Clouds Over Ireland Pastel Demo

'Enchantment'          8x10             pastel          ©Karen Margulis
available $145

I just had to paint them! I was scrolling through my photos from Ireland looking for something to paint for my travelog posts. The clouds stopped me in my tracks. So I pulled out a prepared piece of Multimedia Artboard and painted them. The travelog will resume tomorrow but today I'd like to share the making of today's painting. Enjoy the step by step photos and be sure to scroll all the way to the end for a special treat.

Step one: choose the paper or support

 Step One: I selected a board I had already prepared with an orange toned texture. I made the texture using clear gesso tinted with orange liquid acrylic. I applied this mixture with a brush on an 8x10 piece of Multimedia Artboard. I wanted the sky and clouds to have a random and exciting texture.

Step 2: Block in the big shapes

Step 2:  I drew the big shapes of the land and clouds with orange Nupastel. Next I blocked in these big shapes with one layer of color. I chose colors to create a value map of darks and lights. I needed to rub in this first layer to fill in the grooves of the textured surface. I let some of the orange tone peek through.

Step 3: Paint the ground

Step 3:  The painting was going to be about the dramatic light filled clouds so I wanted to keep the ground simple. I decided to paint it first so that I could use some of the colors both in the ground and the sky.  I kept the elements on the ground simple. I only suggested the trees and grasses.

colors in my clouds...yellow, green, orange, violet

Step 4: Leaving the ground I went to work on the clouds. The first thing I did was create the shadows or darker areas in the clouds. Instead of using gray pastels I created my own blend of gray using  greens, yellows, peaches and violets. Some of these pastels were used in the ground creating a visual connection between earth and sky.

Adding cloud lights and blue to the sky

Step 5: I began to add the lighter values in the clouds. I used very light value peach and yellow instead of white. I also reinforced the blues in the sky keeping in mind the transition of blue from dark and cool to light and warm.

Step 6:  As I added blue to the sky I decided to take out my artistic license and add some blue to the ground. Why not have a wee stream flowing through the meadow?

Finished? Not quite.

Step 7: I continued to build up the clouds. I rubbed layers in with my pinky finger and added more pastel. The texture is so strong that it is visible even when the pastel is pushed into the grooves. To build the layers I use the same yellow, peach, violet and green pastels.  I save the lightest light (almost but not quite white) for the brightest clouds. Reinforced the blue of the sky and painted into the clouds to define them.

click to enlarge and see the texture

The final painting with some light on the little sheep in the meadow

Step 8:  I thought I was finished and took photos. When I looked at the photos I decided that the clouds needed further definition. I used the lightest light pastel to add some highlights to some of the clouds. I pushed this pastel into the board with a shouting mark! I enjoyed painting this scene!

If you would like more details and information on painting clouds and skies  consider trying my PDF booklet on Painting beautiful skies and clouds. For this week only I am offering 10% savings on all PDF demos. Use coupon code DEMO10 at checkout or follow this link for the coupon.

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