5 tips to paint backlit clouds

Ever tried to paint backlit clouds in oils? Here are 5 tips from Dutch painter Janhendrik Dolsma that will help you get great results.
Dolsma (1950) is an expert painter of clouds, beaches, dunes and of course the ocean. On his KZbin channel he shares a lifetime of painting experience in short tutorial videos with an emphasis on painting clouds. His full length tutorials (over 60 minutes) have found their way to buyers all over the world. Full tutorials can be found here: www.paintingsk...
Dolsma participated in exhibitions in the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, Taiwan, Spain, Belgium and the USA.
Website: www.paintingsk...
Full length tutorials: www.paintingsk...
Online sale: www.janhendrik...
Blog: paintingclouds...

[@prichardgs]

I'm an artist and I'm so glad I found your channel!!!!!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you! If you're interested in my full length tutorials, please go to www.paintingskies.com/video.

[@petermckenzie7331]

I think you you are a brilliant artist and that comes from someone has an award winning artwork and I have learnt a lot from your videos,well done

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Peter. Congratulations with your award!

[@sunshine101562]

Thank you so so much for this. Cloud backlighting has been my struggle, you explain it so eloquently! 🥰🥰🥰

[@PaintingSkies1]

Good to hear the video has been helpful!

[@MarkXHolland]

Short on time, yet long on information. Most inspiring, thank you.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Mark. What do you think of the banners with the recipe of the mixes I use?

[@saltlifegull4091]

Doesn't matter if someone watches this 1000 times, they won't be able to create what you do. Did you let it dry overnight several times, or just paint wet on wet the whole way? Amazing and so appreciative to get to watch you, Jan!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you! I let each layer dry overnight. That's the advantage of using a fast drying medium!

[@woadblue]

Lmao! This guy's great, don't get me wrong. But he's not a super human experiment, he's a regular man who has honed his skills. Of course others can replicate this, it's why he's taking the time for teaching. I believe anyone can be an artist, if they are willing to invest years of their life to learn and harbour dedication and love for the craft. Not trying to undermine this artist. Just as an artist myself I get very tired of the "oohh what talent! I could never!" Because it implies that myself or any other artist can just do it naturally without any effort, when the reality is we commit a great deal of effort and our time on Earth to learning how. Hope I articulated that well. Peace.

[@PaintingSkies1]

@@woadblue I agree. Putting in the hours is crucial. I'm not saying that talent doesn't play a role, but without the many hours of trial and error it won't come to life.

[@lavonnecarrick2238]

What is your service if it isn’t, canvas?

[@PaintingSkies1]

@@lavonnecarrick2238 I work on 6 mm MDF board. Wrote a short article about it in my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2015/01/canvas-or-board.html.

[@hadiyyaedah-tally7302]

this is amazing! and i love the peaceful little transition scenes you do throughout the tutorial (like showing the ball, and your cat) it really reminds me to take it easy, do things step by step & take a break. thanks a lot for this video!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Im really pleased with your comment.These transitional scenes are meant to create moments of reflection. Thank you!

[@carrollwilson5169]

Stunning painting, great information as always, thank you so much 💖

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Carroll. Good to hear the information is useful!

[@madwez]

Marvelous artwork. i always feel so happy to see blue skies. always remember that pink floyd song "Goodbye Blue Sky" and same time be grateful to still be able to see a blue sky. in the future it will be harder i think.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you! If your premonition comes true, Mr. Blue Sky by ELO would be a more appropriate song...

[@georgianwindow]

I visited China and in 4 weeks in total over 3 visits I saw the sun shining only on one day

[@Jimmy-kh4cp]

@@PaintingSkies1i love elo!

[@jamieb7342]

Thank you! I find your videos very calming. I enjoyed your kid's drawings and cat. I think it's time to buy another one of your tutorials.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Jamie. Good to hear you enjoyed the drawings and the cat. Thanks for buying my tutorials!

[@michaell31]

I have appreicted and enjoyed your more active postings and emails. I'm sure it's a challange to break the creative cycle and be more attentive to administrative tasks. BUT- your sharings inspire and inform us so thank you very much.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Michael. Good to hear you enjoy my videos. You're absolutely right about the administrative tasks. They're not my favorite, but what can you do. Love doing the KZbin videos though.

[@shahj3593]

Thank you! It is amazing ❤️ And your tutorials are very informative!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Good to hear, Shah!

[@johnmcbrien1947]

So grateful for your generosity in sharing your skill. Thank you.

[@PaintingSkies1]

You’re more than welcome,John!

[@paulpinion6432]

Always amazing views in your paintings that not only evoke a sense of wonderment, yet also inspiration for my own artist journey. Thank you kindly.

[@PaintingSkies1]

You're more than welcome, Paul. Good to hear my work helps you in your own work.

[@marciahorton2203]

Thank you for demonstrating these types of clouds. Last summer I enjoyed watching the clouds in the evening and some evenings there would be the clouds that would be backlit and I did wonder what would be the best approach at painting them. They are very beautiful and you have definitely captured all of their glory. Very nice and soothing touch to show your fluffy ones as well. Stay safe and I am looking forward to seeing more. Your friend from Southeast Michigan! :)

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks you, Marcia. Good to hear you like my backlit clouds. The fluffy ones are a joy...

[@angelasmith2163]

Thank you for sharing! I learned so much from this & the painting is absolutely beautiful!

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's great, Angela, thanks!

[@bethbartlett5692]

​​@@PaintingSkies1 Are you using acrylic or oil paint? .

[@PaintingSkies1]

I'm using oil paint, Beth.

[@otaviosantosdealbuquerque]

Beautiful! Thank you for this incredibly helpful and informative video :) congratulations on your mastery of color and light

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Otavio!

[@anaperrier2637]

He esperado con entusiasmo desde el último vídeo. Muchas gracias de nuevo, por sus constantes aportaciones 🐈

[@PaintingSkies1]

¡No lo mencione!

[@MrJayson204]

Truly is amazing how much of the painting of clouds is carried, simply, by the edges. Thank you for the tips!

[@PaintingSkies1]

My pleasure, Mr. Jayson!

[@lauralaladarling3775]

Thank you for your masterclass of how to paint magnificent clouds. Your technique's to paint sunlight through fluffy clouds using different blue values is super-impressive. ❤❤❤❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Laura. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@msgra55]

Thank you for sharing your painting tips! Love your work!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Denise, my pleasure!

[@muallabiber9323]

Yine harikasiniz. Soylenecek kelime bulamiyorum. Mukemmel👏👏👏

[@PaintingSkies1]

Teşekkür ederim, bunu duymak çok güzel, Mualla!

[@patrick18051949]

Love your style

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Patrick!

[@petergreen5319]

Thanks for the very useful tips . I'll have to pick up a few color shapers . Thanks also for the color mixing recipes .

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Peter. Good to hear the color mixing recipes have been helpful.

[@antoniodelmar4406]

Felicitaciones Master 🖌️🎨👍

[@PaintingSkies1]

Gracias, Antonio!

[@robot7759]

Of course you're Dutch, we've got the best clouds ever 😊

[@PaintingSkies1]

En zo is dat!

[@assosiasipelukismelawi6261]

The technique of making clouds is amazingly steady 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks!

[@yvonneli2744]

Thank you so much for your sincerely details🌹🌹

[@PaintingSkies1]

You're welcome, Yvonne!

[@julieannecook-artist]

Beautiful sky & sparkles . I am learning a lot from your paintings thank you ❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's great to hear, Julie-Anne, thanks!

[@andywesselsphotographyart]

Weer een uitstekend tutorial. Leer er steeds weer een beetje bij. Grappig, het bekijken van deze videos laat je ook met andere ogen naar de wolken kijken (als hobby fotograaf EN als schilder).

[@PaintingSkies1]

Dank je, Andy. Goed om te horen dat je iets aan mijn videos hebt. Dat je met andere ogen naar wolken kijkt is wel het grootste compliment!

[@AlJohn001]

Beautiful. Thanks for Sharing.

[@PaintingSkies1]

You're more than welcome, AJ!

[@learnartwithwills6198]

That was a fantastic tutorial, I learned a couple of really useful techniques, thank you, Wills

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's good to hear Wills, thank you!

[@Idontknow-lm6bc]

This was so helpful thank you so much🖤

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's just great to hear, thank you!

[@valeriovecchietti7836]

Complimenti bellissimo e grazie per i tuoi consigli.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Non parlarne, Valerio. Mi sono divertito molto a fare il video!

[@markbutler9076]

Hi Jan thank you for sharing your knowledge...i paint using acrylics so i am going to try my version of this video...smaller i might add...i dont have room for such a large canvas...love your channel keep up the amazing work,you are an incredible artist my friend

[@PaintingSkies1]

My pleasure, Mark. I wrote an article about the choice between oils and acrylics on my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2016/08/oils-and-acrylics.html. If you find the time you could read the comment on the article of an acrylic painter (Gayle) with lots of tips to apply the glazing technique with acrylics.

[@MichelleTaylor-1111]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video! Definitely will use your technique. Thank you so much.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Good to hear, Michelle, thank you!

[@lostsoldier212]

I absolutely love this painting...i also absolutely love this video.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you!!

[@williamwedmedyk3927]

I was stuck on some clouds im trying to animate, and this unstuck my brain! thank you so much!

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's just great, William, thanks!

[@coramuller6065]

Fantastic ! I've just found your channel and subscribed to learn more. Thank you, Janhendrik.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Good to hear you enjoy my channel, Cora. If you want to learn more about my painting technique you could download one of my full length videos at www.paintingskies.com/video.

[@darrenwright6476]

Lovely work here

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Darren!

[@meiravanderspa4109]

wow! thank you for sharing this very useful tutorial 🙂

[@PaintingSkies1]

My pleasure, Meira!

[@FineartsRelaxationunwinding]

Thank you for sharing this! Absolutely amazing

[@PaintingSkies1]

Glad you like it. Thanks!

[@RonnyfromHolland]

Great fun to watch. I suggest you are Dutch?. ... To people from other country,s more south , and inland , : the Netherlands has its western , and northern side by the northsea During fall, we can smell the polar airflow coming, and with that , a significant change in atmosphere , in just 2 month , causes cloud formations to be absolutely pure and a never ending pleasure to watch This time of the year , some days have 3 types of clouds at the same time. The fire dawn, macrel skys, purple sunsets. Many good painters come from the netherlands. Just some fun fact ❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

You're right Ronny, I'm Dutch. And I totally agree with your description of the Dutch skies in autumn, they're phenomenal, especially when those endless rows of clouds come rolling in from the north-west.

[@leandrobalanzasanchez3464]

Muy realista, muchas gracias por su información.

[@PaintingSkies1]

No lo menciones, Leandro!

[@louise2467]

👏🏼👏🏼👍🏻Great work.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Louise!

[@payawdad]

great job 😍I try to learn but without benefits 😢I want to paint like your painting.. thank you ❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you! Just keep painting, don't give up, you'll get better putting in the hours. If you're interested in my full length tutorials (up to 60 min.) you can download them at www.paintingskies.com/video. Or you can support me on Patreon and get access to all my videos (www.patreon.com/paintngskies).

[@korukiwiarts]

Beautiful painting. I have a question. Are you using acrylic and oil paints together?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you! I sometimes do an underpainting in acrylics and the top layers in oils. You have to be careful not to use the acrylics to thickly.

[@pgm5693]

Wonderful technique.Cheers.P

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks!

[@janiemachiz5756]

I learned so, so much from you, and I love having the opportunity to study from you even though I’m so far away. I know how great you are in teaching it, please continue. I honor you, even if we never met, I know you. As far as your ability to express yourself. , It sounds creepy. Sorry for that. But you put your soul out, I too. Not so much. I’m sorry about the war. It’s beyond my comprehension in my life. I wish only love and peace. But how safe we feel, if we are not being in it. The war feels far away, The guilt is still felt . I feel it. But the world is getting smaller and we all want the same protections, so it can only get even smaller. How small can it get?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Janie. I'm really pleased my tutorials have been helpful! I will continue to post new videos. We all look in horror at the present events. May they end soon.

[@FineartsRelaxationunwinding]

Wow! That's awesome!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you!

[@pascalegallicus9669]

Beautifull ❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you, Pascale!

[@katsheetz]

you could read the phone book and make it seem special....in these days we need a calm voice over ...thank you for the way you present

[@PaintingSkies1]

You made me laugh with your phone book remark. Thanks, Kathryn!

[@jaimehernandelgadoquintero4539]

Gracias

[@PaintingSkies1]

¡No lo menciones!

[@kanchangupta2038]

My words of appreciations are few about your. masterpieces.. # Dr.Kanchans desk

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you!

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

Great advice 🤗

[@PaintingSkies1]

That's good to hear, Maxim, thanks!

[@Pigaymer]

Thank you SO MUCH for that!!

[@PaintingSkies1]

You’re welcome!

[@karencase8495]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge about painting clouds. You mentioned that you paint on a flat surface and suggest that you don't paint on a canvas. May I ask, what surface do you paint on?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you for your kind words, Karen. I work on 6 mm MDF board. Wrote a short article about it on my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2015/01/canvas-or-board.html. Hope this helps!

[@sesterhood]

Amazing, loving your whole process keep coming with such tutorials❤ kindly tell me what kind of a surface is this you are painting, canvas? thn how u r able to blend by thumb bcx acrylics get smuged.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thank you! I work on 6 mm MDF board. Wrote a short article about it on my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2015/01/canvas-or-board.html.

[@jessicagiardino8298]

@@PaintingSkies1

[@mazkraut9776]

Nice video! Thank you very much. :) You say you're not using canvas. What surface do you use, and how do you prepare it?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Maz. I'm working on 6 mm MDF board. I wrote a short article about it on my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2015/01/canvas-or-board.html.

[@mazkraut9776]

@@PaintingSkies1 Ah, thank you so much! I will have a read now!

[@KathrynJones-qv7pq]

Would love to attempt this painting. Could you tell me what colour mix you used for the low clouds on the horizon please.

[@PaintingSkies1]

I used a mix of Brilliant Yellow (an Old Holland color) and Vermillion Red (Rembrandt).In a later stage I darkened it with a little Sepia and Indigo, both Rembrandt colors.

[@mediaharlot]

What kind/brand of stipple brush do you use? I'm trying to find a good one that doesn't shed bristles so often.

[@PaintingSkies1]

To be honest, I don't have a specific brand of stipple brush. I buy mine at the local hardware store. Here in Holland their normal use is for painting doors and window panes. In my experience they shed bristle mostly in the beginning. I have a special (old) fan brush to pick up hairs from the wet paint surface. Patience...

[@allenvoss7977]

I’m switching from canvas to Ampersand gessoboard what are your thoughts on that ?

[@PaintingSkies1]

To be honest, I never worked on Ampersand gessoboard. I understand the board is not completely smooth. I like my boards really smooth. My advice would be to just try it.

[@allenvoss7977]

@@PaintingSkies1 It is a fine texture. I’m used to medium canvases so this is a dream come true .

[@PaintingSkies1]

@@allenvoss7977 Great!

[@harshivijayvergia3270]

Are they made from acrylic or oil

[@PaintingSkies1]

It's oils. I added it to the video description. Thanks!

[@darwinbelga418]

Is that acrylic?

[@PaintingSkies1]

No, it's oils. Nevertheless, the tips remain the same for acrylics.

[@meowmeow1stgen668]

How does your paint stay wet for so long?

[@PaintingSkies1]

I work with oils, they stay wet a lot longer than for example acrylics. I wrote an article about it on my blog: paintingcloudskies.blogspot.com/2016/08/oils-and-acrylics.html. If you find the time you could read the comment on the article of an acrylic painter (Gayle) with lots of tips to apply the glazing technique with acrylics.

[@tarotwithkellsie2763]

The music 🎶 💃 makes me want to get groovy

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Kellsie. Did it myself, so your compliment means a lot!

[@pyinine-q6e]

ကျေးဇူးတင်ပါတယ်

[@PaintingSkies1]

မဖော်ပြပါနှင့်!

[@altastretton1768]

Baie goeie les. Dankie.

[@PaintingSkies1]

Dankie jy's welkom!

[@jawadkazmi8856]

Are you painting exclusively with Oils?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Yes. I sometimes do an underpainting with acrylics, but that's quite rare to be honest.

[@1981SHERRY]

What color do u use for blurring

[@PaintingSkies1]

I use Transparent White (Royal Talens) mixed with just a hint of another color. If you're interested in the colors I use, send me an email ([e-mail]) and I will sen you my list of colors, brands & brushes.

[@mahshidrashidi1090]

Is it acrylic paint?

[@PaintingSkies1]

No sir, it's oil paint. I never was any good at acrylics.

[@ronaldboon8353]

Mooi werk Jan, is hier een full tutorial van te koop?

[@PaintingSkies1]

Nee, dat wil zeggen dat ik wel meer filmmateriaal heb, maar op het moment kies ik voor de korte KZbinfilmpjes. Het maken van een lange video is nogal bewerkelijk...

[@sandrareginacovaslima1641]

❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks, Sandra!

[@farklefuster6876]

I assume that you are working with acrylics??

[@PaintingSkies1]

No, I'm working with oils. Should've been more clear about that...

[@johncoulter8023]

Yikes! I cannot find your Vermillion Red oil paint anywhere!!!

[@PaintingSkies1]

Sometimes the same color of one brand differs considerably from that of another, but fortunately that's not the case with Vermillion Red. You can buy it from almost any brand and it will be just about the same color.

[@MelbourneMaster]

You shound just like Christopher Walken

[@PaintingSkies1]

I take that as a compliment!

[@kblongespee9225]

😲😲😲😲

[@PaintingSkies1]

Not quite sure what this emoji means, surprise, fright?

[@jawadkazmi8856]

I guess it's not oil as I kept noticing you touching the canvas 😂

[@PaintingSkies1]

I use a fast drying medium (Liquin Light Gel, a Winsor & Newton brand) that allows me to resume painting the next day.

[@jawadkazmi8856]

@@PaintingSkies1 So it is Oil We would like to see a complete tutorial one day step by step as we appreciate your technique and style. I'm a new painter (as of November 2022 oils mostly) and have come a long way watching artists like yourself. GOD BLESS and keep up the good work. I'm almost 60 so never too late they say.

[@PaintingSkies1]

@@jawadkazmi8856 When you go to my website (www.paintingskies.com/video) you can download some 8 full length videos (up to 60 minutes), showing the painting process from the blank board to the finished work.

[@AZ-nr1id]

❤

[@PaintingSkies1]

Thanks!