How to paint clouds

Over the last couple of blogs you have been introduced to some of the paintings created by Australian artist John Pickup. His paintings are memorable for many reasons but often what strikes you first are the incredible cloud formations: rising majestically from the landscape.

For those of you who are painting with oils you might like to try one little exercise from John Pickup’s studio. First put some oil paint (in your chosen colours) on a board and then spread mineral turpentine on the paint and see what the resulting image suggests to you. You can play with the paints on the canvas with a palette knife to get different effects. Experimenting and practising are just as important as producing.  

As I like to challenge you on a Thursday I thought I would provide you with an incentive to either start having a go at painting clouds or to improve your ability to paint clouds. Of course if you don't want to either you can just watch someone else painting clouds!  

Today you are going to meet Kevin Hill your instructor. If you're new to watching videos on line click on the arrow in the centre to load the video. If the volume is too low, you can increase the volume in the menu bar at the bottom of the video or increase the volume on your own device (computer or ipad). Apologies for the advertisements. Either just relax and let them pass quickly or sometimes there is a button to click to stop the advertisements. You will find this button above the bottom menu on the right hand side.

Learning to Paint Clouds with Kevin Hill

If you have time, return to the blogs on John Pickup’s paintings and study his cloud formations a little more closely.

John Pickup: Reports of My Demise are Premature and Unfounded

John Pickup Brings Don Quixote to the Australian Outback

If you have time, return to the blogs on John Pickup’s paintings and study his cloud formations a little more closely.