How to Paint CLOUDS

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Happy painting.
Clouds and sky can really help to set the mood and atmosphere of your painting. They can really enhance and compliment a landscape, can assist in a harmonious composition and add drama to a painting. Whenever I paint and landscape or seascape I nearly always add some clouds.
In this video I will show you how to paint clouds as well as colours you can use for mixing cloud tones. There are obviously hundreds of different clouds and skies that you can paint but this painting focuses on painting typical ‘fluffy’ cumulous clouds that looks like floating cotton wool and have flat bases.
The painting featured in this video is inspired by the coast of Wellington, New Zealand.
WRITTEN NOTES: Check out the written notes that accompany this video.
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If you have any questions about painting or anything art related please leave them in the comments section below and I will do my best to answer them :)

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

SUBSCRIBE TO ME ON PATREON FOR FULL LENGTH PAINTING VIDEOS Get instant access to all of my full length painting tutorial videos, bonus videos and a new video every month for $5 per month or $51 annually (save 15%). www.patreon.com/samuel_earp_artist FULL LENGTH VIDEO DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE FROM MY WEBSITE: www.samuelearp.com/downloads WEBSITES: Painting Tutorials and Videos - www.samuelearp.com/ My Paintings - www.samuelearpfineart.com/ FREE EBOOK / SUBSCRIBE TO MY EMAIL LIST: Join the mailing list for news, updates, products, special offers, art tips and receive a FREE ebook - 'Introduction to Oil Painting'. www.samuelearp.com/subscribe/ PAINTING BLOG: If you would like to see more written painting tutorials that you can paint along with check the Samuel Earp Artist Painting Blog: www.samuelearp.com/new-blog

[@behnamrahmdel]

Is the website up and running or it’s just not working for me? the page doesn’t load to proceed for payment :(

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

@@behnamrahmdel Hi Behnam, that's a bit strange. Patreon is a poplar website so it should work. I have found that sometimes using a different browser solves these types of problems. Try using either Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Brave for example and see if that works. 😊

[@behnamrahmdel]

Hi Sam, I tried both Safari and Chrome, neither loads the page. I’m in Canada but it shouldn’t be the reason! Will try tomorrow. I just got to know you. I feel so lucky to find you... You’re an excellent artist and teacher :)

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

@@behnamrahmdel Hey Behnam, thank you for your nice comment, glad you are enjoying the videos. Thanks for subscribing to me on Patreon as well, your support is very much appreciated. Did the payment system work ok in the end? It might have been a glitch with the Patreon website. I'm editing October's Patreon video at the moment, it's going to be a good one 😊

[@behnamrahmdel]

Hi Sam, The payment glitch resolved. I'm a member now ☺️ I started to enjoy and learn from full videos. It's amazing 👌Thanks for lessons.🙏🏼 I hope to visit NZ (and you) one day... Who knows? Behnam

[@pauldow1648]

For me , a beginner I like the spoken words of your thoughts as you go about creating the painting.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you very much 😀

[@AndrewTischlerArt]

Excellent video mate! Loved it :)

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks mate 😊

[@vladimirorlov2375]

@@SamuelEarpArtist 🙂🤔👀👍🖌🎨🎨🎨🖼🏞⛰🏔

[@josevalenzuela72]

Gracias por compartir. Me gustan mucho tus óleos. Un saludo desde España.

[@annesaffer629]

Nice Clouds, Sam!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you so much Anne 😊

[@johndoe-lw1xo]

My favorite KZbin artist!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks John, much appreciated 😊

[@ernestkirkland442]

I love the way you explain your process and give reasons for your design. Love the painting! AWESOME!!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you so much 😀

[@MrSilva960]

like it , good painting !

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@jotaalmeida7641]

thank you!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

You're welcome! 😊

[@milurosas2054]

Fabulous Samuel;👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🔝🔝

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@isabellefoubert785]

Super j'adore

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😀

[@everawlick9172]

Thank you Samuel for sharing your knowledge. I learn so much every time I watch your show. Eve

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Eve, glad you are enjoying the videos 😊

[@happychipmunk8]

Thank you for another amazing video Sam! I bought your painting videos and they are brilliant! The best art teacher I have ever come across!! Your teaching style is clear, easy to follow and to the point. Thank you so much! Please release another one soon 😊.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you so much Autum, really glad you like my videos 😊

[@jeaninecutting7741]

Thank you for sharing. Beautiful work.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you! Cheers 😀

[@pattywickson9046]

I like the way you don't muck around too much with perfecting details. Just get it done.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Ashley. I like detail in painting but I think too much can spoil the composition and make the painting look lifeless. I think looser brushwork makes the painting look more dynamic and alive 😊

[@pattywickson9046]

@@SamuelEarpArtist yer thanks for your reply mate. Keep up the great work. Love seeing your paintings. I watched your painting with Andrew in New Zealand. Loved the way you capture the scene quickly, without mucking around too much. Cheers to ya.

[@panospetas6858]

my friend, it is a master piece.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@panospetas6858]

@@SamuelEarpArtist I wish you the best m frient. ..kiss from Greece ...☺😊😀😙😙😙😗😗😗

[@jeffhreid]

Sam another great video! What especially came through to me in this video is how beneficial it is to be methodical. To set the stage for the highlights by laying in undertones so that the highlights show. The atmospheric perspective really shines through. Top notch.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Jeff, yes having a methodical approach definitely helps for a more successful painting. There are lots of ways to approach a painting but this is what works for me. 😊

[@knoxfinch3137]

Love the project

[@philipdown3147]

Samuel Thanks for sharing your amazing talent, I find your videos easy to understand with your inspirational calming approach to follow. Thanks greatly appreciated stay safe

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you so much 😊

[@lynnjeffries7525]

HI Sam, I lost my mum earlier this year and amongst her possessions was a set of artists acrylic paints, ive never used acrylics before but it seemed a shame to give them away so I thought id give them a go as I love landscapes and seascapes, ive watched dozens of videos on youtube on the subject and havent yet found that many artists whose work I would like to emulate, then I came across your channel and even though you use oils I really like your work and the way you explain everything and its really helped my painting so im watching avidly, I would like to try oils for the easier blending but im asthmatic and i have pet parrots so id be a bit concerned about paint fumes so im sticking with acrylics but its interesting how the principles of painting can be applied to both media

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hi Lynn, sorry to hear about your mother, losing a parent is not easy and believe me I know what it is like. Great that you have started painting, I hope you are enjoying it. The downside of oil paints is the smell, especially using solvents, however have you might be interested in water mixable oils, you can thin the paint with water and clean your brushes with washing up liquid and water. The clean up is easier and there are much less smells. You can paint all the art works featured in my videos with acrylics as well. 😊

[@lynnjeffries7525]

@@SamuelEarpArtist aha! i was just looking at water mixable oils too i may give them a whirl but im starting to enjoy the acrylics now so im looking at additives and mediums for them. I love watching your videos and im learning, I even sold a picture a few weeks ago it was only a try out thing but a lady really liked it and offered some money for it which i promptly gave to charity!

[@colettewise1306]

That is great to see Andrew commented. I thought I bet you know each other. Wonderful video. I worked on it today but, did have trouble with the rocks in the front. Thank you Love your work.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Colette, yes Andrew and I have known each other for years, in fact he mentored me for a while and I helped him run two plein air painting art tours in southern New Zealand in 2016 😊

[@biancatyler1098]

Love the clear instruction of what you are doing and why. As a beginning painter this is so immensely helpful!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Bianca, glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@nathaliepeignieux4349]

Je n'ai qu'un seul mot à dire "magnifique" 👍👏😍 merci pour le partage 💋💋💋

[@seventhsun1]

Thank you for the video Sam!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@devaunmartin3953]

Very helpful thank you!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@salvathijazi431]

Thanks so much, I was waiting for this lesson

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@banisarkar411]

This is my first time watching of your video. It was educationally quite good. I would love to see some more videos,please.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Bani, I’ll be making many more videos 😊

[@pjd2709]

Very beautiful pinting, Samuel, it is just like looking at the real thing, thank for sharing, you are deffinatley a master at what you do! Awesome!!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you, glad you are enjoying my videos 😊

[@joanzahra5679]

Excellent teaching video!!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks 😊

[@jackiegarroutte8970]

Thank you Sam! Awesome tutorial...beautiful painting

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Jackie 😊

[@jerryjohnson4013]

Well done. You explain well.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Jerry 😊

[@artistglyn]

Great video Sam. I can see Andrew has had an influence on your presentation, but you've got your own stamp on it. Great work. You've really captured that wild windy feel that you get around Wellington.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Glyn, yes Andrew and I have been friends for many years and he mentored me a few years ago so he taught me some his painting techniques. He's a great guy and a brilliant artist. 🙂

[@redbeard365]

Amazing!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Kris 😊

[@nuriaserraarque4643]

Fantástico, gracias.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@angelakarter6269]

I love your channel Sam! Clouds are very difficult for me and your video was extremely helpful! I would love to see more videos on clouds and rocks, as i have a blob problem with both....thank you, you are mega talented! You are appreciated!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Angela, I will definitely be making more videos on clouds, stay tuned 😊

[@JackRainfield]

Awesome painting and instructions!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Jack 😊

[@WatchableWildlife]

Thank you - nicely done and explained - new to your videos!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Awesome, thank you and welcome aboard 😀

[@cathyhunnnicutt2349]

Just absolutely Amazing and Beautiful. Samuel you have a talent that is a gift from God.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Cathy 😊

[@cecivicente5851]

Espectacular!!!! Te admiro

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Ceci 😊

[@donettesaunders-pretorius1312]

This is a great video.!you explain the steps so well! also the thinking behind it!thank you so much! I learnt a lot 👏👏

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Donette 😊

[@isaachemson3065]

Isaac_painting here from instagram, This video was unreal, explained clear and detailed and super engaging. Very keen to binge study all your videos! Big thanks Sam!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Isaac, glad you liked the video 😊

[@monicagonzalez445]

SOS UN GRANDE

[@debbiesheridan3334]

Fabulous Tutorial xx very inspirational Sam! lots of love debs in Spain

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Debs. Greetings from New Zealand 😊

[@susantownsend5314]

✨ Thanks for sharing ✨

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Susan 😊

[@karendarton7251]

Hi Sam, loved this video. Thank you for all you do. You are a really great teacher. Look forward to more wonderful videos.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks so much Karen 😊

[@emilypowersart6822]

Amazing painting!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Emily 🙂

[@brenita50]

Great video. You make it look easy. Your explanation regarding where to start painting - shadows in clouds and then moving forward = is mosthelpful.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks, glad you found the video helpful 😊

[@leighwilsonartist]

Great tutorial Sam👍🌟

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks mate 😊

[@ClariceAust]

Great video, Sam. :)

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks! 😃

[@joaodooneves5119]

Parabéns! Está muito bom!...

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 🙂

[@PaintingWithSamir]

I like it 👍

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 😊

[@burak5601]

What a coincidence, I was looking for a tutorial just like that! I was struggling to find a detailed demo of oil painted clouds, this helped a lot. You are a gift to us artist community Samuel, thank you sooo so much for sharing your knowledge. It means a lot to me, you just saved my painting hehe :) Also, I’m having trouble with painting foggy landscapes, like slowly and gradually disappearing trees in a distant mountain behind clouds and fogs, or an atmospheric scene where shades and edges slowly blend in background. I would be really grateful if you could make a video about that. Thank you in advance! :)

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Burak! Noted! I painted a foggy / misty scene en plein air a few months ago and I thought I should do a studio painting of it and make a KZbin video on it. It’s in the bank! 😊

[@jytte47]

wkilson bickford misty landscape kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJTOmp2iprJphNU

[@vernonsaayman9741]

Sam i enjoy your videods immensly.of all the fine artsts ive watched,yours are my ultimare best,i study them over and over.letd have some mote ed payns style tutorials.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thank you so much Vernon 😊

[@IGFineArt]

Wow, this is amaznig art, old school my friend, it is a master piece...🖼👏😊👌👍🙂🖌🖌👍🏻

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks. I love old school art especially the works of those 19th century landscape painters, they’re my main inspiration 😊

[@IGFineArt]

I respect your art very much my freind, just go on...🙂👏😊👌👍🖼🖌

[@arqclovis5606]

Excelente vídeo, gratidão pelos ensinos, gistaria que fossem traduzidos para o Português do Brasil... mas, assim mesmo é ótimo

[@ganjajay]

Sam, you have really cleared things up with regards to painting the darks first. I didn't realize there were three different "tiers of depth" (clouds, headland and foreground) of darks and shadows. I am also intrigued how you use the same colors for the darks to establish harmony throughout the painting. Do you use natural or synthetic bristle brush?

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Jay, there was three tiers of depth in this particular painting but there can be more or less depending on what you’re painting. I try and use similar colours throughout my paintings to create harmonious colours (at least I try). For me I found establishing the darks first makes everything easier and I learned this from plein air painting (painting outdoors). I mostly use bristle brushes but I also use some synthetic brushes too. Many of my dagger brushes are synthetic 😊

[@zhiqingli4366]

Thank you very much Samuel! Very helpful. I have watched all your videos more than once. One quick question: when you first painted the clouds, they looked very blue shade. then later, the clouds did not look that blue anymore. is it just illusion or is the difference between dried and wet paints? Thanks for sharing all the videos!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks. I think that might just be my camera distorting the colours a little. My cloud shadows normally have a blue cast to them and they may have looked more blue on the video in the initial stages of the painting as it was next to the burnt sienna under painting. Burnt sienna is a dark orange and orange is opposite to blue on the colour wheel. I can assure you it was the same colour throughout the painting 😊

[@mohameddilmi4925]

hello samuel , what colors to use for your palette ?thank you so much.....

[@Danspokefurniture]

Hi Samuel Love your work. But could I ask if you prime your linnen/Canvas first also. Im about to try and use a non stretched canvas as they take up too much room as you stated! Thanks for your help and you have helped me with my painting so much. And your buddy the Tischler!

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Daniel. The linen I am using is already primed so I just get straight into on it 😀

[@ashleyculver5343]

Hi Sam, cheers for another excellent video. A question for you - is phathlo green a regular on your palette? I'm thinking that perhaps I'm missing a good colour

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hi Ashley, yeah phthalo green is a useful colour and I normally have it on my palette. It’s a great colour for increasing the saturation of greens and it’s great for seascapes too. You’ll only need to use a small amount of it as it’s strong stuff!!! 😊

[@ashleyculver5343]

@@SamuelEarpArtist cool, thanks Sam

[@osvaldor.p2075]

Un tremendo pintor....sin embargo, el idioma nos complica. Podría haber una subtitulación....lo cual entiendo es imposible. Pero nuestro amigo es un excelente pintor y además, entrega de forma desinteresada, sus grandes conocimientos. Lastima que tropezamos en lo idiomatico....igual muchas gracias.

[@tammyhong159]

Thank you Sam for your teachings. I am wondering if you have used water soluble oils and if so, could you possibly give a tutorial on how to use them? I've been using acrylics but I need more blending time and I would love to paint "Alla prima".

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hi Tammy, yes I made my switch from acrylics to water mixable oils back in the year 2004. I’ve been hooked on painting with oils ever since. Water mixable oils behave just like normal oil paints, however you can thin the paint with water and you can clean your brushes with soap and water. I don’t have any water mixable oils at present but I’ll definitely consider making a video using them 😊

[@tammyhong159]

Thank you so much. I am not familiar with using oil because of the solvents.

[@tammyhong159]

Also, I've seen videos where they use water in the beginning and artisan walnut oil for a fatter application and some people only use the water so that makes me confused. I'm truly grateful that you're considering doing a tutorial on this 🙏

[@claygreen4723]

If you paint on a flat canvas does it give problems putting it on a frame? Can it be stretched or will it cause problems? Love your work.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hi Clay, you can definitely put loose canvas on stretcher bars once you’ve finished the painting. So long as you have left a few centimetres excess around the painting the stretching it shouldn’t be a problem. Painting on loose canvas can often be very advantageous 😊

[@terryernest6264]

Cheers Sam ... do you ever use the old dry soft brush on your clouds :)

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks Terry. Yes I do sometimes, I use whatever brush I need that is appropriate to the job 😊

[@artsandcrafts3137]

Hey Sam Do you tell me why you always paint the backround with Brown color after you strate painting ?

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hey Ahmed, toning the canvas with burnt sienna or burnt umber helps with colours and tones. A white surface can be a little distorting to the colours you apply whereas when you have a toned background the colours leap out at you. Also a toned canvas warms up the painting as it comes through the paint layers and it gives the painting a traditional look. Old historical painters used to do this. I remember seeing a landscape painting by Constable in the National Gallery in London and you could clearly see his understanding 😊

[@artsandcrafts3137]

Now I understand why Thank you so much Sam

[@colettewise1306]

oh I have a questin I do not have yellow oxide. What is a good substitute that I may have?

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hi Colette, you can use yellow ochre instead, both colours are very similar 😊

[@debbygregorash7691]

watching you paint the clouds and because you are using oils, you can mix the cloud shadows with the lighter white. I can't do that with acrylic because it dries so fast. I have to mix a middle value and apply it. Not happy with results. Maybe I should use a gloss medium when I try to paint clouds?

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Hey Debby, it has been a while since I painted with acrylics but I can understand the issue you are having. Part of the reason I switched to oils was because I was finding that acrylics dried too quickly, but when I switched to using oils I was pleasantly surprised to discover how easy oils are to paint with. With regards to painting clouds with acrylics I have heard you can get mediums that slow down the drying time, maybe this could be the answer as it would buy you more time to blend the colours for the clouds 😊

[@19casper61]

Do you work from a photo or picture? I think it would be of some help, for beginners as i am, if you could show them. Then I know where you're going from the start. Thanks for the video's They really are inspirational.

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

In this particular case I worked from photos but I often paint landscapes en plein air first and use those as reference as well as photos. I have written a blog post to go with this video: www.samuelearp.com/new-blog/2020/2/8/how-to-paint-clouds

[@alexanderroland6706]

Samuel Earp Artist

[@jimx3345]

Great painting …talk too much …

[@SamuelEarpArtist]

Thanks 🙂

[@connieturner1911]

No you don’t. It’s just right.