Painting Skies in Watercolour - When Sky Meets Land

In this video, I show you how to paint successful skies in watercolour, with a focus on what happens when sky meets land. Understanding the relationships between these two landscape elements is important and I show you some simple exercises that will help you to understand this, especially how to avoid clumsy and awkward transitions at the horizon by managing your edges when you combine different washes.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
02:38 - Painting over the horizon
08:48 - Soft edges
10:49 - Broken edges
14:43 - Soft + hard edge combo
22:03 - Painting into the horizon
27:29 - Managing complex boundaries
38:38 - Similar tones
45:44 - Summary notes
47:04 - Outro + message from me

[@khrisabuid4315]

I get annoyed when I think of all the time I have wasted watching tutorials that taught me nothing, and then I found these!!!!

[@attadudepc]

Not only are you a talented artist, you're an excellent teacher as well. It takes a special type of person to accomplish what you've accomplished.

[@elsagrace3893]

I envy Oliver’s children. To have a grounded, solid, patient, caring parent, probably parents. A healthy start and support throughout their lives.

[@paintingdrawing8935]

My God Oliver, I hope you read this. you just cleared up so much for me with your watercolor gold dust statement. This has been a longstanding problem for me and I wasn’t even aware of it! This is life changing for my paintings. Gold dust indeed. Thank you sir!

[@sinydedeugd6989]

Oliver, it's so nice to be able to watch tutorials where painting is done in real time! It is so easy to follow and you are clear with beautiful examples. I have found great treasure in your lessons. Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!🙏☺

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you Siny - you're very welcome

[@marypaulic6528]

This lesson was very helpful. I've been struggling with this issue, and your explaination makes perfect sense. Thank you!

[@darnissar]

This is simply charity...parting away with the techniques that can help millions to enrich their paintings. I salute you Mr. Oliver Pyle!

[@normaneames5901]

Thank you. You have made me think before I start rather than impatiently rush into a painting.

[@attadudepc]

Olly, you are a most talented teacher/ instructor. Your teaching method is extraordinary as is your ability to communicate.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Really appreciate that Paul - thank you.

[@huguettegabrial478]

I love to listen to you explaining those exercises I learned a lot more from you than anyone else. At 81 it’s about time for me to learn the right way to paint thanks to you. Thank you.watercolour

[@carlospointelin]

También para mí a mis 83. Muchas gracias Olly!!!

[@christinemay9155]

This is a brilliant tutorial. I started watercolour painting last year and couldn't really work out why my paintings always had hard lines instead of merging softly or seamlessly. I was on the verge of giving up and throwing all my painting equipment away. Watching you demonstrate the different techniques and explaining everything so clearly has inspired me to give it another go.

[@JemmaNewman]

Brilliant explanation of edges. It turns a painting into a fun logic puzzle - working out all the layers and edges. Gosh I'm so glad I found your tutorials, my landscapes have improved dramatically with this single change of only defining an edge once. Thank you!

[@fransymes3924]

Such a greatly informative series thus far. Can’t wait for the next video. Thank you so much for your great tutorials.

[@inherjyze1ify]

With your talent and your ability to teach i believe 100 G is quite reachable.

[@lesleyking2815]

Thanks Oliver, these tutorials must take you so long, they’re so appreciated, really instructional and inspiring 😊

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thx Lesley. They do - but they're enjoyable to make.

[@sylviasondermann6342]

Deine Bilder machen glücklich! Vielen Dank!!!

[@Linda-kh6rl]

In all my years of painting i have never seen any Artist explain this. An it certainly has helped me understand your artwork .An you or so good at explaining an taking your time of explaining.Thanks For Your Lesson.

[@EdoHannema-Watercolour-Art]

I am very excited about this!

[@chandramurugaiah4641]

Thank you very much for this wonderful tutorial . I have always had this problem where the two edges meet resulting in unsightly darkened edges from the previous layer. You explained this so simply!!

[@barbararosselot2025]

I’ve only recently become very interested in watercolors. I almost exclusively paint in oils, but already I am acquiring some watercolor paints and brushes thanks to viewing your videos. Thank you so very much for these! They are so informative and it truly seems like magic when I see you paint. Watercolors are so different than oils, but fascinating. They definitely have a mind of their own at times. I’m just sorry I waited to paint until after my retirement almost 10 years ago!

[@Thamesfisher]

Excellent video from you Oliver and your son, watched it twice, just to implant all the information into the little grey cells As Hercule Poirot would say.

[@christinedekeuster7378]

This is just a "pépite" (French word to indicate that sth is really valuable, essential). Thank you a lot for all these technical information, Oliver. You are very generous.

[@williambalogh9293]

You, unquestionably, have the best loose painting watercolor fine art instructional channel, sir. Well done, you.🥂

[@renskee.jellema8697]

Many thanks for this in-depth series on how to paint the sky in watercolour. Oliver, you are an excellent teacher: clear in what you say and what you do, and all this at a relaxed pace, so that it is also easy to follow for the non-native speakers and for beginners. I hope that you are inspiring many to start painting landscapes, a subject that I find to be somewhat intimidating.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you Renske - pleased that the tutorials are helpful

[@wernermaier4835]

Oliver deine Erklärungen sind erste Sahne. Das beste was ich bis jetzt in der Aquarellmalerei gesehen habe. Bin noch Anfänger und suche professionelle tips und Tricks die du mir auf brillante Art und Weise zeigst. Thank you very Match 😊🙏

[@sylviamok675]

Thank you, Oliver. What a great and helpful Video. Greetings from Vienna

[@monalisamackey783]

Thank you Oliver for giving of your time, experience and skill to help all of us who wish to become better at watercolour. I am so happy I discovered you on KZbin! I have vacation coming up over the Christmas holidays and I plan to do a lot of painting and practicing of techniques with the help of your videos 🙂. Have a happy, festive and blessed Christmas! 🙏🏻

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

You're very welcome and thank you. Yes, the holidays are a great time to get the paints out......Merry Christmas to you too!

[@jeffreyhill4574]

You are a good man, Oliver Pyle. Thank you.

[@connielester1641]

This was a fantastic teaching session. Thank you so much! I really appreciate you for sharing these game changing truths and techniques ❣️

[@davidsmith812]

I tried the evening landscape (quartered a sheet and did 4 of them) and it DOES take practice. WOW, did I make mistakes (and LEARN!!)! This was a great exercise. I'll quarter another sheet and try it again and again and again.... :). You were exactly right, sometimes it was WAY to wet, sometimes I had it too dry, they paint was too watery, the paint was too thick, I had back runs and all sorts of issues. But....I LEARNED!! And I gained experience. This is so simple an exercise, as you mentioned, but oh so difficult!! :). Thanks again for you wonderful instruction! Painting on....

[@kathrynoreilly6064]

i love the simple, yet subtle depiction of the tree, thank you.

[@emilymanning2606]

True. Once! That is the magic word.

[@nancymacfarlan5657]

Thank you for your sky series videos. So much information in each video and i'm learning a ton from every video. Lots of practice and then more practice. These are excellent for water control as well. Thank you for your excellent teaching.

[@sylviarogerson7662]

Excellent information - very helpful!

[@bparsons7337]

Just caught up after a Zoom call with friends in the UK - but this is so helpful! It orgainizes the process in a way I have never heard articulated so clearly, and applies to every watercolor painting, whether it's a landscape or a still life or a portrait. Can hardly wait for the next one!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you - pleased you found it helpful

[@edbiggs7168]

What an eye-opener - yes, the series is about skies, but the strategy is what struck me. Thank you for the time and effort you have spent on your videos.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

It's a pleasure. Thank you

[@iwqmaster]

Probably one of your best and most impactful!

[@hasthandlarn]

Thank you so much for sharing all those tutorials with a very nice educational tone. I'm quite sure I finally will make some progress in my painting. Your channel is one of the best, if not the very best, I've stumbled upon. Thank's

[@jennintransit8034]

I had many "aha" moments while watching this! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@efwhitedc]

You, Sir, are a beautiful painter and a superlative teacher. Thank you.

[@justinwr092]

Wow I found these videos at a great time. I've been wadding up failed sky paintings and throwing them in the trash quite a bit lately. This is helping me so much! Thank you!

[@irmareitz701]

Brilliant as usual. Congrats on getting to 50k! Always so chuffed to see another tutorial! Thank you for your generosity.

[@myraegli9974]

It’s so perfect that you are left handed. I’m a lefty or as my Dad used to call me “south paw”. I find your videos easy to follow along with my paintbrush. You provide a valuable resource.

[@mariel1852]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience and knowledge. This video is detailed and precise and really helps to understand the problem of dark circles and raw edges as well as the possibilities of the wash. Continue to give us such advice and it is certain that we will progress for our greatest pleasure. Friendly thought from France...

[@marypartridge5154]

I love the way you teach which is understandable as I get tired of all the American channels with all the talk of mark making and demonstrative hype.

[@HSkyler]

Thank you so much! Excellent and useful tips beyond measure. I will be going over and trying exercises from this and past videos. Cheers!

[@katherineclough1772]

I so enjoy your explanations and ideas you have help us with ! Thank you! Love your videos!

[@susanwilson1276]

Hello from Leeds, West Yorkshire, near the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors, quite close to the Lake District also....lots of inspiration round here 😊

[@Kdogpiper]

"Watercolor gold dust". Made my day. Thanks for adding some great humor to outstanding teaching!

[@laurahopkinsday7338]

I really enjoyed doing these exercises too! Thank you for taking the time to teach this medium to us. I know I'll be watching each and every one of your videos because I have not found another artist that spends as much time teaching as you do. As someone else said previously...you are a treasure.

[@Mail2elr]

Thank you very much for this valuable tips. Pure gold!

[@catap1450]

Thank you for this! Really made me understand my painting and how can it be improved!

[@dianemcgregor6171]

Yes it explained a lot! Thanks Oliver. I'm really appreciating how you teach!

[@asayeed2853]

Another excellent tutorial; a huge thank you as always for sharing your masterful techniques!! Here's to 100k and beyond! :)

[@jeancollier2930]

Brilliant info! Thanks so much, Oliver

[@phyllissmith1105]

Thank you for this video. It was very helpful to me.

[@ritadrake2289]

Such a pleasure to learn from you- and I love that you are left handed since I am too!

[@shaistaaga9295]

Its so simple to understand this tutorial with examples. Thanks Oliver

[@pammcreynolds]

Seven? Awesome! The more videos I get to watch of you teaching the better!

[@yaseminmutluclarke723]

Thank you very much, now i start to understand about sky and edges between sky and land.Thanks to your excellent teaching I really improve my paintings.Tanks again.

[@gountberlin1669]

brilliant! thank you very much

[@ARUNSHARMA-ld6df]

amazing demo Oliver , thank you

[@carolt.7354]

This is an excellent video lesson! These edges are brilliant! Thank you.

[@ChrisHobelArt]

You are the best , no competition, I’m learning so much, no one I know can teach and engage the student better😊 noosa Australia

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Most kind Chris - thank you.

[@ruthfulton2079]

Love this style of painting. Thku for sharing. Must try it myself now.

[@dixieeddy4999]

I so appreciate you and your teaching, thank you!

[@sugarcane9425]

Very helpful and clear understanding. Thks

[@adrianacuevas5688]

You are best watercolor teacher , thank you for sharing

[@chloemaxwell2628]

Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge!

[@lindathaxton1994]

Thank you for the time you take to give us newbies these lessons - it is much appreciated!

[@heatherdavis2579]

So happy to have found you! I've learned so much already and appreciate the quality of your tutorials. I look forward to being a student. Kind regards.

[@christinedrake1645]

you are a great tutor.. amazing painter.. so helpful to me...thank you,

[@artdavisstudios]

Big thank you for this video. So much info in these few techniques. This video points out solutions to some of my largest problems I paint myself into (pun intended).

[@marywilliamson2559]

This video instruction gave me better results and I felt as though I had more control in my watercolor painting. Thanks for your excellent artist input

[@JLWall27]

So very helpful! Thank you, Oliver! With appreciation, Janet

[@cadair4736]

Thanks for this, I learned a lot, super helpful!

[@cockatielnation5425]

Articulate, clearly thought out, addresses problems I didn't even know I had. Thanks for this brilliant video!

[@DaisyIdes]

Hello from the Coast of Maine. I have worked in pastel for about 4 years. I had previously failed miserably in watercolor. I am hoping my working with pastels has helped me to learn about color, and that a new foray into watercolor will be more successful. I have very much enjoyed watching this channel, have understood the theory, and plan to jump in shortly.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Just give it a go and have fun with it - it take patience and experimentation but its a lovely medium to use

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I had similar experience. I love pastels,oils but I cannot leave watercolour despite I m not good at watercolour. However I do enjoy watercolour despite all its frustrations. I love the luminosity, vibrancy, flow of paint on paper that seamless blending ....those effects we cannot get even in oils

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

This channel besides few others is one of the best for watercolour. Others like Mathew white, Louise de masi, Jenna Railey, Michelle Webber and Yong Chen

[@DarkForestAtmosphere]

Good God these tutorials are fantastic. Without the slightest exaggeration, this channel is the best, most detailed, clear, helpful, and enjoyable tutorials I've yet found. Sorry to gush, but honestly, I've paid for classes that are far less helpful/detailed. The patience and attention to detail, the tips, techniques, the knowledge, and obviously a LOT of experience, all shared with the audience gratis (till I am in a financial position to utilise patreon to show my appreciation) is priceless, and so kind, and I am very grateful indeed. Wish i'd found this channel sooner, but now that I have, I feel I've found the proverbial pot of gold

[@sarahjackson8252]

Thanks Olly, brilliant techniques and advice as always!

[@christinefortney3565]

This video is what I have been struggling with. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and skill.

[@nancybrink3701]

Thank you Oliver for a great and thoughtful lesson!

[@heronalvarez3600]

Gracias Maestro! It is a lesson to see several times.

[@Shame-the-play]

Talented painter and teacher - thank you for sharing your art.

[@voliabrandaolaveneremachad7849]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@Jason-hp7cc]

Your paintings are awesome, you are also a very good teacher.

[@lindyhyam1495]

Simply fabulous! Thank you.

[@liaclark2393]

thank you Oliver this kind of demos are what I was looking for , for a long time understanding principals makes it all so much easier , love your work , much gratitude 🎨

[@mikeburton1955]

A tremendously useful explanation and practical demonstration. Thank you so much Oliver. Your videos truly inspire me.

[@lilyo1788]

Thank you Olly Pyle, you’ve stopped me giving up on this glorious unpredictable medium with your ESSENTIAL foundation (not just beginner) series! I’m encouraged to find primaries for the tropics. Really appreciate the generous teaching. Merry Christmas!

[@yunzers]

Brilliant examples thank you.

[@lisabennett5078]

Thank you, super helpful, Oliver. The examples are *great*.

[@deborahamaral8470]

Lovely! Excellent!! A big thank you from Brazil!! 🇧🇷🇧🇷😊

[@TomCatSg]

Can't thank you enough for another enlightening video. Basic concept very well explained. Thanks for helping the community improve! ❤️🙏🏻👏🏻

[@xpsxps1339]

Oliver, thank you! You are not just a great artist; I am not sure whose else's watercolors are so beautifully transparent as yours (I absolutely love your paintings), but you also are a brilliant teacher! You are the only one I subscribed to. I am not a beginner; regardless of that, I learn tons from your context, which you so generously give us for free. (I still cannot believe you are doing so. THANK YOU!) Have you been considering doing the workshop/s? I am pretty sure you would have plenty of followers who would be happy to pay for your plain-air tutorials. Most of us (I guess) are working in our studios which definitely is not the same.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Kind words - thank you. Workshops will come at some point, but other projects are booked in for 2023. Everything has to be juggled with the commitment I have first and foremost to the galleries that represent me in the UK.

[@xpsxps1339]

@@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442, I see. I'm sure your art is in demand, and the galleries you work with represent you well. I myself am a gallerist and started painting after a decades-long break. (You are one of the artists who encouraged me to start again, and I am very grateful.) Also, I honestly admire the transparency of your paintings, especially when you're working with such a limited palette. (I could look at them all day long; they make me joyful.) As an artist, I am far from you, sigh, but I know where I am aiming, lol! It's a long, long journey, and your videos help me progress. There is a high probability I will be in the UK at some point in 2024, so I will hope you decide to do some workshops then🙂. If there, I would love to attend and learn from you. Thank you for everything you are doing for us! And Happy and Successful New Year!

[@johnthulborn4713]

Thanks Oliver for these videos. looking forward to the next one

[@renitalopez9100]

Just found your tutorial and find it very helpful on my watercolor journey. I look forward to watching more.

[@sandrade1734]

Thank you Olly for the time and effort you take to clearly explain your process for painting skies. After watching you I am always inspired to have another go at painting. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Xmas.

[@hotspursam4972]

Super yet again Olly, thanks so very much

[@patriciaharris8213]

Thank you so much for a brilliant and much needed informative tutorial for us beginners. Much appreciated.

[@thewanderess]

Thanks Oliver! You've been really helpful.