“May the friendships you make, Be those which endure,
And all of your grey clouds, Be small ones for sure” – Extract from an Irish Blessing
“Behind every cloud is another cloud” – Judy Garland
I have had an ambivalent relationship with clouds. I prefer bright sunshine. I In fact I have obsessively looked for bright sunshine and shadows to paint. I have found the relationship between objects and their shadows exciting.
Up Sketty
This can be difficult in Wales where we can get days or even weeks of overcast or wet days. So when the sun is out I go mad, rush all over the place taking reference photos to paint later in my studio. I have been guilty of often portraying Swansea only in its best light. Someone once said I made Swansea look like a Mediterranean country.
Don’t get me wrong, on a sunny day it’s beautiful place and I have painted dark and rainy scenes too (see below) but not the rain clouds as I prefered painting bright blues skies.
The Driving Rain (SOLD) That Petrol Emotion (SOLD)
I have never really been happy with how I painted clouds. They never quite came off the way I wanted them to. The paintings looked fine but I had not enjoyed the process of painting them. For a long time I could not quite put my finger on what it was that I was finding dissatisfying about the experience.
Clouds Gathering Over Mumbles Head
So I did a bit of research and read up on something called “scumbling” and watched a video on youtube demonstrating the technique.
This is a way of applying paint with a dry brush to painted canvas. This way a broken layer of paint is added allowing the colour underneath to show through. J.M.W. Turner was the king of scumbling. Think of that painting of his “Rain, Steam and Speed” where the steam train is emerging out of the clouds of rain and steam. This is my humble effort at scumbling.
A Change in the Weather
I was quite pleased with it but it did not pass the “praise test” with my husband, Seamas. He’s my most valued audience and source of feedback. It’s not that he didn’t like the painting, he just didn’t say anything at all about it. So I decided this technique wasn’t quite working for me.
I watched a few more videos on Youtube where artists knocked off beautiful clouds in a matter of minutes.
This just seem to make things worse. I swirled the paint around on the canvas and it all just felt “lumpy” to me. I scrubbed the canvas. Humph. I decided Youtube videos were great for tips on mending jeans or adjusting security lights but not for painting techniques. I had to find my own way. Or truth be told, I forgot about it for a while.
Finally, I think I have started to make a break-through. It came from being in another country, Ireland, where the skies are full of constantly changing clouds. This was something quite different to the light of Wales. To start with I tried to painting bright sunshine, as I do in Wales.
On The Way To ArranmoreRound the Rosses (SOLD)
I like the light in these painting a lot. Then I was tempted by the landscape to explore the changing skies too. You can’t paint Mount Errigal without a swath of clouds around its shoulders.
Under the Shadow of Errigal (SOLD)
I started to get sucked into the drama of the Donegal skies. I slowly discovered the key, for me anyway, is very thin layers of paint. After all, clouds are just water vapour. They are made of tiny fine particles of water. They are not solid things and this was where I had been going wrong, making them solid things. They are not.
Ironically, this is what exactly what the Youtube videos were showing me but I needed to find my own way of doing it. I didn’t like painting a layer of opaque blue and then adding cloud on top. I prefered a number of very thin layers of paint. The natural colour of the linen canvas I use, actually helped contribute to the colour of the “dirty” rain clouds.
Mount Errigal from Ballymanus Beach, Donegal (SOLD)
So my clouds got thinner and finer.
Over to Owey Island, West Donegal, Ireland
So that a puff of wind would move them along. Or light luminate them.
From Ferry Coll
So, I have started painting “overcast” pictures where the light is slivery rather than golden. I can be a challenge because the light affects all the colours, the greens are flater and duller and I am using yellow ochre and naples yellow far more than I do painting sunny Welsh landscapes.
Across to Dunfanaghy (SOLD)
Finally, my favourite recent painting is the one I did of Muckish mountain. I loved the massive rounded clouds that seemed to be echoing the humped shape of the mountain.
Shored up near Muckish
I have only started feeling confident painting clouds and I think I have some way yet to go. Fortunately, I won’t be short of clouds to paint in Wales and Ireland.
Great paintings. It is so interesting to see how you are developing so successfully the way you work, and the new emphasis on the sky and clouds in your pictures adds a fresh dimension.
It’s so interesting to read this process you have been through. Your clouds do look luminescent in your later works. I love clear blue skies too. Leaves and flowers look better with blue skies behind them.
This is gorgeous stuff, particularly the last one. <3 That boat rocks so much! I like how you went about it and discovered your own way of doing clouds. And I agree, your blue sky paintings indeed have a Mediterranean feel and I would have been mighty surprised if I haven't been to a Dorset cove on such a day and seen images from Cornwall that look like Greece.
Thank you, Manja. Where I live looks completely different in the rain versus the sunshine. When the sun comes out it is transforned – so the blue skies are real, it’s just that I haven’t painted the skies with clouds or overcast skies as much!
Wonderful work in this post. I suppose I am half in and half out when it comes to clouds, I love shadow play and so yes, the sun is key…but also love very strong, dark rainy skies. Living in Wales does give a good sampling of both, but as you say probably more of the latter.
I could recognise your work anywhere…which is good, and have to say as much as I love the sunny paintings, I do love your rain pieces to. janet 🙂
Very interesting to see your evolving technique for painting clouds! I would never claim to be a painter, but when I do paint, which is not very often, I tend to leave clouds to the end, and don’t spend too much time on them.
Yes, I used do that too. Then in the summer I decided that I’d start with the sky and work downwards. It depends on the subject matter, but I am aware that what ever you do last get less attention!
I can see how, with your minimalist style, it would be difficult to portray something as nebulous as a cloud. Or even worse, a bunch of them! I think you’re well on the way to the best solution. And as usual with an artist, it wasn’t a straight path!
Clouds are such beautiful things, but what a challenge you have chosen for yourself! Is part of the difficulty that there are so many different sorts of clouds? Voluminous cumulous or wispy cirrus? Do you use different techniques for each, or does the idea of painting water vapour carry you through? Sorry, I seem to have ended up grilling you, rather than telling you that I really enjoyed coming with you on your cloud painting journey!
I love your work, clouds or no clouds. I really enjoyed seeing the two rain at night photos. They are really so dark while being bright with lights. In American cinematography they always like to wet the pavement in scenes on streets. Even if it has not rained they want that shiny reflecting quality of wet pavement. That is just something i learned from my husband and since he told me i have observed it to be true. Anyway much wonderful work in this post Emma.
Thank you, Anne. I went through of phase of “night” paintings a couple of years ago during a very wet winter here and yes, the wet roads and pavements were fin to paint.
I do think you have the clouds nailed now….really love them. I find that buildings and landscapes with a solid sky are lovely and a simple sky doesn’t distract from the shapes and shadow below. But, many times clouds complete the picture and beyond shape and shadow give mood and so I am glad you are doing paintings with clouds now along with the cloudless skies. Really do think they are great!! Glad you shared this subject.
I have recently been spending time with my parents in the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. On a bright sunny Sunday morning I explored some of the winding tracks of a near by village called Chalford and Chalford Hill. Where is that? In the South West-ish of the English Midlands ( see map below). The Parish of […]
I was absolutely delighted to spot Claire Keegan’s “Foster” (and my painting on the cover) at the BBC’s screen of this year’s British Academy Film Awards, known as the BAFTAs. The Irish language film “The Quiet Girl” was nominated for Best Screenplay (Adapted) catagory. The film’s director Colm Bairead wrote the screenplay, adapted Claire Keegan’s beautiful novella. The moving film was also nominated for the Best Film Not in the English Language.
I am very excited to have an article in today’s Irish Independent on Sunday about me and work by Niall McMonagle. Below is my expanded Q & A interview that was much edited to feature in Niall McMonagle’s What Lies Beneath feature . It’s interesting to see that the online version had a different […]
New Work & Recent Sales
Washing Line, Arranmore _Emma Cownie
Inishcoo (To The Fore of Arranmore) – Emma Cownie
Kinnagoe Bay (Inishowen, Dongal)
Over Glenlough Bay, Donegal-Emma Cownie
Still, On Gola (Donegal)
An Port, Donegal_Emma Cownie
House on Ishcoo, Donegal-Emma Cownie
On Rutland Island, Donegal -Emma Cownie
Spring on THree Cliffs Bay, Gower_Emma Cownie
Portnoo_Emma Cownie
Sun on the Reeds (Glentornan, Donegal)-Emma Cownie
View from the Pier (Portnoo)-Emma Cownie
From Port to Glenlough (Donegal)
Fishing Boat at Port Donegal-Emma Cownie
Portnoo Pier, Donegal_Emma Cownie
Down to Rossbeg Pier, Donegal
Errigal reflection (Donegal) _Emma Cownie
Errigal from Cruit Island. Donegal _ Emma Cownie
Over to Fanad Lighhouse (Donegal) _Emma Cownie
Errigal painting – A Commission 2022
From Arranmore (Donegal)- Emma Cownie
Abanoned (Glentornan, Donegal) -Emma Cownie
Ferry Home (Arranmore, Donegal) by Emma Cownie
Summer Morning on Pobbles Bay
Fanad
On the Way to Kinnagoe Bay (Drumaweer, Greencastle)
Down to Doagh Strand (Donegal)-Emma Cownie
Lambing Season at Fanad Head
Fanad Lighthouse (Donegal)
Down to the Rusty Nail
Carrickabraghy Castle, Inishowen
Upper Dreen_Emma Cownie
Portmór Beach, Malin Head, Donegal
Down to the Rusty Nail, Inishowen
The Walls of Derry
Painting of Derry City
Derry Walls by Emma Cownie
Shipquay Gate by Emma Cownie
Over to Owey Island (Keadue) Donegal
Lighting the way to Arranmore
Old Stone Cottage in front of Errigal (Donegal
Boat at the Pier, Gola
House on Inishbofin, with distant Seven Sisters (in studio)
Finally, my favourite recent painting is the one I did of Muckish mountain. I loved the massive rounded clouds that seemed to be echoing the humped shape of the mountain.
Great paintings. It is so interesting to see how you are developing so successfully the way you work, and the new emphasis on the sky and clouds in your pictures adds a fresh dimension.
Thank you, Jessica. You have put that really well. The new dimension gives me a new aspect to develop and explore.
It’s so interesting to read this process you have been through. Your clouds do look luminescent in your later works. I love clear blue skies too. Leaves and flowers look better with blue skies behind them.
Thank you and yes, I agree Ali. The blue skies give clarity for certain subject matter.
This is gorgeous stuff, particularly the last one. <3 That boat rocks so much! I like how you went about it and discovered your own way of doing clouds. And I agree, your blue sky paintings indeed have a Mediterranean feel and I would have been mighty surprised if I haven't been to a Dorset cove on such a day and seen images from Cornwall that look like Greece.
Thank you, Manja. Where I live looks completely different in the rain versus the sunshine. When the sun comes out it is transforned – so the blue skies are real, it’s just that I haven’t painted the skies with clouds or overcast skies as much!
Wonderful work in this post. I suppose I am half in and half out when it comes to clouds, I love shadow play and so yes, the sun is key…but also love very strong, dark rainy skies. Living in Wales does give a good sampling of both, but as you say probably more of the latter.
I could recognise your work anywhere…which is good, and have to say as much as I love the sunny paintings, I do love your rain pieces to. janet 🙂
Thank you for your encouraging words, Janet.
You are most welcome. I love your work
Very interesting to see your evolving technique for painting clouds! I would never claim to be a painter, but when I do paint, which is not very often, I tend to leave clouds to the end, and don’t spend too much time on them.
Yes, I used do that too. Then in the summer I decided that I’d start with the sky and work downwards. It depends on the subject matter, but I am aware that what ever you do last get less attention!
I love the cloud and mountain layers in “Across to Dunfanaghy”, it’s an effect I often see and try to capture in my photos.
Thank you, Ed. Photographers and artists clearly think alike at times!
Thanks for allowing us inside the process. It’s fascinating.
Thank you, Ellen.
I can see how, with your minimalist style, it would be difficult to portray something as nebulous as a cloud. Or even worse, a bunch of them! I think you’re well on the way to the best solution. And as usual with an artist, it wasn’t a straight path!
Minimalism and clouds don’t really go together terribly well, well not in a way I was happy with. So I have to let the minimalism slide a bit.
Or, you can be like Georgia O’Keeffe and skip the landscape for just a huge wall of chunky clouds!
(Hope this ridiculously long link works)
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl=en-us&q=Sky+Above+Clouds+IV&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLUz9U3MCyxMDBX4gIxjQuTTA2LtJSyk630yzKLSxNz4hOLSpCYmcUlVuX5RdnFAHRF_Os9AAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-7NqakJTfAhUBHjQIHecVAPAQgOQBMBR6BAgMEH0&biw=320&bih=525&dpr=2
Wow! That’s some painting (or series of painting). Wonderful.
Clouds are such beautiful things, but what a challenge you have chosen for yourself! Is part of the difficulty that there are so many different sorts of clouds? Voluminous cumulous or wispy cirrus? Do you use different techniques for each, or does the idea of painting water vapour carry you through? Sorry, I seem to have ended up grilling you, rather than telling you that I really enjoyed coming with you on your cloud painting journey!
Thank you, Anne. I don’t think about what sort of cloud they are I just paint what I see.
I love your work, clouds or no clouds. I really enjoyed seeing the two rain at night photos. They are really so dark while being bright with lights. In American cinematography they always like to wet the pavement in scenes on streets. Even if it has not rained they want that shiny reflecting quality of wet pavement. That is just something i learned from my husband and since he told me i have observed it to be true. Anyway much wonderful work in this post Emma.
Thank you, Anne. I went through of phase of “night” paintings a couple of years ago during a very wet winter here and yes, the wet roads and pavements were fin to paint.
I do think you have the clouds nailed now….really love them. I find that buildings and landscapes with a solid sky are lovely and a simple sky doesn’t distract from the shapes and shadow below. But, many times clouds complete the picture and beyond shape and shadow give mood and so I am glad you are doing paintings with clouds now along with the cloudless skies. Really do think they are great!! Glad you shared this subject.
You summed the function of clear sky versus cloudy sky nicely.Thank you, Judy.
Ik hou ook van wolken want een egale lucht lijkt me veel minder spannend.U schildert wolken zoals ik ze graag zie.
Dat is heel aardig van je om dat te zeggen. Dank je, Marylou.
There’s always a bright side, Emma, isn’t there? I’m glad you’ve found inspiration in Irish clouds. Thanks for sharing the journey 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Jo.
clouds are the cotton candy of paint Emma!
They are indeed, Wayne.