As I write these words, there are over 71 tutorials on this blog. 71! That’s a lot of tutorials. They cover a variety of subjects from horses to landscapes to drapery. Today, I’m sharing links to some of my favorite free step-by-step sky tutorials.
Free Step-by-Step Sky Tutorials
Most of the following tutorials are older and many of your may not have seen them when they were first published. That’s why I’m publishing a list of them for your review and enjoyment.
Most of them deal directly with skies of various types, but I’m also including two cloud tutorials just for fun.
Here they are.
Drawing a Sky on Sanded Paper
This mini-tutorial shows you how to layer, dry blend, and layer again to create rich, smooth color when drawing a sky on even the coarsest art papers. The sky I’m drawing is clear, but a bit hazy. Faber-Castell Polychromos on UArt Premium Sanded Pastel Paper, 240 grit.
How to Draw a Clear Sky with Colored Pencil
Learn how to draw a clear sky with colored pencil using Prismacolor pencils on Bristol vellum. Includes tips on choosing the right colors, mixing colors and blending with burnishing.
How to Draw a Gray Sky with Colored Pencils
This two-part tutorial shows you how to draw a flat, gray sky on sanded art paper. It includes a link to the second part, as well as link to a preceding post on sketching a composition directly on paper, so you get three for the price of one with this post. Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils on sanded art paper.
How to Draw a Night Sky
This tutorial describes how to draw a night sky with colored pencil. Includes tips on drawing stars, getting deep color, and dark values. I also show you how to “draw” stars by impressing marks. Prismacolor on Bristol Vellum.
How to Draw a Stormy Sky in Colored Pencil
Here’s another tutorial on one of my favorite kinds of skies: stormy skies with brightly lighted foregrounds. This tutorial focuses on the sky, and I show you how to blend different colors to get deep darks. I also did a little bit of work on the foreground, but the subject is that lovely, dark sky. Prismacolor on Bristol.
How to Draw Clouds with Colored Pencil
This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to draw clouds in colored pencil. It includes tips on layering, developing values, solvent blending, and more. Prismacolor on Canson Mi-Teintes.
Draw a Simple Cloud–A Tutorial
Learn how to draw a simple cloud with this quick tutorial. Bristol vellum paper with Prismacolor pencils and no fancy tools.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy these free step-by-step sky tutorials.
I enjoy drawing skies and I enjoy showing you how to draw skies, so if there’s a type of sky I’ve missed, let me know. Also let me know if there’s a particular type of paper you’d like to see a demo on and I’ll do my best to provide one.
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I don’t always have tine to delve into your generous treasure trove and actually do projects; fill tine job, business and medical issue with my husband fill every breaking minute. But I do much appreciate your art wisdom you share so willingly, and your thoughtful perspective.
Many people have skills, not as many can communicate those skills, and be so objective in offering other pathways too in such detail. You could explain how to wash dishes and I’d read it to the end! I love the way your mind works, and I always find the content valuable, even if the subject doesn’t resonate with me. You’re a treasure, just wanted to take the time to express that. I’m sure many others enjoy your offerings without comment; today I had to thank you.
Vicky,
Thank you for your kind words. As it happens, washing dishes by hand is one of my favorite things. The hot water is relaxing to my hands and it gives me something worthwhile to do as a break from being creative.
But I never thought about writing a post about it!
Now when I wash dishes by hand I will think of you!
Laughing out loud, thank you, Vicky!
You are definitely the sky and scenery artist! Always fun and informative to follow you and see what you are up to. :)
Thank you, Gail. I enjoy drawing skies and I guess that shows!
Hmmm?…washing dishes…that sounds like a great topic for the ACEO card challenge. “What’s In Your Sink?”…lol.
Your skies are fantastic Carrie!