Artist Ashley Krieger teaches you how to paint beautiful clouds. She shares 12 important tips, tricks and techniques that help you paint any type of cloud. These techniques she shares work with acrylic and oil paints. This lesson is perfect for beginner artists.

Tip 1- Use references like the sky outside, your own photo, or use a photo found on the internet. I found my photo reference on Pixabay.com and here is a link to the reference photo I use for this painting tutorial: http://bit.ly/2lO54b3

Tip #2- Don't copy the picture exactly. Copying just limits making the painting better than the picture. Just use the things you love about the picture.

Tip #3- Study about how to paint clouds. There are awesome references like my video :) and lot's of books. Here is a link to my favorite how to paint cloud book (amazon affiliated): http://amzn.to/2kIuztr "How to Paint Clouds and Skyscapes" -Powell

Tip #4- Match the colors in your reference photo. Here is the link to my video on how to make and match the correct colors every time you paint: https://youtu.be/hPRredv4zGk

In this video I use just my most primary colors. Specifically I am using water mixable oil paints in these colors. (affiliated links)
Cobalt Blue- http://amzn.to/2kINZhx,
Cadmium Pale Yellow Hue- http://amzn.to/2kw5qkL
Cadmium Red Deep Hue- http://amzn.to/2kIx3rE
Titanium White- http://amzn.to/2l6PXJE

Using acrylic paints for this project works just as well with these same techniques. If you have it use slow drying medium with your paints for better blending. I use this set of acrylic paints: http://amzn.to/2licoOl

Tip #5- Use filbert brushes. They just work the best for making cloud shapes and textures. Here is a link to a nice filbert brush set (affiliate link)- http://amzn.to/2liaT2x

Tip #6- Paint in your shapes. Block in large areas that are the same color. Make sure you paint the shapes and not what you think a cloud should look like.

Tip #7- Copy the texture of the clouds with your brush strokes. For puffy clouds move your strokes in a circle motion and wispy clouds in wisp motion and so on...

Tip #8- Match the colors throughout the sky. Use your reference as your guide. Finishing touches wait until the end.

Tip #9- Don't mix blue and yellow or you will have a green sky. Make sure these colors are not layered or blended. If you need to make a gradient between the yellow/orange and blue use white paint to do so.

Tip #10- Blend but do not over blend. Blending the colors together helps the sky look more realistic but too much blending and you will end up with blobs for clouds. Once you see it looking like a cloud move to the next spot. Over blending is one of the biggest problems for beginners.

Tip #11- Balance contrast. Your sky of clouds should be coming together by this point and now what you want is to make sure you have enough contrast between your light and dark areas. Make sure also that your painting has a balance of light and dark areas and it is best to step back from your painting and see where your eye goes.

Tip 12- Paint in your own style. This video is just one way to paint clouds in the sky. Once you know and understand these techniques you can apply them or not but on purpose to get the look you want. Watch how I paint in my own personal style with a palette knife. My artwork is for sale here: http://www.ashleykrieger.com/

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Music By: Meditation Impromptu 03 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100161
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Meditation Impromptu 01 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100163
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Check out Ashley Krieger's Artwork: http://www.ashleykrieger.com/

Thank You!