<p>The <em>why</em> of it is that clouds, being made of tiny water vapor (or other) particles, both reflect <em>and transmit</em> light. So in addition to the standard directional highlighting on the &quot;surface&quot; of the cloud there is internal reflection and retransmission of the light, ie &quot;subsurface scattering&quot;. The clouds become self-illuminating and thereby self-shadowing depending on how that light is bouncing around. It is why they are so amazing looking and do not render quite as simply as actual balls of cotton.</p>
<p>So clouds can take on a huge variety of appearances depending on their altitude, their positional relationship to where the sun or moon or whatever light source may be illuminating them, the density of the air, etc. As far as capturing that complex play of light and shadow you are starting with the right approach: careful observation. Next start experimenting with different techniques (material, shading, form) to express what you have observed.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-07-18T19:02:58.097Z
2023-07-18T19:02:58.097Z
rebusB
<p>There is never just one way to highlight an object. It always depends on where the source of light is supposed to be and what you want to express.</p>
<p>If you want to paint as realistically as possible, you'll have to decide where the sun is. If it's behind you as the observer of the picture, all parts of the cloud that are most in the foreground should be highlighted because they receive the most light. If the sun is behind the canvas and therefore behind the cloud, the parts of the cloud that are furthest back should be the lightest and the parts in the foreground should be darker, just like your photo shows it.</p>
<p>However, most people don't actually care for a super-realistic representation of clouds in paintings. Clouds are a means to create a certain mood. White, fluffy clouds for a light mood and dark stormy clouds for a dark mood. Red or orange clouds for a sunset scene can also create a dreamy mood.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/lYYEu.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/lYYEum.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br />
Gathering Point 24 x 30&quot; oil on linen ©2010 Katherine Kean<br />
Click image for full size. <a href="https://katherinekean.blogspot.com/2010/08/storm-building.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Click here for image source</a></p>
<p>The dark clouds create a stormy mood and an impression of cold winds. The eye is drawn into the light center of the canvas.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/r5rwh.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/r5rwhm.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a><br />
6&quot;x6&quot; Mini #8 - Billowing Cloudscape Painting by Mya Bessette<br />
Click image for full size. <a href="https://www.myabessette.com/original-paintings/6x6-mini-8-billowing-cloudscape-painting" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Click here for image source</a></p>
<p>Despite the dark sky the clouds create a light mood and an impression of a warm summer day.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-07-18T05:43:56.850Z
2023-07-18T05:43:56.850Z
Elmy
<p>I wanna learn to paint clouds, so I checked some tutorials and noticed that usually people highlight the top part and shade the bottom part of each &quot;cotton ball&quot; a cloud is constructed from.</p>
<p>Then I took a picture of a real cloud and noticed that the top parts of each &quot;cotton ball&quot; are dark, while the bottom part is white.</p>
<p>Why is that so?</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/y28Xg.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/y28Xg.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

<painting>
Which parts of a cumulus cloud should be highlighted?
Chaz Ashley
# Which parts of a cumulus cloud should be highlighted?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-07-16)

I wanna learn to paint clouds, so I checked some tutorials and noticed that usually people highlight the top part and shade the bottom part of each "cotton ball" a cloud is constructed from.

Then I took a picture of a real cloud and noticed that the top parts of each "cotton ball" are dark, while the bottom part is white.

Why is that so?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/y28Xg.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/y28Xg.png)

**Tags:** painting


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-07-18. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

The *why* of it is that clouds, being made of tiny water vapor (or other) particles, both reflect *and transmit* light. So in addition to the standard directional highlighting on the "surface" of the cloud there is internal reflection and retransmission of the light, ie "subsurface scattering". The clouds become self-illuminating and thereby self-shadowing depending on how that light is bouncing around. It is why they are so amazing looking and do not render quite as simply as actual balls of cotton.

So clouds can take on a huge variety of appearances depending on their altitude, their positional relationship to where the sun or moon or whatever light source may be illuminating them, the density of the air, etc. As far as capturing that complex play of light and shadow you are starting with the right approach: careful observation. Next start experimenting with different techniques (material, shading, form) to express what you have observed.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2023-07-18. Score: 2

There is never just one way to highlight an object. It always depends on where the source of light is supposed to be and what you want to express.

If you want to paint as realistically as possible, you'll have to decide where the sun is. If it's behind you as the observer of the picture, all parts of the cloud that are most in the foreground should be highlighted because they receive the most light. If the sun is behind the canvas and therefore behind the cloud, the parts of the cloud that are furthest back should be the lightest and the parts in the foreground should be darker, just like your photo shows it.

However, most people don't actually care for a super-realistic representation of clouds in paintings. Clouds are a means to create a certain mood. White, fluffy clouds for a light mood and dark stormy clouds for a dark mood. Red or orange clouds for a sunset scene can also create a dreamy mood.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/lYYEum.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/lYYEu.jpg)  
Gathering Point 24 x 30" oil on linen ©2010 Katherine Kean  
Click image for full size. [Click here for image source](https://katherinekean.blogspot.com/2010/08/storm-building.html)

The dark clouds create a stormy mood and an impression of cold winds. The eye is drawn into the light center of the canvas.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/r5rwhm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/r5rwh.jpg)  
6"x6" Mini #8 - Billowing Cloudscape Painting by Mya Bessette  
Click image for full size. [Click here for image source](https://www.myabessette.com/original-paintings/6x6-mini-8-billowing-cloudscape-painting)

Despite the dark sky the clouds create a light mood and an impression of a warm summer day.


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