Today I would like to talk about one of the biggest problems that people face when trying to paint large, white clouds over a blue sky.  We start off with a soft blue sky, usually this is not a problem at all. Next, the Fan, Filbert or 1 inch Brush is loaded with Titanium White (and sometimes just a hint of red or blue to soften the color).  Then we go up to the canvas eager to see our beautiful clouds "flow out of the brush", but all we get is a muddy, blue-white mess. No white, soft clouds. All we get is a big smudge of paint!   

I have heard of (and experienced) this problem many times..... and here is how you fix it. 

1. Identify the problem. I would say that 95% of the time the problem is not with the white, but with the blue. Avoid making the sky so heavily covered with paint that it is impossible to paint anything on top.  

2. To fix this problem, wipe the entire sky with a paper towel working from the light bottom to the darker top of the sky. Do this a few times, using a clean towel each time. Notice that the painting will be about the same value as before you started wiping. The canvas is stained with the blue.

3. Test to make sure that you have enough paint removed. This is very easy. Look at the canvas, if you see the "texture, or weave" of the canvas, then you probably have the right amount of paint down. Also you can rub your finger on the sky, if almost no paint comes off, then you have a good amount of paint.

4. Repaint the clouds. Now you should have no problem creating white, large clouds, because there is simply not enough blue on the canvas to interrupt the bright white color.

Extra tip:  Always make sure your brushes are not the problem... I have made the same brushes I use available to the public! Click here to see them.



For many helpful tips and explanation on Clouds, Trees, Mountains and Water check out my line of "Techniques Series" DVDs.  http://paintwithkevin.com/

I hope this has made your painting experience more enjoyable.