How to Render Realistic Clouds

Clouds are amazing to behold. The right type of cloud can look gorgeous when the right amount of light is cast upon it. This effect can be recreated when an artist is aware of how to properly use brushes, layers, hues and various filters.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Photoshop

1. 

   Select two blues for the foreground and background colors. Click the gradient tool on the toolbar. Make sure that the gradient is set to linear. Drag the gradient tool vertically from top to bottom.

2. 

   Create a new layer by going to the "Layers" panel and clicking the button "Create New Layer." Go to the "Filter" drop down menu. Select "Render" and click "Clouds."

3. 

   Go to the "Filter" drop down menu. Select "Render" and click "Difference Clouds." Keep repeating this step until you have a white part of the picture that looks like one cloud.

4. 

   Go to the "Adjustments" drop down menu and click "Levels." Set the input levels to 30, 1.00 and 100.

5. 

   Duplicate the layer. Go to the "Filter" drop down menu. Select "Stylize" and click "Extrude." Set the type to "Blocks," the size to 2 and make the depth random. Duplicate this layer.

6. 

   Set the blending modes of both layers to "Screen."

7. 

   Go to the "Filter" drop down menu. Select "Blur" and click "Gaussian Blur."

8. 

   Create a new layer. Select a round brush with an opacity of 45 percent and a flow of 10 percent. Paint over the edges of the clouds with black.

9. 

   Go to the "Select" drop down menu. Click "Color Range." Go over every part of the picture that doesn't have a cloud.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at cloud reference pictures for help creating authentic clouds.
• Do not limit your imagination. Clouds can take all sorts of forms.