Please please help what's the Best Way to draw Cumulus clouds

**Hugh Jago** · 02 July 2015, 03:41 PM

Attached are two old Xara paintings I did in 07/08. They've now on canvas and hanging (rather large) on various walls. I'm back painting again and attach a photoshop scene that I'm re-doing in Xara (Into The Blue). Please, Please can anyone provide tuition in getting Xara clouds that don't appear 'cartoonish' .
Thanking everyone for their help in advance.
Hugh

**gwpriester** · 02 July 2015, 03:53 PM

I was going to point you here http://www.xaraxone.com/webxealot/wo...3/features.htm but looking at the quality of your illustration, never mind.

I would create cloud shapes and play with layers of lights and darks, transparency and some feathering. See if you can reproduce some of the clouds in the plane photo.

**Hugh Jago** · 02 July 2015, 04:42 PM

Gary, Greatly appreciate your comments. I just seem to have hit a brick wall on these blasted clouds. Nothing I've done so far seems realistic, in every rendition so far you'd expect Daffy Duck to stick his head out from behind the cloud. Very frustrating. I have the same problem with these wave crests, I must be on the 500th version. I just can't get a happy feeling that this represents a Piper flying through the trough between two waves.

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**gray** · 02 July 2015, 07:55 PM

Hugh, I think you'll find that trying to do a complete cloud in vector will drive you crazy. The most efficient way I've found to do clouds is just like Gary said. Lay them out in vector first, then use a digital brush to touch them up. I think you'll be much happier with the end result. Not saying it can't be done in vector, but I've never been able to. Follow my link to my website and you will get an idea of what they will look like when using a combination of graphic methods. Sorry I can't tell you how to do it in pure vector.

**Hugh Jago** · 02 July 2015, 08:06 PM

Thank you very much. As you so rightly say, it's driving me crazy. I'll go take a look at your website, and I appreciate the assistance.
H

P.S. What an awesome site you have. Incredible pictures.

**mikeengles** · 03 July 2015, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Jago

Thank you very much. As you so rightly say, it's driving me crazy. I'll go take a look at your website, and I appreciate the assistance.
H

P.S. What an awesome site you have. Incredible pictures.

Hello
Many years ago I made a cloud brush, it might be of interest to you
Mike