: Outline
Here, we are going to paint a cumulonimbus cloud. First, make an outline with a liner brush.
Step Two: Highlights
Next, add highlights. Put the whitest white where the sun will be shining brightest with a large, square brush.
Step Three: Color
Add the color that you have chosen. In this case, it’s grey and blue. Notice how this cloud is basically painted like a mountain, with ridges of light and dark. End the painting by going back and adding more highlights on the small peaks.
Even smaller, wispy clouds will have peaks and valleys. It is important to take note of these. The clouds will be darker in the valleys and lighter in the peaks.
