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No two clouds are alike in nature..it is impossible to find symetrical patterns in swirling gases.
Luckily, Photoshop has the means to re-create a natural look.
With the right combination of brushes, selections, filters and layers..anything can be possible.
The key is to learn some technique...then experiment and modify..there is plenty of room for variation.
Also, pay attention to clouds whenever you see them...see how they move..how light affects them..colors..ect.
The brain will register the information if one pays attention...details never noticed before will start appearing..
Kind of like Zen Buddism.
QUICK WORD ON USING THE MOUSE...
A traditional artist friend of mine once said "I hate the mouse..it's like trying to paint with a bar of soap!"
He's right..the mouse is a lousy paintbrush..a pen tablet would be way better, but if you are constantly
broke (like myself) the mouse will do fine.
The best way I have found to paint with a mouse...is to anchor the wrist, and use short subtle strokes.
Put some pressure on the heel of your hand to restrict movement.
To avoid carpal tunnel syndrome, a mouse pad with a gel wrist rest is recommended..I use one myself and it
is very comforatable, especially during long sessions.
CLOUD MAKING IN PHOTOSHOP (Part1)
1. Open a new file in Photoshop.
Set it for landscape position, 5x7", 72 pixels per inch.
The reason the resolution is set this low, is to reduce the load on the computer.
Large files will slow things down, and at this point, we are learning and practising.
The print quality wall posters can come later. ;)
2. In the tool pallete...set the foreground color to dark blue and the background to white.
3. Go to Layers/Create new Layer. Name it cloud1
4. Go to Filter/Render/Clouds..Apply
The result will be as shown in the next image...It looks like clouds..
But is symetrical and formless..nothing like in real nature.
5. Go to Edit/Transform/Scale or Ctrl+T
Drag the bottom of the image upwards as shown in the next image
Then drag the sides out, as shown in the next image
Right click on the image and bring up the transform menu..
Click on Perspective
Drag the bottom corners inwards (next image)
apply the changes
The result will have some depth and perspective but it still looks flat and symetrical.
Time to apply some filters.
ON THE LIQUIFY FILTER
The liquify filter has the ability to move the image around as if it were a liquid.
There is a wide choice of tools and brushes that can bend, twist, swirl, squish, billow ect.
There is a world of expermentation in it, but for now, the default brush will do.
6. Go to Filter/Liquify
Move the brush around the edges and inside, using short mouse strokes.
Don't overdo it. We are just trying to create a subtle impression of movement at this point.
The next image shows a guide to some possible points of manipulation
The result..
The image looks better, but is still flat and 'cartoony' looking.
Time to add detail
**Importent Note** Just as no two clouds are alike...no two artists are alike.
...dont try to do an exact duplicate. Just try to get close.
Much of this kind of painting comes from the subconscience.
It would be impossible for me to do the same image twice.
7. Select a small area of the image with the ecliptical selection tool
Go to Filter/Distort/Twirl ... Move the slider so that the image is only slightly bent...+50 in this case.
Select a few more areas and apply the filter. This can be done quickly by pressing Ctrl+F after making each selection.
(Photoshop holds the filter and its settings in memory untill a different one is applied)
The next image is a composite of some selections, and the results of the filter.
It is looking better...but still not right..still too blobby..needs to be softer.
This is where the motion blur filter comes in.
Notes on the Motion Blur Filter..
The motion blur filter is one of Photoshops workhorse filters. On its own, or in combination with other filters
(especially the Noise filter) it can be used to create wind, rain, grass, stone, metal, wood, to name a few.
And of course..clouds.
8. In the next image, I have made a wide ecliptical selection on the bottom of the image
...notice that half the selected area is white space.
The gases need somewhere to flow.
After making the selection, go to Filter/Blur/Motion blur.
Set the angle slider to -11
Set the distance to 88
The next images show the results.
It flows a bit more now..but there are edges near the last filter application.
We are going to fix that with the Smudge tool
ON THE SMUDGE TOOL..
The smudge tool is located on the tool pallete..7th tool down from the top left.
By default, the blur tool will be there
...to get to the smudge tool, click the left mouse button with the arrow
on the blur tool and hold it down..
A flyout menu will appear...select the smudge tool.
It works similer to the liquify filter, but acts more like paint than liquid.
Using photoshops many brushes, it has endless possibilities.
9. The next image shows a guide to areas that could use the smudge brush.
I used a fuzzy edged airbrush..size 30 set at 100%..again using short, subtle movements
This is the result...Just touch things up...dont overdo
More of a gaseous flow now..but detail is needed.
Time for the Ocean Ripple filter
Notes on the Ocean Ripple filter..
This filter replicates moving, splashing water..
It also works great with clouds.
10. The next image is a guide to show where to apply the filter.
I have picked potential ridges in the image.
The idea is to use the lasso selection tool
to make small, irregular horizontal selectionsin the potential ridge area..
Then go to
Filter/Distort/Ocean Ripple.
Set size to 8
Mgnitude to 4
Apply the Crtl+F keyboard shortcut (mentioned in step 7) after each selection
..hitting it several times sometimes has a good effect.
If it doesn't work, key in Ctrl+Z to undo it.
This is my result
Now things are starting to look interesting..but still quite ways to go.
This is the end of part 1
Part two and beyond will deal with lighting, color, Dodge and burn tools,
layer stacking (with modes and special effects), and anything else I can come up with.
I am making this up as I go along, so the technique will have a lot of variation.
In the mean time..experiment with this information as much as you can..the variations are limitless.
Hopefully this tutorial will be as much fun for you as it has been for me.