Storm Clouds in Watercolor

Create that 'big sky' feel and dramatic clouds in watercolor with Shelley Prior.
140lb Cold Press Arches Watercolour paper
Squirrel Hair Round brushes (Biaelk)
DaVinci Artist Quality Watercolors
www.shelleyprior.com
shelleypriorfineart
shelleypriorfineart
Shelley Prior Fine Art - KZbin

[@Flux_One]

What a brilliant video. I'd say the best cloud painting demo I've seen on KZbin. I made some notes: Wet paper enough that it's glossy but doesn't have puddles. Use horizontal strokes. Wait a minute or two. Redistribute the water so it's not gathering in puddles when the paper starts to buckle. Use horizontal and vertical strokes. Lightly touch a charged brush on the paper to see what happens. If it spreads too much the paper is too wet. If the paint blooms too much on the surface, blot the belly of the brush to remove excess water. Blot the side of the brush not the tip. When mixing colour, compensate for the fact that it will dry 25% lighter in value so if it's dark on the page when it's wet don't panic. If painting in colour rather than black and white, vary the hues in the paint mixes, so e.g. add pink in the blue for hues towards the light to make it warmer. Some mixes will separate and produce a beautiful result. Paint the clouds first, light to dark, then paint the sky to sculpt the outside shape of the clouds (on another layer). Use soft squirrel hair round/mop brushes. Don't over brush. Work on an area and move on. You can always add a new layer once it's dry. Always ensure the paint is completely dry before adding a new layer. For clouds use u/w strokes and a flicking motion, and follow the shape/volume of the cloud. Hold the brush half way up the handle to make your strokes more organic and less controlled. As the paper begins to dry you must use less water in your brush, otherwise you'll make ugly blossoms. If the paper's too dry in an area that you haven't worked on, spritz it with water. To soften edges, always use a clean brush and blot it on paper before softening th edges. Hold the brush at a 45° angle. Only tickle the edge, don't go into the paint. Rinse, blot, soften. Rinse, blot, soften. After finishing a stage/layer, clean the tape so there's no risk of blooming. Work flat to keep an even distribution of colour Working on a tilted surface would make the top of the paper dry quicker than the bottom. If you're using masking fluid don't use strong heat to dry the paint as you could bake the masking fluid onto the paper. Don't stay in one place when using a heat tool or blow-dryer. Move around the painting. Wait for the paper to cool down. When reactivating the paper with water for a new layer, avoid side to side strokes as that could disturb the dry paint and move it around. A spray bottle is a better choice than a loaded brush when re-wetting the paper. Use a fine mist spray bottle. Hold the bottle about 6-10" away from the surface. Before re-wetting the paper, mix up the colours needed for the ext layer e.g. sky. After spritzing the water over the painting, use a soft clean brush and lightly tickle the surface to remove any unwanted droplets of water. Using a very light touch should not disturb the dry paint. Since you've re-wetted the paper, use less water and more pigment in your brush, otherwise you could create unwanted blooms. You will also have better control with the paint. Use short, light, dancing movements with the brush to carve out the whispy shapes and edges of the clouds. Again, always use a clean brush and blot it on paper before softening the edges. Rinse, blot, soften Rinse, blot, soften Soften all the desired edges before you dry the paint. Respond to what's happening on your paper, rather than being dictated by the reference image. Use a combination of hard and soft edges - ths will make the end result move believable and organic. For the sky, paint a gradation of dark pigment at the top and lighter towards the horizon. This will add depth and richness. Only wet the paper where your going to paint a new layer. It's unnecessary to re-wet the whole surface. Smooth out the water droplets again. Use less water in the brush when adding darker values.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Wow, you certainly did take notes! Thanks so much for watching and taking part in this project. Happy painting! 😊

[@Flux_One]

@@shelleypriorfineart Hehe they were mainly for myself, but thought others may appreciate them 👍

[@SabineLeppanen_Art]

I wish I could copy and paste this!❤

[@Flux_One]

@@SabineLeppanen_Art you can on desktop but not mobile

[@SabineLeppanen_Art]

@@Flux_One thank you! I will try it.

[@c.sueplant3668]

Shelly, this is the best storm cloud painting instructional video I have ever found. Thank you for making this.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks a million Sue. I'm so glad that you enjoyed it 😊

[@BrazenSpirituality]

@@shelleypriorfineart 😊pp😊

[@user-mk9ex5nw3e]

Самое настоящее небо из всех, что я видела! Ваше небо такое драматичное, насыщенное, яркое! Это прекрасно! Непременно попробую написать как вы! Спасибо за вдохновение!

[@lusyanikitina1580]

Вы замечательный художник и превосходный учитель. Спасибо за Вашу помощь. Вы щедро делитесь своими секретами. Для начинающих это так важно. Главное, Вы поддерживаете желание творить. В наше непростое время рисование это, как медитация. Что-то для души. Ещё раз благодарю Вас. С признательностью из России.

[@lorrainemanning3809]

I’m always looking at the sky and wishing I could paint it. Never new how to start let alone achieve a realistic finish. So a big thank you for this tutorial

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad that you found my demo helpful. Thanks so much for watching.

[@mitrajazayeri1863]

Great way of teaching how to paint the sky:) thanks So much!

[@HorstramWieljentic]

My Goodness! God created the earth, but you, with a brush, painted heaven!

[@leonapetite5033]

Wow, you r amazing teacher! And deserve a million followers! ☺️ thank you so much

[@mcdermbr1]

Shelley, you are the absolute BEST watercolor instructor on You Tube and I have learned soooo much from you!! Thank you for these Wednesday videos!! I love them all!!!

[@user-qu3kg7ds4p]

😊Просто приголомшливо! Найцінніше в цьому хмарному уроку-наочна покрокова демонстрація методу виправлення, доповнення готової роботи ,без жодних слідів корекції.Справжня реалістична робота без штучності та вичурної мальовничості!Гріє душу природністю.Я,коли з'явився смартфон та почав малювати пастеллю та аквареллю наробив купу фото для змальовування-з них половина хмарної теми!Багато художників ігнорують ,або викривляють хмарну тему.Ваші хмари-неперевершені!Бажаю здоров'я та натхнення!

[@lizwarner8524]

Very best tutorial and the most beautiful stormy sky painting I’ve seen!!! Thank you soooo much! I’m a watercolor newbie and working on stormy skies - quite challenging!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Liz 😊

[@sharonwills2]

My grandchildren and I paint with you ( 6 of them) Without your online lessons we would never be able to learn as lesson would cost to much. We share our supplies and have fun learning together. Thank you from all 7 of us!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

What a great way to connect with your grandkids. I'm so glad to share this experience with you. Happy painting!

[@hannahstahl848]

Recently found you and I am so impressed. I am looking forward to going back and watching some of your older lessons. Beautiful painting and excellent teaching style. You certainly don’t leave anything out! I have been searching tutorials on painting a storm cloud and this lesson is exactly what I needed. Thank you!

[@annevanderwoude9319]

Thank you for showing me again and getting me over the scare

[@cathyhart2979]

Thank you so much. I’m just refreshing my w/c knowledge to get rid of my rustiness after not painting for many years. I’m retiring and plan to pick up my brushes again. Your tutorial is so inspiring and refreshing and encouraging me. Grateful I found this. ❤🥰

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Cathy 😊

[@bettykropff6192]

I follow every video you post. Learn something new every time even if I have seen it before😊 Melbourne Florida

[@miketurner3065]

I have watched dozens of tutorials on watercolour skies and I have to say that this is the best I have seen. You have a new subscriber. Thank you.

[@michaelcody3829]

Great painting tips thanks Shelley love these clouds, greetings from Australia 🇦🇺.

[@suel4269]

Wow! That’s gorgeous!

[@bushrarehman]

This tutorial is wonderful. I am fascinated by skies but it definitely is a struggle to paint them in watercolours. You have covered so many important things just in the beginning. I am learning so much. Thank you for this. Beautiful work.

[@bushrarehman]

From Pakistan

[@BabsBBee]

This is the best sky tutorial I’ve seen yet. Beautiful painting. Cant wait to give it a try.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That’s so nice of you Bes. I’m glad that you enjoyed it. You may also like this other cloud video that I did (slightly different) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoWneYeLfLdggZo

[@patriciabrugman2136]

Fabulous sky and so much help to what I’ve been trying to accomplish. Thank you! (Now I think I’ll watch it again!)

[@bettyviers8940]

Looking Good! Betty from Huntington Beach, CA USA

[@mikekloepfer7424]

Wonderful! Thank you for this demonstration, you have given me so much helpful information, and advice on what to do - and what to avoid. This helps resolve some issues I have experienced with watercolor, and will save me a lot of frustration. Watching in real time is very helpful, as it shows the importance of patience (which you don't get from a time-lapse video!) And the finished painting is breathtaking! I'm getting ready to put this new knowledge to use, and looking forward to it! If you plan to do any more dramatic skies and clouds, I'd love to see them. :)

[@carolehague]

Love you work beautiful!!!! Thank you, so happy to find you.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m happy that you found me too. Thanks so much for watching Carole. ☺️

[@Anikanoteven]

Oh wow!!! Amazing! For sure one of the best cloud tutorials I’ve ever seen!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Karenina 😊

[@gradydeakin9516]

Oh my goodness! I was looking up cloud demonstrations for watercolor, and this is the best one by far! Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for making this tutorial!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m delighted that you stumbled across my videos Grady. I’m glad that you enjoyed this one. Thanks for watching 😊

[@blende5.693]

great technique, thanks for sharing

[@TheArtGearGuide]

Loved this tutorial absolutely amazing work.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks very much :)

[@scottcarney699]

Fabulous Demo, thanks so much for your instruction ❤

[@skigrommets]

Hi there , not watching this live but on a bright summers day in New Zealand . Love you stormy vibe and teaching ways .Happy New Year to you .

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much and a very Happy New Year to you too. 😊

[@normaneames5901]

Wow, incredibly helpful and stunning painting, thank you.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Norman. I'm glad that you could join in. 😊

[@louisescaini-jojic8660]

best ever and amazing Shelley

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks a million Louise. 😊

[@michaelsaunders7643]

Wow, thank you.best real time tutorial by far. Just learning clouds and water. Will be following in the future!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much Michael and welcome 😊

[@kascialelonek8757]

Amazing video!

[@user-tc8bj8hh3r]

You are so professional !! thank you sooo mutch for showing how you do .. I’v learned à lot .. I will follow in the future 😊

[@ChasingTadpoles]

Beautiful stormy sky! ❤️

[@susyaguero8968]

Qué logrado está tu trabajo!!!! Felicitaciones!!!! Y salud desde Argentina!!!!!el país que es feliz a pesar de todo!!!!

[@lailaal-asad947]

Amazing I love it May God bless you

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Laila 😊

[@totaflorian5866]

FIRST CLASS. CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU ARE A GREAT ARTIST.🙂🙂👍💖

[@shelleypriorfineart]

How sweet of you Tota. Thanks so much for tuning in and for your kind words.

[@lyndaranson1728]

Amazing!! Love it and great instruction

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed it Lynda. Thanks for watching :)

[@adriennesaracen6525]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have never successfully achieved a two stage sky and I’m really hopeful that I could perhaps achieve one now. This is definitely the best tutorial I’ve watched on complex skies.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much Adrienne and I wish you great success with your next sky painting! 😊

[@yayacuculis7929]

This is amazing. I just absolutely love the clouds

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much 😊

[@carolf4413]

Thanks SO much for this inspiring lesson!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad that you like it Carol. Thank you

[@terrilikens4975]

Glad I found you. I'm watching from east of Nashville, Tennessee.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks for joining Terri 😊

[@yakovvera]

Wonderful work♥️

[@annevanderwoude9319]

I like it that you tell us what colour you are you saying I’m still a bit scared to start hopefully I don’t get over it and I keep watching your KZbin thank you

[@juliehopkins5784]

Thank you so much for these sky tutorials. I love taking photos of skies and now hoping to do them justice in paintings. Julie, Melbourne, Australia ❤

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m so glad you are enjoying my demos. Happy sky painting!

[@connidean2592]

This is the first time I've found you on KZbin and I'm so happy I did! Best storm cloud instructional I've seen!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you so much Conni. 🙂

[@pattydriscoll7124]

Such great directions and tips. Thanks!!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Patty. I appreciate your kind words 😊

[@djcarmichael3844]

Have to run. Thank you Shelley for yet another inspirational session

[@michaelsaunders7643]

Wow, I am just learning how to do clouds and water, Your explanation and techniques are really helpful. Thanks so much. Definitely will be following.

[@marceloslomka7889]

The best cloud tutorial I have ever seen! Thank you so much! Regards from Brazil! ☺️😀😃👏🏼🙏🏼👨‍🎨🎨

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That's so nice of you Marcelo. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching! 😊

[@Miastrong930]

Excellent video and an eye openner for me. I have warched many tutorials about landscape watercolor painting. Watching this tutorial made me realize that none of them use perspective in the sky. Typically they use the technique you described, random clouds all about the same size. Definitely no variation between close and far. As a result I never thought about it. It makes a huge difference. Thank you for sharing.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Wilma. I’m so happy that you had a lightbulb moment. I hope your next sky painting is a big success 😊

[@user-kq4rj6pn7f]

I learned so much and your candid relaxed discourse is very appreciated, Thanks Shelley!

[@dianestrickland2685]

fantastic lesson. Thank you so much.

[@inthedeen07]

One of the best demo of cloud painting i have seen so far. Your techniques are helping me so much. Im a little less frustrated with watercolours now. 😊 Thank you

[@nanjohnson6904]

Clouds and skies are so tough. This was a good exercise for me. Although I’m not thrilled with the final painting, I know it’s good to be challenged and I enjoyed doing it. Might tackle it again and see if I can change some of my mistakes. Thanks for a another great tutorial!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Nan. Success on the first try isn’t required but understanding what adjustments are needed is what will get you there with practice. Thanks for watching and happy painting!

[@brendaleetaylor9566]

Shelly, I'm just watching and learning. I don't even have paint or paper yet and am really interested in doing skys so I really enjoyed this and you are the one to learn from! I will be watching everything while I'm waiting for my things to come. So happy I found you.

[@vanessap9124]

I really like your watercolor palette👍🏽

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks! Color Wheel palette by Speedball

[@mlcinlj6065]

Thanks for this session. New painter here. LAKE JACKSON, Texas near the coast.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much and welcome. I hope you continue your watercolor journey. There's so much to discover.

[@nancytipton2640]

Thank you so much for painting storm clouds. I have been working on a cloud series and struggling with stormy clouds. I benefitted so much from your painting demo…so appreciated.😊

[@toeknee2b1]

looks better than the photo!!!!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much Tony 😌☺️

[@VesnaKap-ux3rg]

Thank you for a brilliant demo. I'm watching you from Sweden.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Hi Vesna. Thanks so much for joining my demo. :)

[@mikibishop1516]

gorgeous painting

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much Miki :)

[@tavenchristensen3157]

First time here. 💥I’m from Abbotsford BC CANADA 🤗

[@laituckchong8749]

Best storm cloud I have seen so far👏👏👏

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much 😊

[@barbifreedle8210]

Your clouds look amazing.

[@Thymallus1965]

Thank you Shelley - just found you looking for ways to paint clouds- really good session, that I learned a lot from. Cheers Torben, Denmark

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much for tuning in. Happy painting!

[@djcarmichael3844]

The light undertone really came through after your spray. Very nice

[@carolinasulmona2458]

Shelley, you are a great teacher. I am Happy that I found your Chanel and Will follow you. I am from Italy. Thank you.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much Carolina. I'm glad you enjoy my demos.

[@rhondaporro7116]

WOW!! SUPER IMPRESSIVE TECHNIQUE!! THE END RESULT - FINISHED PAINTING , IS AMAZING 👏 😍!! BRAVO 👏 👏 👏! THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL CONTENT OF YOUR VIDEOS!!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you so much Rhonda. I’m glad that you enjoyed it. 😊

[@Dhsu4321]

Beautifully done!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks very much Dan

[@EileenPostma]

I have learned so much from this video, thank you so much!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m really glad that it was helpful. Thank you 😊

[@TheNeedleneuk]

This is a wonder tutorial, I’m am so glad I found you. I was gifted some Squirrel Brushes and was unsure how to use them, thank you so much for the tips. I use the same hair product 🤩

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Mary :)

[@TC-fq7cy]

You are just greatest. I love this method ! Thank you for the lesson.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you so much Tina. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Happy New Year!

[@TC-fq7cy]

@@shelleypriorfineart Happy new year to you as well.

[@juliomoreirahernandez8660]

Fantastiskt! så skulle jag vilja måla också. Sweden

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much

[@anitaclark2945]

Thank you. I loved the video

[@yunzers]

Fascinating to watch. Thanks so much!

[@inmadelcastillo1126]

Hello Shelly. My name is Inma and I see you from Seville in the south of Spain. I always see you on deferred since my level of English is not very good and so I can see the demo with subtitles. I love your tutorials. Thank you for teaching us your technique and your art.❤️

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thank you very much Inma. 😊

[@user-og2xq3og4m]

Шелли, огромное спасибо за уроки! Я очень рада что встретила ваш канал 💖💖💖

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Большое спасибо. Я тоже рад, что ты нашел меня. ☺️

[@jojomccarthy8345]

Watching from the Texas Gulf Coast. I'm really new to watercolor, but trying to learn from youtube videos. I especially want to learn to paint skies. Too dang hot to go outside after mid-morning. Perfect chance to learn to paint!

[@joys4524]

Thanks, Shelley, this is awesome!

[@nopalakrakthum1713]

Many thanks for sharing this.. I love your suggestion. Will try mine tonight.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks. Happy painting!

[@imsosmart942]

I'm trying to imagine that painting flipped upside down.. still spectacular!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Ismo.☺️

[@joyceenjoy-reading7914]

This is the sky and clouds video I have been looking for!! Thanks for the detailed instruction.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I'm so glad that you found me and that my demo was helpful. Thanks so much for your kind words Joyce.

[@johnsullivan4413]

Hi Shelley. I'm so glad I discovered you today. You're a great teacher!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That's so kind of you John. Thanks very much.

[@alanbruce5429]

just brilliant and so helpful, thanks

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks so much Alan. I'm happy that it helped you. Happy painting

[@nancylemieux8058]

I'm a newbie to painting.... these clouds have great realism! I like the step by step process!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Nancy. I hope the demo helps you.

[@ildikomazan9726]

Great! Amazing! Can’t wait to try it! Really usefull video!

[@Looyslou]

Ce ciel est magnifique. J'aime ce côté dramatique de la scène et la technique employée est très bien expliquée. Merci pour ce moment de poésie !

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Vous êtes les bienvenus Philippe et merci d'avoir regardé ☺️

[@MrConnorsmommy]

This was such a great tutorial. Gorgeous sky!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

I’m so glad that you enjoyed it. Thanks 😊

[@virginiavredeveld7956]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@katechapman3850]

I love attempting skies (newbie) and hands down this is the best tutorial I've seen! Some really wonderful advice here. I'm in East Gippsland, Australia and we have some wonderful big skies here in Oz. Thank you so much Shelley. I'll look out for more.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That’s so very kind of you Kate 🥰 I’m really happy that you enjoyed this tutorial. Thanks so much for watching.

[@Flowing33]

Incredibly amazing art!!! And the best tutorial I’ve ever watched. I love your artwork and your teaching so much!

[@shelleypriorfineart]

That's so kind of you Em. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks very much for watching 😊

[@barbarabonner131]

Great tutorial!!! I am definitely going to try this. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@ourjourneyonpicoisland-car552]

I am so impressed with your painting techniques Shelley, you make this look so easy!! I have seen other videos and honestly your paintings look so realistic. Thank you for sharing your talent with us😊

[@elhel3388]

Thank you so much... spectacular clouds! I never see a better visual about clouds🎉☁️

[@barbarahoglund7841]

Aloha from Hawaii

[@a.rizapahlevi9659]

The clouds is so beautiful... tks

[@agnesb3177]

Thank you for this sky tutorial. I love photographing clouds here in Southern Ontario.

[@shelleypriorfineart]

Thanks Agnes. Yes, there were some gorgeous sky photo opportunities in the last couple of days.