DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.2086#0094
SKY, ATMOSPHERE, CLOUDS, &c. 81
Happily for those who use water colours, this important portion of the labours
of the artist is, by the medium employed, rendered much less difficult of execution
to them than to the painter in oil; as they can, with comparative ease, gain the
effect of air and distance. Indeed, we have, in our modern water-colour paintings,
many works far superior in these qualities to any pictures bequeathed to us by the
most celebrated of the old masters.
Before commencing the artistic study of clouds, the student would do well to
examine the causes regulating their appearance; for the latter are by no means
fitful or irregular, but, on the contrary, nature here as elsewhere is true to herself
and obedient to immutable laws. To avoid making any serious mistake, or intro-
ducing clouds into pictures at times and in situations when and where they could
not possibly appear, the different varieties should be classified ; for which purpose,
the mind, whilst viewing them in nature, should be directed to their connexion with
the other circumstances of the time or season, so that pictorial incongruities may be
avoided. In our observations of clouds and sky we may often take a hint from the
experience of country people, who, though ignorant of the practice of art, are often
accurate observers, and, from their out-door life, have abundant opportunities of
studying the changing effects of nature.
Although there is more expanse of sky visible from a plain than a valley, clouds
are seen to greater advantage in a mountainous country—the difference of elevation
affects their forms, and the consequent changes of light produce a variety which is
in union with the scene depicted. Crags and trees give many occasions of marking
both the features of the country and the nature of the aerial effects which such
scenes produce.
Clouds, as usually classed, are in accordance with the heights at which they
appear. Thus, at the greatest elevation is the cirrus, a light filmy cloud appearing
in serene weather. The cumulus, or heaped cloud, comes next in order; it has a
rounded, well-defined shape above, and is moderately flat below: this description of
cloud is generally visible in the afternoon, and presents many very beautiful forms
and colours towards sunset, when it disappears. When occurring alone, this cloud
generally accompanies fair weather, and, from its density, casts very refreshing
shadows on the earth; but, when united with the stratus, more frequently indicates
rain. The stratus, or third kind of cloud, appears as a low, flat mist, often formed
by the sinking of masses of vapour in the evening.
To these may be added the cirro-cumulus, forming a very beautiful appearance,
sometimes called mackerel sky ; and also the small ragged clouds occasionally seen
sailing through the air, which are called scud. They indicate rain, and maybe either
light or dark according to the amount of light they receive from the sun. When-
M
Happily for those who use water colours, this important portion of the labours
of the artist is, by the medium employed, rendered much less difficult of execution
to them than to the painter in oil; as they can, with comparative ease, gain the
effect of air and distance. Indeed, we have, in our modern water-colour paintings,
many works far superior in these qualities to any pictures bequeathed to us by the
most celebrated of the old masters.
Before commencing the artistic study of clouds, the student would do well to
examine the causes regulating their appearance; for the latter are by no means
fitful or irregular, but, on the contrary, nature here as elsewhere is true to herself
and obedient to immutable laws. To avoid making any serious mistake, or intro-
ducing clouds into pictures at times and in situations when and where they could
not possibly appear, the different varieties should be classified ; for which purpose,
the mind, whilst viewing them in nature, should be directed to their connexion with
the other circumstances of the time or season, so that pictorial incongruities may be
avoided. In our observations of clouds and sky we may often take a hint from the
experience of country people, who, though ignorant of the practice of art, are often
accurate observers, and, from their out-door life, have abundant opportunities of
studying the changing effects of nature.
Although there is more expanse of sky visible from a plain than a valley, clouds
are seen to greater advantage in a mountainous country—the difference of elevation
affects their forms, and the consequent changes of light produce a variety which is
in union with the scene depicted. Crags and trees give many occasions of marking
both the features of the country and the nature of the aerial effects which such
scenes produce.
Clouds, as usually classed, are in accordance with the heights at which they
appear. Thus, at the greatest elevation is the cirrus, a light filmy cloud appearing
in serene weather. The cumulus, or heaped cloud, comes next in order; it has a
rounded, well-defined shape above, and is moderately flat below: this description of
cloud is generally visible in the afternoon, and presents many very beautiful forms
and colours towards sunset, when it disappears. When occurring alone, this cloud
generally accompanies fair weather, and, from its density, casts very refreshing
shadows on the earth; but, when united with the stratus, more frequently indicates
rain. The stratus, or third kind of cloud, appears as a low, flat mist, often formed
by the sinking of masses of vapour in the evening.
To these may be added the cirro-cumulus, forming a very beautiful appearance,
sometimes called mackerel sky ; and also the small ragged clouds occasionally seen
sailing through the air, which are called scud. They indicate rain, and maybe either
light or dark according to the amount of light they receive from the sun. When-
M