How To Paint Clouds With Watercolor - Best Cloud Lesson For Watercolor Realism by Deb Watson

[@elizathepainter8604]

Deb, after seeking countless How To Paint Clouds videos, yours is *by far* the best. Amazing job! You are very talented. Thank you for sharing your skills with us.

[@reidharvey3191]

i know im asking the wrong place but does someone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account..? I was stupid lost my account password. I would love any help you can give me!

[@robertg786]

GREAT instruction on the clouds. Thank you for INSTRUCTION. So many people are uploading videos that say nothing at all. We are stuck just watching them paint with out a word about what they are doing and why, while they play some silly music in the back ground. We're not psychic.

[@fionahoey6922]

Very cool!! I never thought of adding the yellow and red to the blue. I also like the way that you blotted out the white areas of the clouds! Good lesson.

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, Fiona! Most people think clouds are white but they are actually different shades of gray.

[@Bohemian-Nilda]

I LOVE your cloud-painting technique! As a watercolor newbie, I've struggled painting believable skies, but your method has truly helped me so much that I'm no longer frustrated and discouraged to paint skies! I thank you SO VERY MUCH!!!!!

[@DebWatson]

You're very welcome! I like tutorials that are easy to understand and follow, so I try to make mine that way.

[@angelamarques3708]

Beautifully done. Clouds look so real. Thank you for your video. God bless you.

[@DebWatson]

Thank you kindly, Angel!

[@cathystanfill6446]

I'm very impressed. Loved (enjoyed) watching your lesson on how to create clouds in watercolor. I am going to give it a try (I've already done clouds from watching other videos. I learn something different from different instructors). Thanks for posting your video.

[@DebWatson]

You can do it, Cathy! Try lots of different instructors until you find one that clicks with you. As long as you keep painting, you'll develop your own style.

[@jeannetteantry1086]

I am going to add that extra touch of white to my clouds. You make it look easy. Thanks for sharing. Not too many good tutorials for clouds in watercolor.

[@DebWatson]

Thanks for posting, Jeannette! I use Pro White by Daler Rowney or Bleed Proof White by Dr. Martin. They both come in a jar, aren't expensive and cover in one coat. Another trick to make your clouds look whiter is to paint another coat of more intense blue behind them.

[@marcpearsall4225]

Definitely the best lesson on painting clouds I have seen, by far. I can’t wait to try it myself. I will be looking up Deb for more lessons, for sure. Thank you Deb!

[@DebWatson]

Thanks you so much, Marc!

[@kimesch9698]

It really is the best cloud lesson. Gorgeous and easy to understand. Thanks so much!

[@DebWatson]

You're welcome, Kim. Thanks for posting. I hope your skies and clouds turn out great.

[@savindyajayasinghe7888]

I also have been looking for cloudy landscapes for years. For sure I recommend this to all as the best one ! This sky is amazing. When i saw the thumbnail, i was like "no wayyy" . Such a beautiful painting! Nice to meet someone truly talented like you !

[@DebWatson]

Thank you very much! Watercolor painting can be easier with some simple water/paint techniques, but not everyone is brave enough to try!

[@charlesz8531]

This is a very well demonstrated and explained video. I also like the Deb's calm voice.

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, Charles! I watch a lot of videos, too, and I hate when they talk so fast, I cant tell what they're saying, so I do try to speak clearly.

[@corikay]

Thank you Deb! That is a very realistic and beautiful sky! Practice and patience is what I need now! Oh, and of course to watch this video a few 100 times more!!!!

[@DebWatson]

One student had three sizes of paper. She first did a quick post card size, then immediately did a 7 x 10 size, then took her time doing a bigger size. Working fast on the first and slowing as she went, it seemed like she mastered more at the workshop than any other student.

[@causetherat308]

I've been watching water color videos on how to paint clouds for almost a year now. Yours is the absolute best! THANK YOU for not be a traditionalist and not use white.

[@DebWatson]

Make your own rules - whatever works for you.

[@causetherat308]

Art is art. A football game needs rules.

[@jillqqzhou]

Wonderful technique and very clear teaching. Thanks! Adding white ink highlights in the end really lighted the painting up

[@jillqqzhou]

I tried it this evening. Doesn't look too natural though. I'll need to plan the cloud's shape better.

[@johnkelly3178]

Deb as a beginner I found your demo on how to paint a sky the best I’ve seen. I am 67 and took up painting last week lol, but find that mixing colour is probably one of the hardest things to do. You are an incredible teacher and very talented that sky is one of the very best I’ve seen so far on here. Most of the online how too videos expect you to have prior knowledge, my prior is trial and lots of errors. My next picture is going to start with your sky, thank again

[@DebWatson]

Thank you so much for the kind words! You're in good company having issues with mixing colors. You'll learn a lot faster if you stick to three to five one pigment colors until you get used to mixing. Cobalt blue, lemon yellow and quinacridone red or rose make a great soft color triad. Phthalo Blue, winsor yellow and winsor red are all super strong intense colors if you want a strong triad. I have a lot of free lessons and painting material info at debwatson.org that I hope help.

[@yunzers]

This is a great tutorial love the way you let the colors mix on the paper. Thanks so much!

[@DebWatson]

It can be hard to leave it alone but brush stroking will not make it better. Hope your skies are great

[@prasadugaonkar]

Very nice and inspiring......

[@abcd1234783]

Deb. I am painting for 3 years already. Just for pleasure. I am strugling on painting skies. I found difficult and I have looked tutorials on net. Yours are really very very good.easy to understand. I will just try righrt away. You are really good one.

[@DebWatson]

Hi Dian, Thank you for the kind words. I am on Patreon and Teachable with watercolor lessons. Both have the same classes, Patreon is $5 a month and teachable is $8, just because the site costs more to maintain. I like teaching and am happy to help with issues and answer questions. www.patreon.com/watsonwatercolor and www.debwatson.org/. Hope your painting has more fun and success and less struggle. (P.S. You can try lots of free lessons - click the free lessons at the debwatson site.

[@abcd1234783]

@@DebWatson Thank you for your answer. I would like to know more about what do you mean with teachable. Can please you explain me more? I am interested to know about about it. Dina

[@DebWatson]

@@abcd1234783 The teachable site is www.debwatson.org. It has nice pictures of each lesson, though you have to click 'all courses' at the top to see a list of all the available classes. They have outline pages, written instructions, video demonstration and more for each class. If you click the free classes button, you can try out some. The multiple free class lesson has older lessons. I'm trying to improve the lessons as I go and get feedback from students on what helps, etc.

[@stephenferren999]

Lovely demo, explained simply and well.

[@DebWatson]

Thank you!

[@hananusif9282]

This is just so beautiful

[@DebWatson]

Thank you so much! I love clouds and skies.

[@fredh8733]

that is so cool... im going to steal your righteous water brush-dabbing paper towel highlight technique!

[@DebWatson]

Steal away - and pass it on to others. Painting makes the world a better place!

[@karendangelo6879]

Gorgeous! Your clouds came together like magic and are so beautiful. Thank you for this great tutorial!

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, Karen! Don't be afraid to play with your paintings a bit, you'll learn a lot.

[@marmur2184]

Love your cloud demonstration. Going to try that.

[@aliciashackley5830]

That’s a wonderful cloud tutorial. Thx very much. 🥰

[@DebWatson]

Thanks for posting, Alicia! Clouds can make an impressive landscape.

[@dylanatkinson1426]

Really like to look of those clouds. Thank you.

[@DebWatson]

Glad you like them! It's a simple way to get realistic clouds without overworking them or too much stress.

[@melissab3038]

Great tutorial on clouds and skies! Probably my favorite of all I’ve watched for three years now.

[@DebWatson]

Thank you Melissa! Realism is a lot easier if you use easy to mix colors and can soften edges at the end.

[@melissab3038]

Deb Watson Thank you for showing that you really only need the primary colors to make any color.

[@lizwarner8524]

Thanks so much for the wonderful tutorial!!!! Beautiful results!!!

[@DebWatson]

You're welcome, Liz. I know it looks scary while it's wet, but it usually dries lighter.

[@deborahjoy2013]

Amazing clouds!!! Stunning!!!

[@DebWatson]

Thank you. With a little practice and the right techniques, clouds aren't that hard.

[@daveleequinn]

Debby, your an absolute gem , thank you.

[@viewfromthetop176]

Nice video.Thanks, Deb!

[@DebWatson]

You are so welcome, Ruma! I hope your clouds turn out just the way you want them.

[@joyceyip1701]

Thanks for the brilliant idea of using pearl white to highlight the fluffy clouds. They looked real and beautiful. Superb! 😍

[@DebWatson]

Thanks, Joyce! If it's easy and works well.

[@delithnutkins6017]

Your clouds are amazing and I haven’t seen them done with the method you used wetting edges and blotting them off but how effective it is. I shall have a go and thank you

[@DebWatson]

Thanks so much 😊I hope your painting turns out just the way you want it.

[@boubella11]

Deb, this is a wonderful gift! Thank you for your offering here. I have struggled with clouds for a couple years and watched multiple videos but so far none have helped much. If i really want to frustrate myself, i try to paint clouds again. But you have me inspired and encouraged. This seems possible once again.!

[@DebWatson]

Thanks, Kathy, I try to find the easiest way for the best results (I'm impatient and lazy, although I don't mind experimenting a lot). I hope your clouds are not great.

[@mediagambar]

I love Technic Cloud, Thank U for Learning

[@DebWatson]

It's my pleasure

[@rosemariefargas8573]

Thank you for your tutorial, you really are the best art teacher.

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, Rose Marie! You made my day.

[@iyan_ard]

very useful tutorial.. thanks for sharing it.. 🙏😁👍

[@DebWatson]

This was done on Arches 140 lb. which is a very tough paper. Test your paper on a piece of scrap paper before you try this on a valued painting.

[@carolynteague3043]

I always enjoy ALL of your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@DebWatson]

Thanks, Carolyn!

[@marcpearsall4225]

Very well explained Deb. Many thanks!

[@DebWatson]

Glad it was helpful! Remember that it looks dark while wet and will usually dry much lighter.

[@marnieclark5957]

Deb your Painting on clouds is excelent. I have been strugling with this technique and you explain it well. Thank you Marnie

[@sahasra55]

I thank you for this lovely demo for clouds which I was longing to learn Thanks

[@DebWatson]

You're very welcome, Vimala! It's hard to let the colors alone on the paper but you'll get the best clouds that way.

[@patrickezechieleart]

Thanks for sharing Watson, nice and clear tutorial.

[@marioalejandro7549]

The clouds were fantastic. I feel the ground needed a little bit more attention. Either way is a great painting and love the way to tech 🤗🙏🏼👍🏼

[@DebWatson]

Thank you so much 😀

[@gatorlana]

Stunning clouds! Thank you for sharing!

[@tectec9125]

Will give try wet on wet clouds . Thank you for tips

[@DebWatson]

You're welcome! Clouds are actually fun when you have an easy way to paint them.

[@tectec9125]

@@DebWatson just noted added too much water on paper should had let water drip as you showed 😊 . I definitely will have to practice few times to get hang of it

[@delynveaudry6008]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, too, Delyn! This week I'll be posting an easy way to scrape rocks in watercolor.

[@jaspermartin7444]

beautiful thank you! I've tried making clouds only by lifting out the paint and.. for whatever reason I just can't get the hang of that. So I really appreciate watching you paint an outline around clouds, plus your use of gouache. You gave such a good explanation and very effective demonstration, it was very relaxing to watch, thanks again!

[@connieostroha8423]

Wow Deb! Beautiful clouds - beautiful sky! 💕

[@DebWatson]

Connie, clouds aren't nearly as hard as most people think (or make them). Just paint your sky, dry and use a toothbrush in a circulate motion to reactivate the paint. You can just push the reactivated paint to the bottom of the cloud area and lift up a bit on the top by dabbing with a paper towel. Quick, easy and very professional looking clouds.

[@drummergirl9481]

i have been challenged in my attempt to do clouds, but your tutorials are going to be very helpful when I do my next painting. Thank you so much!

[@rajpereira7280]

super touch.nice to see.

[@tbluemel]

Love your videos and your wonderful love of painting and art, Deb!

[@sharononeal1225]

That was so amazing and helpful. Thank you for sharing.

[@DebWatson]

You're welcome, Sharon! Thanks for commenting.]

[@jeanmiller5120]

OH you make it look so doable :) Cant wait to try this one. Thank you!

[@bonztube1]

GREAT DEMO!!!!!

[@DebWatson]

Thank you so much!

[@essietangle9931]

I really enjoyed the layers of paint you used in the sky and then the work on the clouds. On Steve Mitchell's channel he said the Kuretake white ink 30 is good to use for highlights. I haven't tried it yet.

[@DebWatson]

I haven't tried that one, but the Pro White Ink is excellent and around $5 a jar, which will last a long time if stirred occasionally. Ink is just a term to designate medium used for writing, most are a type of gouache.

[@essietangle9931]

Thank you.

[@peterhunt1207]

Nice clouds, thankyou for sharing.

[@brendaclague5462]

Great tutorial, can't wait to try this, thank you 🎨😀

[@ranjanachand9306]

Beautiful.. Thanks

[@DebWatson]

Thank you too, Ranjana, for posting! Try a wet sky with just a few colors. It's easy and turns out well.

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Love your sky technique! Thank you.

[@heartfeltgreetingco]

Thank you, I think they're perfect :)

[@gingerj102]

Great video...I learned so much!....Thanks

[@suehamilton8531]

Thanks for the lesson! Just lovely!

[@DavidSoekana]

Wow good tutorial Deb Watson, I'm also an painter, That's why I love it!

[@manojvaprani2345]

nice painting I love it

[@EnriqueSantiagofly]

Thank U Deb. God bless your hands! Nice!

[@jamesbrizendine962]

Hey Deb I have always wanted to paint a picture clouds and skies i some pictures of rain clouds on my phone and they be ideal to try

[@katherinesimonds622]

Fabulous Kansas kind of sky. Tall clouds mean thunderstorms 😀

[@DebWatson]

I love looking at all the different skies - different colors across the nation. Our Pennsylvania skies are usually light, with a lot of yellow. The Montana skies are deep blue with no hint of yellow.

[@lyndamitton4496]

I notice that your brush is always moving…super job! I don’t know how you get those fine lines in the tres and small areas of the roof…talent I guess!

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, Lynda! I usually use a size six brush with a sharp point so I can do little detail with the end of it. I buy the store brand inexpensive size six brushes half dozen at a time because one the tip wears out, I give them to the kids to paint with.

[@lessatwi1]

What a brilliant tutorial. Thnx.

[@williamvanstory6782]

Very nice... thank you for the information..

[@gemini0794]

Now I know how to paint clouds ♥ Great video. thank you so much for your job.

[@ginnywagner6161]

Great demo!

[@danielburgess1806]

Deb, do you have instructional dvd,s for sale? I've searched everywhere and can't find any. I love the fact that you want realism in your paintings. Seems every instructor discourages that. And you use white paint!!! Yes!!!!

[@evelyneself4938]

Smashing.

[@eloisewalker352]

Beautiful

[@MargaretLee0121]

Beautiful! Love the layering and techniques you used. I could not have imagined how beautiful it would turn out after that first wash... :)

[@tariqsaddique4080]

Excellent tutorial ma'am.

[@AntonioCandela-qo6un]

Brava bello !

[@DebWatson]

Thank you!

[@susandsilva1437]

Loved the clouds. Learnt a great deal from this class

[@torbjrnlund903]

I took a little too much of yellow, and the sky turned green. Quickly I dabbed it off with some kitchen paper and managed to save it somehow. However, before I could darken the skies a bit the painting was dry so I had to stop. This isn't as simple as it might seem, but I learn a little for every mistake. I'm a newbie, and I realize that to be good at this craves a lot of practice.

[@DebWatson]

Use a misting bottle (a spray bottle that spritzes tiny droplets of water) to keep your paper damp and workable as long as you want. When the mist first hits, it might make a pattern in the wash, but that will spread out and create a workable surface again.

[@torbjrnlund903]

@@DebWatson Oh, thank you very much.

[@belindahall5220]

I love this!! Thank you so much!

[@ullazitabinder2091]

That looks awfully easy :) I struggle a lot with my clouds (new comer to watercolor), will try your method! Thanks for sharing :)

[@neillinneball]

Beautiful! Nice explanation and very helpful

[@svamberiv7999]

Just found you..... I'm obsessed 💖☁️

[@DebWatson]

Thank you!

[@vassopapadaki7394]

very usefull video, thanks!

[@milagrosrodriguez7975]

Great tutorial! Thank you

[@sriramyapooja.s9672]

from india tamilnadu very superb

[@artistjanbeasley4264]

Thank you Deb, I appreciate your techniques, and all your videos!! I'm definitely going to try this I think it would be great also for oceans?

[@DebWatson]

I don't paint many oceans, but I know one artist would lifts his white caps.

[@artistjanbeasley4264]

Is he on KZbin Deb, I would like to see some of his work? Wished I could show you one of my watercolor! Thank you again for the wonderful videos❤

[@DebWatson]

I don't think he is, but he painted the ocean in big loose washes of color. Then he tore a piece of paper so it had ragged edges. He tapped the ragged edges on and used Mr. Clean to wipe color from the edges down, so the top was his whitecap - white with ragged edges and it taped out from the top back to water. Hope that helps.

[@artistjanbeasley4264]

Oh yes Deb, Thank you I appreciate your help!! Ingenious way to it I will definitely be trying his method out hope you have a wonderful evening🌹

[@suel4269]

Best cloud tutorial I’ve seen. Who makes the Pearl White?

[@DebWatson]

Hi Sue, Daler Rowney sells Pro White (I think it's classified as an ink (?) and Dr. Martins sells the same (or very similar) product that they call Bleed Proof White. They come in jars and stay good for a long time, although they will thicken over six months or so. Stick a stir stick or brush end down to the bottom of the jar and stir it up two or three times a year. You can add a few drops of water if you need it. Fairly inexpensive, covers in one coat and lifts easily - a joy to use for touch up or whites.

[@suel4269]

@@DebWatson Thankyou! I misunderstood you. Thought you said Pearl white. Ok I have White Ink and Dr Ph Martin BPW.

[@marthiescholer4565]

Yes excellent THANKS

[@arlenemurphy804]

Lovely

[@sooart5333]

beautiful~!

[@margoreilly9881]

First, I love your pen and ink paintings.......I am a newbie, and just wondering two things...what would the difference be if I attempted this on Arche's cold press...and what is the purpose of having the water sit for 5 min, and repeating application?...love your videos

[@rgilman46]

Thank you. Best cloud tutorial I have seen yet!!!

[@elsagrace3893]

Oh, those are the most beautiful watercolor clouds ever. I will practice clouds. What exactly is that pearl white? What is the brand?

[@DebWatson]

Pro white by Daler Rowney, usually about $5.

[@prabhapanth6762]

Thank you for a great tutorial. You have demonstrated the cloud painting so nicely. For the second layer, is the paper still damp? Thanks

[@DebWatson]

Yes, the second layer went on while the paper was still damp, but you could do it on dry paper also.

[@kallak9676]

Thank you so much🌼

[@sriramyapooja.s9672]

superb

[@DebWatson]

Thank you, Sri Ramya Pooja!

[@sullyduke]

Thanks for the great cloud instruction! What exactly is that pearl white you are using for highlights? Acrylic paint?

[@Bees123Knees]

It's actually called Pro White. I think it's made specifically for watercolors, not for acrylics. Although she does say you can use a white acrylic if you don't have the Pro White.

[@DebWatson]

It's Pro White by Daler Rowney - an opaque white gouach (they call it an ink) that illustrators use - inexpensive and covers completely. For all my materials, I have a free material lesson on my realism school - watson-watercolor-realism.teachable.com/courses. Lots of videos on the best basic watercolor materials.

[@m96920]

Excellent! But what type of brush is this at 9.00?

[@Abby-oz4wv]

at 4:00 ish you dried the painting with a hair dryer, then as part two begins you say that the painting is still "evenly damp" would you mind explaining this?

[@DebWatson]

Hi Abby, when I have a wash at a point I want to keep it in place, I will dry it completely, then to continue wet on wet, I'll rewet the paper with clean water. The dried paint tends to stay in place, even when rewet, on cold pressed paper, especially Arches brand.