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How to draw a cloud with a pencil in stages for children. Draw beautiful realistic clouds in Photoshop

How to draw a cloud with a pencil in stages for children. Draw beautiful realistic clouds in Photoshop

10.04.2019

Today we will talk about how to draw clouds with a pencil. It is difficult, I will say right away, but the result is worth the effort and time spent. I will tell you how to convey emotions in a picture, and of course, I will show you step by step using one example. Let's take this picture: A cloud is an inexplicable phenomenon that originates from smoke and dust, creating an atmosphere on planet Earth and in the souls of people. And how can the atmosphere affect the souls of people? Well, for example:

Rain clouds make me sad;
Cumulonimbus - waiting;
Layered grays, or whites - calm;
Layered foggy - melancholy;
Cirrostratus - hope;
Fluffy - peace on the planet;
Tough and clumsy - the galaxy is in danger;
Blue, yellow - joy, childhood;
Dark, blue, gray - a harbinger of something bad;

Color and form convey the emotions of the artist, the emotions of the picture. Be extremely careful when depicting clouds in your painting. Not always the vision of the author coincides with the vision of mere mortals. Hence it turns out: the artist sees it this way. What I have described above are my personal associations with clouds. Perhaps you have a different opinion. This is fine. I wanted to show youth, calmness, softness and serenity in the picture. I hope you will see all this in the lesson:

How to draw clouds with a pencil step by step

Step one. Let's draw a horizon line, with the help of circles we will show clouds, a girl and in the background a forest, a lighthouse, islands.
Step two. With the help of smaller circles, we will show fluffy clouds. Let's draw in more detail the girl and the background.
Step three. Now slowly draw the clouds with light strokes. In the background we will add vegetation, and in the front we will add seagulls.
Step four. We add shadows with the help of hatching for realism and bring beauty.
If you don't succeed the first time, don't worry. Worth a try again! Better yet, attach your work under this article, and comment on the work of other readers. Let's find mistakes together and fix them! And try to picture again.

This is a rather difficult lesson, so it may take you quite a lot of effort to repeat it. If the first time you didn’t manage to draw clouds, don’t despair and try again. Try your best to complete this lesson. If, however, it still doesn’t work out, you can try to complete the lesson “”. But I believe that you will succeed.

What you need

In order to draw clouds, we may need:

You need Photoshop software.
A little patience.
Good mood.

Step by step lesson

Natural phenomena are difficult to draw. That is, it is not difficult to draw them, but to achieve realism is much more difficult. I always recommend looking at the original in order to repeat exactly what you are going to draw. In the Yandex image search, it is enough to search for “clouds in the photo” to get a large amount of the necessary material.

By the way, in addition to this lesson, I advise you to turn your attention to the lesson "". It will help improve your mastery or just give you a little pleasure.

Tip: do different things on different layers. The more layers you make, the easier it will be for you to manage the drawing. So the sketch can be done on the bottom layer, and the white version on the top, and when the sketch is not needed, you can simply turn off the visibility of this layer.

When completing the lesson, please note that due to differences in program versions, some menu items and tools may be called differently or not at all. This might make the tutorial a little difficult to follow, but I think you can do it.

So, first create a new document, fill it with a blue gradient. We make a sketch. The image below is a sketch of a cloud painted with a soft brush. As you can see, and light are indicated immediately.

Next, I changed the soft brush to a harder one. Marked the edges of the clouds. Remember that it illuminates them from above, because the color should be dazzling white, and draw darker contours from below, since this is the shaded side of the cloud. Work carefully, try to draw with soft transitions.

Now we need to get rid of the big white spot in the center of the cloud. Maybe you think that there is no point in erasing it, because we will put other objects on top of it anyway, but I think that there should be order in everything. I will also darken the bottom of the cloud a bit. Thus, after some changes, our drawing should look like this:

Remember that such clouds can only be created in a certain position, because that's when the light, shadows and angle will be located correctly. So, below is a diagram of the correct location of the gaze, clouds and sun.

If you want a different arrangement of objects (the top right picture shows you the case of the position of the clouds between the gaze and the sun), then your drawing should look like the figure below. The majority (which is facing the viewer) of the same cloud will be in shadow. Thus, when drawing the cloud in this position, we will use more dark colors, and only at the edges, on the sunny side, we will add blue.

We continue to work with this cloud. Now we'll add some detail and highlight some parts of the clouds that are probably not big enough to create a deep shadow.

It took me only ten minutes to create these clouds, and I used only two types of brushes. One brush is soft, and the other is hard, like a cloud or dissipating smoke. To do this, I worked a little in the Brush Preset, changed some parameters (you can see them in the pictures below). Once you've learned how to create this brush, you'll be able to create some pretty pretty objects.

So, now we will try to use the resulting brushes in our work. First, we need some pictures that can be found on the Internet (references). I found some photos of clouds taken from above (probably from a window). Everyone who has flown in an airplane has a rough idea of what clouds look like. My choice fell on certain photographs: the clouds are illuminated by a bright white light.

So, I studied the structure and shape of the clouds. Now I have a rough idea of the location of objects in the picture: clouds will stretch all the way, on the right they will slightly dissipate, stretching towards the distant horizon. Like that:

Now I slightly changed the contrast and saturation of the picture. Drawn and added small clouds. You must realize that all clouds cast shadows both behind and below them. I'm showing air currents by lifting some of the clouds. So now your picture looks like this:

I again had to add more contrast and saturation. So, now the bulk of the clouds begin to take on a realistic, beautiful look. Although it needs some improvement.

It's time to add depth and a "cosmic" feel to the drawing. We now need to concentrate on the clouds in the background, add a few details to the main clouds. Air currents create not only from clouds, but also "chasms" in them. To show these holes, I used a deep blue color. Lowered the opacity of the layer with small background clouds. Because I want to give a nebula to the picture, as it happens at large distances.

When you draw something or someone long enough, the feeling to soberly assess the picture and find mistakes is dulled. Therefore, when the picture is ready, call someone to soberly assess the situation and help find errors.

So my painting is finished. The clouds look realistic and breathtaking and give the viewer the impression of flying. And that's exactly what I was aiming for. This work took about three hours.

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed the lesson on how to draw clouds and hope that you were able to repeat the lesson. Now you can pay attention to the lesson "" - it is just as interesting and exciting. Share this tutorial with your friends on social media. networks.

Natalya Cherkasova

M. Yanushkevich

Thundercloud is crying

It is impossible for her otherwise!

How can the cloud not cry?

We need to water the land!

For a flower to bloom

Green forest.

For the river to run away

Just she doesn't get enough rain!

To drink the river

Must be a heavy downpour!

Boris Zakhoder

"RAIN"

Rain sings a song:

Only who will understand her -

Neither I nor you understand

But flowers will understand

And spring foliage

And green grass.

Grain will understand best of all:

Germinate

Hello, dear colleagues and visitors of "MAAAM"! I would like to bring to your attention our drawing with children.

Here, the technique of applying with a brush and finger painting. were drawing blue paint with brush droplets rain. And with a finger "poke" movements painted over cloud of gray paint. A mix of classic drawing tassel and unconventional drawing with a finger not only set the children in a very positive mood, but also developed fine motor skills of the fingers in a variety of ways. Before drawing the guys and I found out who needs it and why rain. Learned what is heavy rain - downpour, And rain, which is called mushroom. Played mobile game: "The sun and rain". We played finger game:

"Rain"

- Rain, rain, water

Forefinger to tap on the palm of the other

There will be a loaf of bread

form a circle in front of you

There will be rolls, there will be drying,

clapping one hand alternately with the other

There will be delicious cheesecakes.

connect the thumb and forefinger together, forming a large circle.

Before class, I prepared worksheets for drawing.

The drawing sheet was glued along the edges with strips of colored self-adhesive paper. painted clouds. Made the background three pencils: simple, blue and pink. Retouched.

Here is the result of the work.

Children draw with pleasure. All the guys decided that their the rain will be a downpour to well water the earth and plants with moisture. In the older group, with interest and pleasure, they managed to draw one more picture clouds. One drawing was taken home, another appeared at our exhibition of children's works.

Here's what the guys did.

First of all, you need to choose realistic colors for the sky. So the super-bright acid colors immediately step aside.

Second, think about the weather.

If the sky is clear and goes from deep blue to light blue on the horizon, then there is not enough vapor in the air and it will be impossible to find any fluffy air clouds. Only clear, well-defined clouds are possible here.

Conversely, if the sky is almost uniform in color (with a slight smooth transition between two colors - dark and light), there is a high probability of observing fluffy clouds scattered across the sky. And that's exactly what we want!

Click on the image to view the image in full size and 100% quality.

So we have clear skies. But what does it take to get those damn clouds?

I'm sure you could paint them with a regular round brush, but I'll tell you about my method. And, of course, I have two special brushes:

Small cloud islands

GIMP users download

So, let's begin! For this cloud, I take a light yellow color: why not white? Because it looks better with blue, and because the sunlight falls on it.

Then we begin to form a cloud: in shape it resembles Dr.Slump's poop.

Then I reduce the size of the brush and go over the area with more light again. So much better, although still far from ideal.

We are working on the remaining areas of the cloud, adding density and volume to it: let it take on its shape (whatever it is)!
As you can see, my cloud is made up of three components, and all of them are already shaded.
Imagine that this is a mountain of balls, and illuminate those areas where, in theory, the light should fall.

Decrease the brush again and in the area of shadows draw such small clouds that seem to break away from the total mass.
In fact, clouds have a very unstable shape, and it is not surprising if a small island flies somewhere near a large cloud.

Change the brush and add some "smoke" near the illuminated clouds.

At the end, blur in some places a light smoky layer of clouds. They look so unnatural!
I use the same brush for this as I used to paint the base of the cloud.

What will you create

Do you also sometimes admire the incredible beauty of the sky? In this tutorial, I'll show you how to draw beautiful, realistic clouds using Adobe Photoshop.

I'll teach you how to create cumulus, cirrus and storm clouds using different brushes. In the process, I'll cover my favorite tools and techniques for creating incredible, realistic effects.

Looking for source images? These drawings, for example, were inspired by Envato's amazing collection of clouds. Here you can search for high quality stock images.

How to work with almost any cloud image

Many people are against using source images for fear that such an approach will lead to laziness. However, this view is a little outdated.

We absolutely need to understand what we see!

Most of what we draw imitates already existing objects. And for this lesson, it is important to understand that in your drawing you can simulate the general atmosphere or composition of any photo. Try to recreate some special moments that you can also change to create some kind of effect of your own.

I'll be using a few stock images from Envato Elements. You can also look for your own sources if you feel the need.

I didn't rely too much on the first image, while the other two helped me create different color schemes and lighting schemes. This is another reason to keep stock images close at hand.

Organize your workplace

Now you need to organize your workplace so that it is convenient for you to look at the source.

Click Window>Arrange> 2-UpVertical(Window > Arrange > 2 up, vertical).

This solution is very handy if you prefer to keep the source in a separate file: it will help you to better examine the photo for realistic details.

Now let's draw!

1. How to draw a regular cumulus cloud

Step 1

Let's start with the background!

In Photoshop, create a new document that is 900px by 450px and 300px per inch. Small documents are good for practice.

Click on the background layer to create a new one. Then add a layer style gradient overlay(Gradient overlay, type - linear) sky blue (using the following shades: #b3d0dd, #90dcff and #68c1f0) with the following settings:

Translator's note: in the screenshot of the layer style settings: Blending mode - Normal, Opacity - 100%, checkbox Align to layer, Angle - 95 degrees, Scale - 81%.

Here's what happens:

You will need a graphics tablet for the following steps.

Then, using a large round soft brush, paint a soft blue dot (color #3a6997) - this will be a shadow, and the cloud will stand out well against its background.

Step 2

On a new layer:

Using a hard round brush (100% hardness(hardness) and Opacity(opacity)) draw a cloud shape with color #adb7c0. Start with a simple shape before moving on to more complex ones.

Start placing light shadows on the cloud.

Make the new layer a clipping mask to the original layer and change its blending mode to Multiply(Multiplication). Use the same color as before to paint the shadows on the cloud, and a clipping mask will help keep the shadows in place.

Start painting with the brush at 100% hardness and opacity, and then gradually lower both values as you soften the shadow.

Translator's note: The names of the layers in the screenshot from top to bottom: (layer clipping mask) 0% Hardness, (layer clipping mask) 100% Hardness, cloud, shadow, Layer 0 (background layer with layer style Gradient overlay)

Step 3

Create the main texture.

Using the brushes from the previous set, paint light curved vertices on the cloud. Use white and light gray (#94a8bc) colors to start creating your lighting scheme right away.

Translator's note: The author uses the Wet Gouache and Acrylic Quick Strokes brushes from her set, 80px and 175px respectively.

Add some blue from the background and then merge the clipping mask layers and the original cloud shape.

I used brushes Fast Acrylic (Fast acrylic) and Wet Gouache (Wet gouache) in this step.

Lightly erase the hard edges with the tool Eraser(Eraser) (E) with 20-40% opacity.

Step 4

Now that we have a good foundation, we can move on!

As before, start painting more shadows on the cloud. Zoom in on the drawing to 200% to draw the lines of the texture, this will give some extra depth. Make sure the option is enabled PenPressureforOpacity(Using pressure to determine opacity).

Switch to a hard round brush with pressure adjustment opacity from the standard set of brushes. Use it to work on small areas where the cloud merges with the sky.

Clouds have "pockets" of light and shadow (see below), so further plan for areas where you want to create depth and movement. Add some gray blotches for a realistic transition.

Step 5

Let the cloud develop naturally. Return to sources periodically, but don't let them distract you.

Use a soft round brush with 0% opacity to surround the cloud with a soft mist.

Step 6

Let's adjust the colors with adjustment layers.

First, add a new adjustment layer GradientMap(gradient map) light blue (#c6cbd4 and #b4cbdc), change the blend mode to colorBurn(Base darkening).

Create a New Adjustment Layer Levels(Levels) with the settings as in the screenshot below. This will add definition, which is necessary for this image.

Step 7

Now that we have reached the required intensity, we can move on to painting the details. First, let's balance the sky.

A quick way to paint the sky is to simply use a new layer. On it with a soft round brush, paint with a light blue color.

Constantly change the opacity, and don't worry if it looks sloppy!

A soft brush is more suitable for cirrus clouds, but a hard edge will help bring out the details.

Keep working on the background, adding small clouds somewhere in the distance. Create a sense of depth by painting puffs of mist around the cloud.

Step 8

Now that we have the colors we want, we can focus on the final touches.

Add new layers and try to paint swirls on them with brushes of various shapes. Switch to brush Chalk(Chalk) to add realism to your clouds - the extra texture will immediately make them more alive and real.

Finally, add some yellow to show the effect of sunlight on the cloud and sky.

And here is the final image!