My efforts to paint cloud formations have met with very mixed results over the years. They often end up too heavy or, worse still, muddy.
With this study I set out to paint something more like real cloud formations. I painted the whole sky over with a thin layer of mid-tone grey mixed with white, black and a little ultramarine. I let it dry for a few weeks and then scumbled the lighter parts of the cloud formations with a mix of white, red and cad yellow diluted with lots of medium.
Overall this approach is MUCH easier than trying to paint the clouds alla prima and I like the way they turned out.
I based the study on a plein air painting that I had done at Montcalm Farm, Purcellville earlier this year.