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Acrylic Painting Tutorials

How to Paint Clouds and Sky with Acrylics – The General Model

Learn how to paint clouds and sky using the general model. This lesson focuses on value relationships, color mixing, and atmospheric design.

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

Robert Joyner | Garage Studio Artist & Art Educator

— 3 min read
How to Paint Clouds and Sky with Acrylics hero image

Painting skies and clouds starts with understanding the general model — how value, color, and atmosphere work together. This simple framework helps you design skies that feel believable without overcomplicating them.

This lesson is part of the Acrylic Landscape Painting Fundamentals Course

Understanding the Sky’s Value Structure

Before diving into cloud shapes or color, it’s important to see the sky as a gradual value shift.
The lightest values appear near the horizon, and as you move upward, the sky deepens toward cooler, darker tones.

Think of the sky as a massive gradient. If that transition feels natural, your entire landscape instantly gains depth.

Color and value chart showing acrylic sky gradients in gray, blue, and green tones for understanding sky color shifts and atmospheric perspective.

Mixing Color for the Sky

The goal isn’t to match a photo-perfect blue — it’s to create harmony.
I typically start with ultramarine blue, titanium white, and a touch of yellow ochre to warm the horizon.
If the sky looks too “clean,” a hint of alizarin crimson adds atmosphere and breaks up that sterile digital look.

These subtle shifts make a huge difference. Your blues will feel like air, not plastic.

Building Gradations with Acrylics

Acrylics dry fast, which makes blending tricky — but not impossible.
Here’s what works for me:

  1. Start with a slightly damp surface.
  2. Work from light to dark, bottom to top.
  3. Use horizontal strokes for smoother transitions.

Keep your brush moving. Don’t worry about streaks — a few soft edges actually make the sky feel more natural.

Why This Step Matters

This general model sets the stage for everything that follows — gradations, cloud types, and atmospheric effects.
Without a solid base, even the best clouds will look pasted on.
By mastering this foundational structure, you’ll be ready for the next lessons where we’ll layer in perspective, hue shifts, and believable cloud forms.

Materials Used

  • Acrylics on mixed media paper
  • Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre, Titanium White, Alizarin Crimson
  • 1” Flat brush for blending, smaller round for touch-ups

Complete acrylic supplies toolbox below.

Course Navigation

Next Lesson: How to Paint Clouds and Sky – Linear Perspective & Cloud Types
Previous Lesson: How to Paint Trees & Sky Holes Step by Step Demo
Course Hub: Acrylic Landscape Painting Fundamentals

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Affiliate Disclosure: Some links are affiliates, and I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend materials I use regularly, often from Blick Art Materials. Your support keeps my tutorials free and ad-free—thank you!

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