8916 Thunderhead Sky
Jerry Yarnell – Inspiration of Painting PBS Television Series

Towering thunderhead clouds rise dramatically above rugged canyon cliffs, with soft beams of light filtering through the sky and a distant waterfall adding depth below. In this beginner level acrylic painting lesson, Jerry guides you step-by-step through creating this striking scene in an 80 minute session on an 18x24 canvas, focusing on the power and beauty of cloud formations and atmospheric light.

You’ll learn how to build convincing cloud structures using layered values and soft blending, creating volume and dimension in towering cumulus forms. Jerry demonstrates how to block in large sky masses first, then refine edges and highlights to achieve a natural, realistic appearance.

The lesson also explores how to paint dramatic lighting effects, including rays of light breaking through clouds and subtle color transitions in the sky. You’ll work on integrating foreground cliffs and distant elements in a way that supports the sky as the dominant focal point.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll gain confidence in painting skies, controlling soft edges, and creating atmosphere and depth. This is an excellent project for beginners looking to develop strong cloud painting skills while producing a bold and visually captivating landscape.