Storm Clouds

Every unique cloudscape is another opportunity to study the values and colors that create their forms.  With an eye to the sky, I isolate each mass, and drop in the hues where I see them.  The forms emerge on their own.  Using a soft brush, I soften some of the hard edges, especially at panel's edge.  Would you believe my favorite brush for this purpose is a cheap 1 inch bristle brush from the hardware store?!  Painting number 2054 in 2054 days.

oil on panel, 6x8
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Stormy Evening

Rainy days are made for painting!  From my perch on the hill, I can see the vistas in all four directions.  With everything from clearing sunset to stormy downfall in the skies, all four directions were very different!  Choosing the storm clouds to the north, some of that clearing western light was bouncing off them.  It is always important to work quickly, especially with the fading light.  In this case, I laid in the dark masses first, followed by the mid-tones.  Lightest parts went in next, blending with my brush as needed.  Barely getting this done before nightfall, this is my 2032nd painting in 2032 days.

Rainclouds over the Water

What a rainy, moody day for painting!  This painting is one of two I painted for demos this afternoon in "cloud painting", class.  It is helpful to start with an acrylic underpainting in the approximate color of the sky.  When this is completely dry, a dry brushing technique  in oils is used to achieve the airy cloud strokes.  The ground plane is not the focus, but is only there to bring the eye back to the sky.  Who knew those one inch bristle brushes could be so useful? Painting number 1894 in 1894 days.