First Project: A Tuscan Landscape

This is a comissioned piece I recently did.  It's a very large 24 x 36, but you could do it on a smaller canvas.  Start by brushing on a layer of gesso where your sky will be, then paint on your blue using a large brush.  Try to keep it more saturated at the top, letting the color fade toward the horizon.  Let dry, then add clouds, however you want.  I like to underpaint a layer of muted grey, tan and peach, so there's some color showing behind the white.  The main tip to painting realistic clouds is lots of blending!  You don't want any sharp edges, except maybe at the top.  Add dabs of pure white to highlight.  Let your sky dry, then get ready for step two!