PAINTING A GRADIENT SKY IN ACRYLIC

Discover how to paint a sunset and learn the gradient technique with a matte fluid medium in our video tutorial with artist Diane Benoit du Rey.

HOW TO PAINT A GRADIENT SKY IN ACRYLIC? (we also missing a section for "START THE PROGRAMME" basically a link to other blogposts

Discover how to paint a sunset and learn the gradient technique with a matte fluid medium in our video tutorial with artist Diane Benoit du Rey.

PREPARING COLOURS

To prepare the colours for the top of the sky, create a dark colour, mixing ivory black and titanium white, and add a bit of yellow ochre to achieve a softer grey tone. For the bottom of the sky, create a light colour mixing primary red with primary yellow, yellow ochre, and add titanium white to it to soften the colour and create an orange tint. Adding a matte fluid medium will strengthen the colour, without changing it when diluting with water to achieve the gradation.

THE GRADIENT

Dampen a large brush, then apply the grey colour on the canvas. Pay attention to the regularity of the gesture to homogenise the colour on the surface. Repeat the process several times. You have to be quick with your strokes or the paint will dry. Then in a lateral back-and-forth motion, apply the grey coloured base, gradually adding orange, to create the gradient and merge the hues, gently descending from grey into a pure orange.

THE SUN

To finish the sunset, mix titanium white with primary yellow and orange and add a delicate line of light.

PREPARING YOUR CANVAS

Before you start working on your canvas, we recommend preparing your support with a white gesso. It’s a ready to use primer, with an opaque matte finish that will prevent the acrylic paint to be absorbed by the support.

Learn more

DISCOVER ADDITIVES FOR ACRYLIC

We have completely rearranged our acrylic additives range according to usage category, so that it’s now possible to achieve greater creative possibilities, through the effect of texture or finish. With additives, you will be able to transform each shade into a colour matter, through a multitude of effects, textures, and light and depth effects.

View the Range

FIND OUR PRODUCTS

OUR SHOPS

Use our store locator to find your nearest stockist.

Find us