How to Mix Skies: Mastering Color and Light in Painting | Mitch Baird

In this video, our instructor Mitch Baird dives deep into the art of mixing skies, using clean white and pure pigment to create stunning shades of blue and purple. Discover how to avoid contamination and bring out the true colors of the sky!
0:00 - Introduction to mixing skies
0:24 - Importance of clean white and pigment
1:00 - Different colors in the sky and the use of ultramarine and cobalt
2:09 - Adjusting sky colors with yellow and avoiding contamination
3:26 - Examples of paintings and the difference between life and photograph
5:07 - Overcast skies and the impact of moving clouds
7:17 - Study of warm to cool temperature in the sky and rearranging elements
12:41 - Mitch as your personal Mentor
🖌️ Key Topics Covered:
Color Variations: Explore how skies can vary in shades of blue and purple.
Lighting Conditions: Understand how different lighting conditions impact the appearance of the sky.
Painting from Life vs. Photos: Learn the differences between painting from life and using photographic references.
Observing Colors and Temperatures: Grasp the importance of observing the colors and temperatures in the sky.
Temperature and Value: Discover how these elements play a crucial role in accurately depicting the sky.
Using Ultramarine and Cobalt Blue: Find out how to use these colors effectively, along with a touch of yellow for warmer blues.
Capturing Light and Atmosphere: Get tips on capturing light and atmosphere through value.
📒 Tips for Painters:
Take notes or use visual information when painting from photos.
Focus on capturing the essence of light and atmosphere in your work.
Stay tuned for a potential future deliverable on mixing paint!
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[@JackWellsFA]

Thanks Mitch and TAAO for the freebie!

[@TucsonArtAcademyOnline]

You’re very welcome

[@---Dana----]

Thank you.

[@TucsonArtAcademyOnline]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@TucsonArtAcademyOnline Thanks, Gabor, this is one of the best channels for art subject matter online. So glad you generously post these lessons, with great artists such as Mitch and Matt as your guests. Always something new to ponder or something to reinforce for subjects you already may be aware of, such as the sky treatments here. Cheers from beautiful and highly paintable Oro Valley!! : )

[@ronschlorff7089]

Good one Mitch. Yes, the rookie-est of rookie mistakes I see in some of the work, here by folks in Tucson, at our Plein Air club is much too blue skies, most often the very first thing someone puts down, no matter the medium. In a workshop with Matt Smith, years ago here at the Academy, he taught us to be very critical with skies, as you mention, and often put them down last to keep them clean and not muddied up during painting the rest of the scene. That, particularly outdoors, when something "interesting" may happen later in the session that can be used in your sky, if it works well with the rest of the work. Also, nothing is more "rookie" than to paint trees, other backgrounds, over top of a sky, if done alla prima, that's a sure prescription for mud! So, paint the sky around mountains and trees in a landscape; that will keep them cleaner, no matter the basic color of skies! Folks, that one thing will elevate your work from "totally sucking" way up to "mediocre", at least!! LOL ;D