Drawing the Sky - Choosing Tonal Values

Don't keep pussyfooting around clouds and sky. Ok, so they can look soft and fluffy, but really, they are just a collection of shapes and values, the same as anything else you want to draw. To help loosen up and get more vigorous with your sky drawing, try doing some studies in charcoal. Don't be tentative but use the charcoal firmly, with strong, confident marks. Choose blue-and-white cloudy skies and render them in black-and-white. Use an eraser to lift where needed, but avoid too much blending and smudging. See if you can use your charcoal marks and reserved whites to create strong, three-dimensional cloud forms.