Clouds are a beautiful part of nature and can be a great subject for drawing.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to draw clouds using charcoal on paper.
You will also learn how to shade the clouds for realism, and how to create the illusion of depth and volume.
The sky and silhouette of the clouds will also be rendered in pencil.
Finally, you will learn how to add more clouds to your drawing, and how to make them look soft and fluffy.
Drawing materials for learning how to draw clouds
You will need the following materials for this tutorial:
- Charcoal pencils (soft and medium grades)
- White charcoal pencil
- Paper (preferably textured)
- Kneaded eraser
- Rubber eraser
- Blending stump
Use the wide length of the charcoal to draw with.
Use the wide length of the charcoal to draw with
Start by drawing the lower part of the cloud.
Use a soft charcoal pencil to lightly sketch in the shape of the cloud.
Do not press down too hard, as you will want to be able to erase this later.
Once you have the general shape of the cloud, begin to fill it in with medium-grade charcoal.
Be sure to leave some light areas for highlights.
How to shade clouds using your finger
As you are shading the cloud, you can use your finger to blend the charcoal and create a soft, fluffy look.
Be sure to wipe your finger off on a paper towel often, as the charcoal can get quite smudgy.
Find the silhouette of your cloud drawing.
Once you have the cloud shaded to your liking, take a look at it from a distance and find the silhouette.
This is the outline of the cloud that will show up against the sky.
Use a white charcoal pencil to lightly draw in this silhouette.
You can also use an eraser to create highlights within the cloud.
How to draw the sky around the clouds drawing
To finish the drawing, use a rubber eraser to lightly erase the pencil lines that are outside of the cloud.
This will create a soft halo effect and make the cloud pop out from the page.
Finally, use a blending stump to blend the edges of the cloud into the sky.
Sky and silhouette of the cloud drawing
To draw a sky with clouds, firstly, you need to decide on the time of day.
The light and colors will be different at sunrise than at sunset, for example.
Once you have the general mood of the sky in mind, you can start sketching the basic shape of the clouds.
Remember that clouds are constantly changing shape, so don't worry about making them perfect.
Just try to capture their overall form.
After you have the basic shapes down, you can start adding details like shadows and highlights.
Finally, use an eraser to knock back any hard edges and give your drawing a softer look.
With a bit of practice, you'll be able to create realistic-looking clouds that add atmosphere to any drawing.
Create shadow shapes when drawing clouds
As you are drawing the clouds, be sure to create some shadow shapes.
This will give the clouds more dimension and make them look more realistic.
To do this, simply use a darker-value charcoal pencil to draw in some shadow areas.
You can also use your finger to blend these shadows for a softer look.
Adding more clouds
To add more clouds to your drawing, simply repeat the steps above.
Vary the values and sizes of the clouds to create interest, and be sure to leave some white space between them.
How to draw clouds softly
For a softer look, use a blending stump to blend the edges of the clouds into the sky.
You can also use a rubber eraser to lightly erase the pencil lines that are outside of the clouds.
This will create a soft halo effect and make the clouds look like they are floating in the sky.
Drawing clouds in the sky
When drawing clouds in the sky, be sure to leave some white space between them.
This will create a sense of depth and make the clouds look like they are floating.
You can also use a rubber eraser to lightly erase the pencil lines that are outside of the clouds.
This will create a soft halo effect and make the clouds look like they are floating in the sky.
Find shadow shapes when drawing clouds
As you are drawing the clouds, be sure to find the shadow shapes.
This will give the clouds more dimension and make them look more realistic.
To do this, simply use a darker-value charcoal pencil to draw in some shadow areas.
How to draw clouds with dark values
For a more dramatic look, use a darker-value charcoal pencil to draw the clouds.
You can also use your finger to blend these shadows for a softer look.
Finally, use an eraser to knock back any hard edges and give your drawing a more atmospheric look.
Pay attention to edges while drawing clouds
When drawing clouds, be sure to pay attention to the edges.
This will give the clouds more dimension and make them look more realistic.
To do this, simply use a darker-value charcoal pencil to draw in some shadow areas.
You can also use your finger to blend these shadows for a softer look.
Drawing darker clouds
For a more dramatic look, use a darker-value charcoal pencil to draw the clouds.
You can also use your finger to blend these shadows for a softer look.
Be sure to leave some white space between the clouds to create a sense of depth.
How to draw clouds with an eraser
If you want to create a softer look, use a rubber eraser to lightly erase the pencil lines that are outside of the cloud. This will create a soft halo effect and make the clouds look like they are floating in the sky.
Also, create lighter areas with an eraser
One way to create realistic-looking clouds is to use an eraser to create lighter areas.
This will give the illusion of light shining through the clouds.
To create this effect, start by drawing a cloud shape with a pencil.
Then, use an eraser to lightly rub over the top of the drawing.
The pressure you apply will determine how light or dark the area will be.
Experiment with different pressure levels until you get the desired effect.
Remember, the goal is to create a sense of depth, so don't be afraid to go overboard.
How to draw a cloud by creating sharp edges with an eraser
drawing clouds can be a difficult task for many artists.
However, by following a few simple tips, you can create realistic-looking clouds with ease.
The first step is to sketch out the general shape of the cloud using light pencil strokes.
Once you have the outline, start filling in the middle with darker pencil strokes.
To add depth and dimension to the cloud, create sharp edges with an eraser.
Be sure to press lightly so that you don't erase too much of the drawing.
Experiment with different pressure levels to find the perfect balance.
Edges within the cloud
Drawing clouds can be tricky, but one helpful way to think about it is to focus on the edges.
The clouds themselves are relatively featureless, so by paying attention to the edges you can create a more convincing illusion of depth and volume.
Start by drawing a few simple shapes to represent the different levels of the clouds, then fill in the details around the edges.
You can use light and dark shading to create a sense of movement, and don't forget to add highlights where the sun is hitting the clouds.
With a little practice, you'll be able to capture the ethereal beauty of clouds on paper.
Lower cloud area
One way to make drawing clouds easier is to lower the cloud area.
This will make the lower edge of the clouds more defined, making it easier to determine the shape of the cloud.
In addition, lowering the cloud area will also make the clouds appear larger, making them easier to draw in proportion to other objects in the scene.
To lower the cloud area, simply move the horizon line down on the paper.
This will give the illusion of taller mountains or buildings and will make drawing clouds much easier.
Completing the cloud drawing
Once you're happy with the overall look of the clouds, darken the pencil lines where you want to show line weight and add any final details.
Recommended Drawing Tools Used in this Article
Charcoal Drawing Paper
Charcoal drawing paper is specially designed to hold the pigment and allow for a range of tones and textures.
When choosing a paper for charcoal drawing, look for a heavyweight stock that has a smooth surface.
This will provide a good foundation for your drawing and allow you to achieve the desired level of detail.
For drawing clouds, you may also want to consider slightly textured paper, as this can help to create a more lifelike effect.
With the right paper in hand, you'll be ready to create breathtaking charcoal drawings that are sure to impress.
Bob’s Vine Charcoal
For centuries, artists have used charcoal to create stunning drawings.
Its unique properties allow it to produce rich, deep blacks that can add tremendous depth and contrast to a drawing.
Bob's Vine Charcoal is some of the best charcoal that you will find on the market today.
It is made from natural wood, and each piece is hand selected to ensure the highest quality.
The result is a product that is perfect for drawing clouds.
The soft, velvety texture of Bob's Vine Charcoal makes it easy to lay down smooth, even strokes, and its light weight means that it won't smudge or fade over time.
If you're looking for charcoal that will help you create beautiful works of art, Bob's Vine Charcoal is a perfect choice.
Faber Castell Eraser
Drawing clouds can be a challenge, but with the right eraser, it's easy!
The Faber Castell eraser is the perfect tool for drawing clouds because it's soft and pliable.
This means that you can easily create curved lines and shapes that look like real clouds.
Plus, the eraser is also easy to clean up, so you won't have to worry about making a mess.
Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the Faber Castell eraser is the perfect choice for drawing clouds.