Storm Clouds in Watercolor

Create that 'big sky' feel and dramatic clouds in watercolor with Shelley Prior.

140lb Cold Press Arches Watercolour paper
Squirrel Hair Round brushes (Biaelk)
DaVinci Artist Quality Watercolors

Shelley Prior Fine Art - YouTube

[mkexnwe]

Самое настоящее небо из всех, что я видела! Ваше небо такое драматичное, насыщенное, яркое! Это прекрасно! Непременно попробую написать как вы! Спасибо за вдохновение!

[Flux_One]

What a brilliant video. I'd say the best cloud painting demo I've seen on YouTube.
I made some notes:
Wet paper enough that it's glossy but doesn't have puddles. Use horizontal strokes.
Wait a minute or two.
Redistribute the water so it's not gathering in puddles when the paper starts to buckle. Use horizontal and vertical strokes.
Lightly touch a charged brush on the paper to see what happens. If it spreads too much the paper is too wet.
If the paint blooms too much on the surface, blot the belly of the brush to remove excess water. Blot the side of the brush not the tip.
When mixing colour, compensate for the fact that it will dry 25% lighter in value so if it's dark on the page when it's wet don't panic.
If painting in colour rather than black and white, vary the hues in the paint mixes, so e.g. add pink in the blue for hues towards the light to make it warmer. Some mixes will separate and produce a beautiful result.
Paint the clouds first, light to dark, then paint the sky to sculpt the outside shape of the clouds (on another layer).
Use soft squirrel hair round/mop brushes.
Don't over brush. Work on an area and move on. You can always add a new layer once it's dry.
Always ensure the paint is completely dry before adding a new layer.
For clouds use u/w strokes and a flicking motion, and follow the shape/volume of the cloud.
Hold the brush half way up the handle to make your strokes more organic and less controlled.
As the paper begins to dry you must use less water in your brush, otherwise you'll make ugly blossoms.
If the paper's too dry in an area that you haven't worked on, spritz it with water.
To soften edges, always use a clean brush and blot it on paper before softening th edges. Hold the brush at a 45° angle. Only tickle the edge, don't go into the paint.
Rinse, blot, soften.
Rinse, blot, soften.
After finishing a stage/layer, clean the tape so there's no risk of blooming.
Work flat to keep an even distribution of colour
Working on a tilted surface would make the top of the paper dry quicker than the bottom.
If you're using masking fluid don't use strong heat to dry the paint as you could bake the masking fluid onto the paper.
Don't stay in one place when using a heat tool or blow-dryer. Move around the painting.
Wait for the paper to cool down.
When reactivating the paper with water for a new layer, avoid side to side strokes as that could disturb the dry paint and move it around.
A spray bottle is a better choice than a loaded brush when re-wetting the paper.
Use a fine mist spray bottle. Hold the bottle about 6-10" away from the surface.
Before re-wetting the paper, mix up the colours needed for the ext layer e.g. sky.
After spritzing the water over the painting, use a soft clean brush and lightly tickle the surface to remove any unwanted droplets of water.
Using a very light touch should not disturb the dry paint.
Since you've re-wetted the paper, use less water and more pigment in your brush, otherwise you could create unwanted blooms. You will also have better control with the paint.
Use short, light, dancing movements with the brush to carve out the whispy shapes and edges of the clouds.
Again, always use a clean brush and blot it on paper before softening the edges.
Rinse, blot, soften
Rinse, blot, soften
Soften all the desired edges before you dry the paint.
Respond to what's happening on your paper, rather than being dictated by the reference image.
Use a combination of hard and soft edges - ths will make the end result move believable and organic.
For the sky, paint a gradation of dark pigment at the top and lighter towards the horizon. This will add depth and richness.
Only wet the paper where your going to paint a new layer. It's unnecessary to re-wet the whole surface.
Smooth out the water droplets again.
Use less water in the brush when adding darker values.

[lusyanikitina]

Вы замечательный художник и превосходный учитель. Спасибо за Вашу помощь. Вы щедро делитесь своими секретами. Для начинающих это так важно. Главное, Вы поддерживаете желание творить. В наше непростое время рисование это, как медитация. Что-то для души. Ещё раз благодарю Вас. С признательностью из России.

[c.sueplant]

Shelly, this is the best storm cloud painting instructional video I have ever found. Thank you for making this.

[HorstramWieljentic]

My Goodness! God created the earth, but you, with a brush, painted heaven!

[qukgdsp]

😊Просто приголомшливо! Найцінніше в цьому хмарному уроку-наочна покрокова демонстрація методу виправлення, доповнення готової роботи, без жодних слідів корекції.Справжня реалістична робота без штучності та вичурної мальовничості!Гріє душу природністю.Я, коли з'явився смартфон та почав малювати пастеллю та аквареллю наробив купу фото для змальовування-з них половина хмарної теми!Багато художників ігнорують, або викривляють хмарну тему.Ваші хмари-неперевершені!Бажаю здоров'я та натхнення!

[lorrainemanning]

I’m always looking at the sky and wishing I could paint it. Never new how to start let alone achieve a realistic finish. So a big thank you for this tutorial

[mcdermbr]

Shelley, you are the absolute BEST watercolor instructor on You Tube and I have learned soooo much from you!! Thank you for these Wednesday videos!! I love them all!!!

[bettykropff]

I follow every video you post. Learn something new every time even if I have seen it before😊 Melbourne Florida

[michaelcody]

Great painting tips thanks Shelley love these clouds, greetings from Australia 🇦🇺.

[leonapetite]

Wow, you r amazing teacher! And deserve a million followers! ☺️ thank you so much

[hannahstahl]

Recently found you and I am so impressed. I am looking forward to going back and watching some of your older lessons. Beautiful painting and excellent teaching style. You certainly don’t leave anything out! I have been searching tutorials on painting a storm cloud and this lesson is exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[sharonwills]

My grandchildren and I paint with you ( 6 of them) Without your online lessons we would never be able to learn as lesson would cost to much. We share our supplies and have fun learning together. Thank you from all 7 of us!

[bettyviers]

Looking Good! Betty from Huntington Beach, CA USA

[annevanderwoude]

Thank you for showing me again and getting me over the scare

[lizwarner]

Very best tutorial and the most beautiful stormy sky painting I’ve seen!!! Thank you soooo much! I’m a watercolor newbie and working on stormy skies - quite challenging!

[miketurner]

I have watched dozens of tutorials on watercolour skies and I have to say that this is the best I have seen. You have a new subscriber. Thank you.

[totaflorian]

FIRST CLASS. CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU ARE A GREAT ARTIST.🙂🙂👍💖

[normaneames]

Wow, incredibly helpful and stunning painting, thank you.

[Anikanoteven]

Oh wow!!! Amazing! For sure one of the best cloud tutorials I’ve ever seen!