PAINT AMAZING SKIES IN WATERCOLOUR!

This is the first video in a series of six that has been designed to help you paint convincing and beautiful skies in watercolour.
In this video, I introduce you to the subject by looking at The Importance of Skies in Landscape Painting, together with Observing and Understanding Skies. The ideas that I present will provide you with a solid understanding of this essential element in landscape painting, enabling you to develop skills and techniques so that you are ready to paint skies with confidence. I paint two different skies - morning and evening - demonstrating the benefits of a layered approach to skies.
The following videos comprise the series program:
VIDEO 2 - Strategies for Painting Successful Skies and Useful Sky Colours/Mixes
VIDEO 3 - Where Sky Meets Land and Using The Sky to Design Your Painting
VIDEO 4 - How to Paint a Clear Blue Sky and How to Paint Bright, Cloudy Skies
VIDEO 5 - How to Paint Skies at Sunrise and How to Paint Skies at Sunset
VIDEO 6 - How to Paint Stormy Skies and How to Paint Mist and Fog
In this video I mention a link to the Our Landscape Member's Forum - it is free to join and please click on this link if you would like to sign up:
www.oliverpyle.com/forum

[@chloemaxwell2628]

Thank you so much for NOT doing time lapse! So many artists providing tutorials (and believe me I am grateful for anyone who shares anything so generously!) don't show the entire process, and for a new painter, it's really helpful to see every stroke of the brush!

[@nerminekamel9424]

He's awesome ❤

[@barbaraalbert6310]

What an ambitious and generous project!

[@caroleangel9287]

I always select the thumbs up even before I watch your videos because I know I am going to love what I hear. So much great information.

[@elsagrace3893]

Best technique and explanation I’ve come across in 7 years. I finally understand how to build a sky in watercolor. Also your voice and focused attention and delivery helps bring my mind to focus. A sense of calm and focus came over me while watching. Thank you for all.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you Elsa

[@astrobubbers]

I agree. So many KZbinrs giggle and carry on. You know that is all fine and dandy but I prefer the focused approach. It's more conducive to learning. Thank you Mr. Pyle

[@PreetiSharma-sb5qk]

Long awaited vdo

[@pammcreynolds]

I really needed this video. My sky attempts have been awful. I'm glad you don't do the time lapse or the rushed videos I've seen on other channels. You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you so much!

[@softlanding138]

This, for my level is a much more refined level that I can see myself moving into. This is what attracted me to the magic of watercolor in the first place!

[@sandyevans8519]

This was the best video I have watched. I live in an area where there are not formal classes so I depend on videos 100%. Thank you for sharing your art and your techniques, it is greatly appreciated. I look forward to the next video but in the meantime I will be taking pictures of the sky and start practicing.

[@Hiley206]

I returned to watercolor after many years during which I had formal instruction only in oil painting. I am grateful to have found your tutorials. Thank you. I looked for someone to help me paint with brushes not with salt or other silly tricks. I did have to have a come to Jesus moment, though, when I realized that I was learning from a left-hander! I am a right-hander in a family where left-handedness dominates for at least four generations; my ah-ha moment did not take long! I have became more mindful and have had better success. Now, as one of my artist friends reinforces, I am sketching, practicing, sketching, practicing. . . She reminds me, also, that no art school instructor gives formulas for mixes in any medium and demonstrates only briefly before setting students to work on their own. I realized as a poet and emphasized to my students that writing is an act of discovery; similarly, I am enjoying the process of watercolor as both a conscious and unconscious act. Indeed, I told generations of writing students that creativity is messy-just to wallow around for a while. I must take my own advice: allow myself to wallow around for a while with watercolor and restrain from fiddling! Thank you again for being here for all of us.

[@bparsons7337]

This is the first time I've seen a sky painted in multiple washes, and it's totally liberating. Otherwise there is so much pressure to get it right in one pass. Thank you for sharing this!

[@ficheye00]

You are literally the best teacher here on KZbin, and believe me, I've watched a lot of them.

[@dogstarsirius5280]

Excellent video!! You bring the sky to life in a way I have been missing! I love painting watercolor and this will be soooo helpful!! Saving to refer back to bt the way!!

[@anitatison3893]

Aw! Thank you so much for the amazing tutorials. I have always painted in oils and acrylics. I am learning and these video's are Most helpful. Anita, USA

[@Privatenospying]

Most beautiful watercolor paintings I’ve ever seen🙏🏼

[@mattwj77]

Truly an ambitious project. This will be a world-class resource when it's all complete, and I can't believe you're doing all this pro bono. Not only is it great content but you've filmed it beautifully. I'm sure this is the first watercolor tutorial I've seen in 4k (my monitor probably can't even process that much detail). Grateful!

[@juliabehar4229]

Thank you Oliver! I love how you illustrate your teaching points with clear examples in your own paintings. I just discovered a book that I am finding so inspirational. "Fill your watercolors with nature's light" by Roland Roycraft. Unfortunately he has passed away so there will never be a way to learn from him the way I am learning from you. Makes me even more grateful to have found your videos. Thank you for all the time you generously give to us newbies:)

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you Julia. I don't know this book - it sounds great. I'll have to look that one up.

[@stevec-b6214]

Clear, concise and compelling! I am inspired to improve my skies, instead of the usual quick wash, relying on the landscape to give all the interest.

[@attadudepc]

Oliver, each time I watch one of your videos I come away with two very important things. 1) You give good, clear instructions on how to paint. 2) You also educate the viewer from a knowledge base that covers a lot of subjects. This plethora of knowledge covers aspects that most people wouldn't even consider as far as the painting is concerned. Oliver, you are a magnificent artist and an amazing teacher. Keep up the good work.. and thank you.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

That's very kind Paul - thank you.

[@robertaustin6538]

Excellent video

[@pierrecuenca6378]

N étant pas anglophone je tiens néanmoins à vous remercier pour toutes vos vidéos et en particulier pour celle ci qui inaugure une série qui va beaucoup m apprendre et me faire progresser. Vous êtes généreux formidable et un grand artiste avec beaucoup de classe 🏡🇨🇵

[@isabellepanaget2961]

Merci, Oliver,pour vos belles explicationsj'ai mal au bras en ce moment et il m ' est difficile de peindre mais je perfectionné ma compréhension de l’anglais grâce à votre disponibilité bienveillante, mais ce n’est pas toujours facile à 64ans . J’aime eaucoup vos tableaux. Merci encore.

[@user-bz8eb2cw9z]

Thank you,Beautiful Work,I Love it❤

[@marinabontempelli6178]

I'm Italian, thank you for your beautiful British English, I understand everything! ☺️

[@Arte_e_design]

Me too 😊

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks so much and @cinzia - delighted to hear that.

[@marinabontempelli6178]

@@Arte_e_design ciao Cinzia, di dove sei?

[@junefellows37]

Thank you for this video. You have given my brain cells a work out here!. Now I will observe the skies left to right and top to bottom and practice seeing and painting in layers.

[@MB-kf3yx]

Thanks for the insightful discussion on light in the sky and on the landscape and how to capture it when painting in watercolor.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

You're very welcome

[@stevethomas277]

Fantastic advice here. I could not figure out how to donate a small sum of money for your efforts though. Is there a tip jar feature in you tube? I know it’s free but would like to give you something towards the production of the videos as they are invaluable.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

That's very thoughtful Steve - thank you. Of course, the thought is always more important......divert the money to your art materials fund instead!

[@poppyburns3807]

This is so wonderful. Really helpful. I will be watching this several times. Thank you for this.

[@Sidweddingphotos07]

So wonderfully explained. The only thing remains is to actually practice this now!

[@kelseywood174]

I adored this video. Thank you so much for generously uploading this fantastic series about watercolor skies!

[@consueloyoung4484]

Hello Oliver, first time to your channel (courtesy of Jenna Rainy). I very much enjoyed your talk on clouds, I am also new to watercolor painting and clouds have confused me. The way you broke them down, not to mention the tone and softness of your voice, have given me a new understanding of the layering of color as well as the affects light source has on color. Thank you Oliver and happy new year to you!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Welcome - and thanks to Jenna for that. Pleased the video helped.

[@taheraakter4477]

Precious lesson

[@MaryShelsby]

Another amazing video Oliver. I'm sure these video's take plenty of time to create but I can't wait for the next one. Thank you.

[@mahirakhan-rea9625]

This was terrific! First time I have ever tried landscape and was thrilled at what I learned. love the exercises!

[@beechhouse1298]

Thank you, I will be sharing with others.

[@trillian8]

This is the lesson I've been needing! Thank you, Oliver!

[@clairemurray3202]

Oliver; this is the very best explanation I have heard. The penny just dropped! Suddenly, I get what I need to do. Many, many thanks for your brilliant observations and beautiful paintings which demonstrate those explanations. Im eagerly looking forward to the upcoming episodes.

[@yvonnegeelen6571]

I am now going to look at sky’s in layers great information

[@nationalheritagenaturepark6651]

How kind of you to share your life and art with us. Gentle teacher! Thank you, Oliver. Your keen observation regarding how the light transitions in intensity across the skyscape, and then watching you transform this practically on paper is the best instruction I have watched. Kind regards Keith

[@maryvernau9500]

Thanks so much Ollie! You are a brilliant teacher! 🙌👏❤️👏

[@TT-fn1xb]

Your generosity really astounds me. You teach in a comprehensive manner. It really helps people like me who learn at a gentler pace. Thank you.

[@lisalindberg9980]

Love this! You explain your subject so well. Thank you, looking forward to the series.

[@robyncutts628]

So exciting, a whole series of videos to look forward to! I love learning from your videos, they are so helpful and clearly explained. Thanks very much for your time and effort.

[@teachercaz]

Beautiful! Before we moved to Canada my husband and I lived in Sussex so I find your Sussex scenes very nostalgic, and many years ago, during a rare hot and dry English summer, we had a wonderful camping trip to Dorset so I was mesmerized by all your paintings of our favourite spots in that stunning area of the south coast. I’m a watercolour painter and teacher, but I always learn something new and helpful when watching your videos. Thank you.

[@stevethomas277]

So looking forward to this.

[@sinydedeugd6989]

A huge THANK YOU for this clear and wonderful video!😊👍

[@JulesFree]

Olly, I’ve spent weeks searching far and wide looking at watercolour skies, and yours are the best. Dramatic or subtle, your skies are a thing to behold. Lest anyone wonder if I’ve seen Sergei Temerev’s skies, yes I have, and they are beautiful, but I prefer yours.

[@artdavisstudios]

Another brilliant video Oliver. The demo part is amazing but also just hearing you go through some of your paintings and explaining your thought processes and intent is so helpful and inspiring.

[@lindadudman1624]

Water colour skies are so hard to do and often spoil quite a good painting , this has been a very informative video . I look forwards to putting this new gained knowledge into practice , thank you .

[@TheBradycardia1]

Thank you. Such a detailed description of painting skies

[@dlillianb1368]

Yes, this is very helpful. I’ve always struggled with skies. Thank you!

[@nujsarisuta8748]

First time I got the sky so beautifully painted. Thank you so much for the explanation in such a detail to understand better.

[@pennyupson6000]

Amazing video! So incredibly helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@nancybrink3701]

I'm looking out my window now and see the layers....excellent teaching Oliver. I've never painted the sky in layers. It's always been a quick wash. Thank you for your great instruction and I look forward to this challenge

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Nancy - you won't be able to stop seeing them now!

[@Sherlock2022]

Great advice. Not many books or tutorials cover this well. I found myself looking at the early morning sky and noticing the transition of colour from one side to the other. Thanks again.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks David - it's an important transition to include for side-lit scenes

[@sherrikent6628]

I’m so thankful for a new video, I’ve watched your others multiple times😂❤❤❤

[@suel4269]

Thankyou! I need help with skies and yours are beautiful.

[@damienkearns3654]

How great to see a new video from you pop up...and it's a series!!! Thanks so much 🙏 Properly looking forward to watching this on the TV and taking it all in.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thx Damien - enjoy it!

[@jesussantiagostudio]

Thank you for taking the time to make this and your other videos.

[@erikdsalvesen]

Thanks, Olly. What a great introduction to painting skies, and I cannot wait until the next one "drops", as they say. Cheers!

[@Marimhage]

Thank you Oliver for this very useful tutorial. I tried your way to paint skies and can already see how your way of painting then in two or three layers will help me to improve my painting.

[@rebeccalyons1327]

Amazing. I learned so much.

[@maryloueppard425]

Thank you very kindly for your generosity and wonderful teaching skills. Sebastian, Florida

[@The_Supernatural_Life]

Thanks very much for these videos! I'm looking forward to watching all of them and incorporating your teaching into my watercolors!

[@cathyl8344]

Love your videos. Learnt a lot from the trees painting from your previous videos. Thank you a lot!

[@pauline3379]

Great tutorial Oliver, I can't wait for the next video 😁

[@robinleech3278]

This tutorial is wonderful! I always look forward to your videos, but this new series sounds great - it'll be so helpful! Many thanks!!!

[@paul-oram]

Great stuff. Wonderful examples, looking forward to the next one.

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Cheers Paul

[@bpacarro8419]

Such an invaluable lesson. Full of inspiration, instruction, and insight. Thank you much.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Even though I'm not a watercolour enthusiastic....I extremely enjoy your explanation of the art...it's useful to any medium 🙏 thank you

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Pleased to hear that Sujanith

[@ermalbino7715]

Thank you Oliver! Very helpful and useful. Understanding the anatomy of skies is essential. It is not something easy to grasp. It has been really helpful. After such understanding, one can approach skies with far more confidence. There is a pattern in almost everything. Please keep posting. Thanks again

[@daleshawn1910]

I want to live in your paintings❤

[@debbieabruzzini7004]

I can't believe you are doing these wonderful indepth videos for us. Thank you so much for your time and generosity!!

[@worldofcolors9470]

Simplifying such a complex topic at best 😊 you know how to build a beginner's confidence. Thanks for your time and effort🙏

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

It's a pleasure - thank you.

[@colleenbenevedes566]

Thank you for taking the time instead of rushing through. I'm learning to look at skies in a different way!

[@astrobubbers]

I just found your KZbin channel. You are an awesome artist. Thank you for sharing tips and how you do things.

[@elainevechorik2171]

Looking forward to this!

[@terrydevries914]

So useful and helpful. So appreciative!

[@jadziaxj]

Thank you so much for this top notch quality lesson! Cant wait for the part with sunrise!

[@christinefortney3565]

I just discovered your channel thanks to another artist who recommended you in a video she did for 2023. So thrilled to have found you since your videos are well done and love your work. Thank you so much!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Christine - and welcome. It was kind of Jenna to make the referral

[@carolsteptowe7571]

Thanks so much Olly, I really enjoyed this video and learnt a lot, looking forward to the next one! 😃

[@andystacey4760]

Thanks Oliver, makes more sense for me now.

[@melindaavila498]

I am looking forward to this series. You packed a lot of informative tips into this first tutorial.

[@Barbara-ex3ge]

Thank you so much for another great video. I find the background information and explanations so meaningful and really help me understand what I need to try and reflect.

[@lindakeough2423]

I love your art! I have learned a lot from your tutorials and this one is very helpful! I have had trouble with skies so I’m so excited that you are doing this series! Thank you!

[@lisabennett5078]

Oooh, ooh, I'm looking forward to this, Oliver! Thank you! I live in a place with gorgeous skies, very close to the ocean with some amazing cloud formations and I've wanted to know how to represent them in watercolors.

[@tezoodle]

I really enjoyed this video Olly - you can always count on your easy to understand delivery and great advice. The last sky was just sheer genius - an 'aha' moment for me! Thank you 😃

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Terri - it's not conventional, but there are some real benefits to painting skies in stages, when done carefully

[@tezoodle]

@@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442 I can definitely see the advantages! 😃

[@jingzhao007]

When I heard there are going to be 6 (long, detailed , quality) videos (like all other videos here) in total to teach us how to draw SKY, I am like YES!! This is really generous knowledge sharing and beginner/student orientated! I am so glad that I started exploring water colour with your videos! Thank you again Oliver!

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thanks Jing - you're welcome

[@patriciaharris8213]

Just wonderful. I learned a lot, thank you very much.

[@pastryqn]

Oh my Goodness, your paintings are absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been playing with watercolours but not very successfully, so I thought I’d look up some KZbin videos to see if they would help. And i found you. I’ve just spent the afternoon looking at your videos and doing some colour mixing charts. I know I will improve my watercolour painting by watching your tutorials. Your teaching method is brilliant. Thank you so much for these wonderful videos.

[@leilaperikala3944]

Thank you so much for tutoring the beautiful landscape painting and the wonderful tips for mixing colours 🥰💐🙏🙌🥂❤️

[@sarahjackson8252]

Thanks, some really helpful strategies!

[@joannethomas361]

Thank you Olly, I love the way you take the time to really explain the process. Understanding light and shade, and warm and cool colours is clearly vital to producing great paintings like yours. Looking forward to the next video!

[@martinpettinger]

Thank you Oliver an excellent video .

[@sabellablake7832]

Thank you Oliver!!This video had been very clear your explanation about the color in the sky. I am fanatic of color in the sky and clouds, I will wait the next video with anticipation.

[@carolwilliams3599]

You are an amazing teacher and artist! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos.

[@dorothywicks9271]

Thank you so much for this video and i look forward to the next one. You are such a great teacher and its great how you explain the layers in nature. Makes me more observant. Love all your paintings .

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thx Dorothy - yes, keep an eye out for those layers

[@khanzwarta6180]

Beatifull picture

[@seemanath859]

Like your way of teaching - observation is the main factor and then putting it one's own way... thank you so much for such an wonderful live video and explaining each steps.. these are very helpful and food for thought before jumping on colors

[@shannlakho561]

Beautiful video Olly❤️ Really looking forward to more tutorials. Love your painting style and techniques. You are a fantastic teacher. 😊. Shanna

[@oliverpyle-ourlandscape4442]

Thank you Shanna

[@meenapardeshi5860]

Very nice videos. I learned a lot from your detailed videos.Also I have signed up for open forum also. Thank you very much Sir!