Using Gradated Washes to Paint Skies

     This entry was originally posted on Friday, April 6, 2012 

Cattle Point Sunrise

7x10"

 Layering (also called glazing) your gradated washes make a fabulous sky.

Start with your lightest color first (usually yellow).

Then layer other colors on top of that color.

Allow each color to dry before layering the next color.

 

In Cattle Point Sunrise, I first did a gradated wash of yellow from the lower third portion of the painting and gradated it out to the top. Next I added my red just above the yellow, allowing it to gradate out the top.

Last, I added my blue at the top and washed it out toward the bottom.

Morning Illumination

Morning Illumination

11x15"

   If you sign up for my newsletter or saw my promo video for the free course, then you know that I moved to Northeast Washington this past June, just north of Spokane near the Canadian border. My fiancé and I are building a home and studio on a lake. It is a beautiful area with so many painting possibilities. 

   Sunrise over the lake is different each and every day and I love watching it every morning. I did this painting a few months ago but failed to post it until now. Morning Illumination is the view from the front room of the house, which is also where my temporary studio is located while we build the actual studio. My studio will still be located with a view of the lake, just beside the house. 

Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Scarlet Illustration

Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Scarlet Illustration

Two of my favorite colors when combined are cobalt blue and cadmium scarlet. The combination makes for a beautiful sky color, with using pure cobalt higher in the sky and then warming it up with the cadmium scarlet as it moves towards the ground.  I have an illustration of this mix in my book. 

This is the painted version:

And this is the photo: