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Sky 'thing' mini demo

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michael

Michael Edwards

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I do hope this is what was asked for in another stream - anyway this is how I paint the sort of slash blue which I often use in skies especially where there is a busy scene below. Most of the sky is left white with no wash at all and I have only used one colour, cobalt blue, in this mini demo. The first step is shown below - it may not be obvious in the photo but I do use a very liquid wash as I don't want it to dry out too quickly - it was hot in the studio this morning which didn't help. So the first step - be sure to leave a few 'holes' in the wash by the way I used a No10 brush for this :
michael

Michael Edwards

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So here's the next step - this time with a No 12 brush and plenty of water. I paint all round the blue to thoroughly wet the unpainted parts and then with the brush still fairly heavily loaded with water I tease the water wash and thwe blue wash together to soften the edges
michael

Michael Edwards

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Just keep teasing the clear water wash and the blue wash together
michael

Michael Edwards

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Final stage with a dryer brush take out some pigment here and there wherever you feel it needs it and generally tidy up before it all dries out. Voila a simple one colour sky to use as a backdrop to a more busy scene below.The photos look a bit grubby probably the dirty water I used but I all cleaned up in the end - whole thing took only 3/4 minutes - took much longer to post it all !!

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by MichaelEdwards

michael

Michael Edwards

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Just posted a painting in the gallery using this method although, as I said in the description, there aren't many 'chips' left in the sky in that one - it's at : http://www.painters-online.co.uk/gallery/art-view,picture_172701.htm

Adele Elgood

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You obviously enjoy "teasing" Michael. Very interesting - of course it wouldn't end up like that if I was doing it!!
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Interesting, Michael. I don't quite know if that was what was wanted either, but I had a play last night with the same technique as you've employed (even though it won't look like it) different colour, paper, and my clouds are wispier - which is how I usually paint them, I suppose. Not as good as yours, but I'll post the result - again, just a few minutes' work (and it probably shows). The whole sky area was painted in one go, laying down areas of Ultramarine, and then adding clear water around them, plus, towards the horizon, a little Naples Yellow (only because I couldn't find the Raw Sienna..). I also lifted out a vapour trail with plain water, when the wash had dried back a little, with the edge of a flat synthetic brush (a sable might have been too absorbent and fluffed the edges too much). I did add a little water and pigment in places when it had dried - not so sure that worked, although I think it could have done if I'd made a more determined effort. Anyway, there's no mopping away with kitchen towel here, and most of it was done wet in wet with just the trusty Dalon 3/4" flat. It's not good, and don't anyone go and judge me on it as though it were a finished painting! One is easily bruised..... But it does show I think what can be done just employing a little clear water and just encouraging the pigment to flow into it at the edges. http://www.isleofwightlandscapes.net http://www.wightpaint.blogspot.co.uk

Michael Robinson

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Well, I will have to practice both of your techniques. I must try doing more land/seascapes as I seem to be into flowers at the present. Thank you both Michael and Robert for your great explanations.
P7200031

Mia Ketels

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Very interesting demo, Michael. I enjoyed that. This should be an article in one of the magazines. I have a question: where did you find the "link-number" of that specific picture? I always mention my whole gallery-link but there used to be (in the old site) a number per posting in the gallery. Now I don't see that anymore. http://www.painters-online.co.uk/artist/MiaKetels All the best :) Mia

David Perry

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Both fabulous tutorials, thank you. And all in a few minutes ...I obviously have the wrong brushes!!! I shall keep trying. Thanks for your time and effort both, appreciated. David
michael

Michael Edwards

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Glad it was found of some interest and hope it might be of some help. As for the sky I might paint a landscape beneath it when I get a few moments. Mia - I simply copied and pasted the http address at the very top of the screen
P7200031

Mia Ketels

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Sorry Robert, I was so occupied by my question to Michael, I didn't mention your interesting story about the sky. Everybody has his/her own way of painting a sky. The only thing I always am aware off is doing it very quickly. I mostly add some raw sienna in the lower part and never make the clouds horizontally. There has to be a impression of wind (I live on the coast, so....). Michael, about the link, I always just saw 'painters-online.co.uk' at the top of the screen, but then I clicked on it and.... there was the http-address of the posting. Thank you very much. One is never too old to learn (lol). :) Mia
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