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Observing: Painting Sky and Clouds

Writer's picture: Sansanee BoonyadSansanee Boonyad

Updated: Oct 19, 2024

by Sansanee Boonyad

October 6, 2024

Scene of the road go toward far distance mountain on a bright lively day.
Painting demonstration for Beginning Watercolor class by Sansanee Boonyad, PC: Karin Choi

As I guide my students through the process of painting sky and clouds, I can’t help but reflect on a similar experience I had as a college freshman. It was my first landscape painting course, and one of the assignments was to capture the feeling of time over the course of a day, from dawn to sunset. But before we even picked up a brush, my professor gave us an unusual instruction—observe the sky from morning until evening, without painting anything. Simply observe and take notes.

 

I still remember waking up early, long before sunrise, to focus on how the sky evolved through the day. I observed the subtle shifts in color, the way the light changed as the sun moved across the sky, and the unique feeling that each time of day evoked. But it wasn’t just my eyes that were engaged. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin as the day grew warmer, and the cool mist of morning as it slowly faded. I heard the sounds of birds and the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and I smelled the earthy scent of the grass and forest. More than that, I connected deeply with how each moment felt in my heart—the quiet stillness of dawn, the vibrancy of noon, and the calm reflection of evening.

 

At the time, I didn’t think much of it, but that experience has stayed with me. I still recall the sensation of lying on the grass, watching the clouds float by, and simply being there. No expectations, no rush—just openness to absorb what nature had to offer. That experience helped me cultivate a tenderness in my heart, an openness to nature’s touch, which I carry with me in both my artwork and my teaching.

 

Now, as a teacher, I see the impact of this method—learning through experience. If my professor had simply told us what the sky looked like at different times of day, or how to paint it, I wouldn’t have this story to share with my students today, nor would I have the deep understanding of the “feeling of time in the day” that I hold now.

 

Ultimately, I encourage you to explore the sky and clouds with your whole being, observing with both your senses and your heart. It is through this personal connection with nature that the true essence of landscape painting comes to life. Perhaps there’s a hidden secret of creativity within nature that can evoke and connect us to our own creative spirit. By embracing these moments, you not only enrich your artwork but also awaken the artist within, revealing endless possibilities for inspiration.


Enjoy painting!





Note: This article was written with AI assistance and reviewd by the author.

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