Clouds Revisted

Now with a change in my work routine I drive into the sun each way to and from work. It fits right in with my fascination with clouds. I read a post on the wet canvass forum about doing 100 paintings focusing on one aspect to develop that skill. The poster was focusing on waves. While I would like to focus on clouds I don't know if I will actually do 100. Actually, I do know I won't. On my last try I wanted to develop a predawn shot where the sunlight is already hitting the clouds. A scene I am not unfamiliar with. I was not happy with the results at all. Having not painted since July I decided yesterday to give it another try. This is the result.

I achieved more of the effect I was looking for. As a painting goes, it's no great shakes as much as an exorcise. Here is a larger image which will show each nitty gritty detail.

The one thing in addition to the light was not to over blend. It is an amateurish mistake and kills all contrast and definition. These exorcises are being done on 4x6 canvass boards. They are cheap enough and I will probably paint over it anyway. Watching the clouds as I do (i know it's weird) they are very rarely just white. They're white, blue, grey, yellow, orange, red, purple and violet. I frequently catch myself stopping to look at the sky and wonder to myself; how would I paint that? It is a big benefit to working outdoors again. I love it.
I kept looking over the larger image and decided to "edit" it. I did some light stippling  with a dry brush to soften the highlights and blend the purple and yellow on the cloud at the top left. Now I am happy with it.