Paint a sky with watercolors by using a common technique known as flat wash. This technique works well for large areas that need layering, like going from dark to light. The wet-in-wet technique means applying a colored-wash over a water surface. To remove colors, the lifting off technique creates lighter effects by using a dry brush, sponge or paper tissue to remove excess color. Painting a sky uses these techniques.
Instructions
Paint a Graded Sky
1. Paint a horizontal line to divide the sky from the land. Use one color or mix two colors together for your one color. Use watercolor paper with weight at least #140.
2. Wet the sky area with water. Use a 1 inch flat brush or round No. 10 or 12.
3. Take blue and begin at the top by painting a dark horizontal stroke across the sky. Add up to four more rows to bring the sky downward for a darker effect. Let the blue drip downwards for a graded color wash if you prefer.
4. Cover the remaining sky with a lighter color. Simply dilute the horizontal strokes with more water, less watercolor. Blend the sky colors to the horizon, dark to light.
5. Use water only to brush along the bottom edge of the last horizontal skyline. This blending effect creates contrasts between colors.
Paint a Variegated Sky
6. Choose two or more colors. Blue, yellow and red work well but you select whatever color is needed.
7. Dampen the paper with water only.
8. Paint several horizontal strokes across the paper with mixed blue and red. Bring this part of the sky as low as you want. Remember blue and yellow together produces green.
9. Spread your yellow watercolor into the lower section of the first color blue/red and let it flow downward. Add several horizontal layers moving downward for the next color.
10. Add red into the lower yellow area and bring it to the horizon. Use more water to lighten the red.
11. Correct any straight lines by bleeding the colors into each new horizontal line.
Paint a Wet-in-Wet Sky
12. Choose the sky color or colors. This watercolor technique creates more movement in the sky.
13. Use plain water to brush the entire sky area.
14. Place the colors you want onto the wet areas.
15. Hold the paper up to let the colors run and mingle together.
16. Lay the paper flat to dry after finishing the desired effects.
