How to paint soft skies

Three calm steps for a sky that fades gently from light to deep, with Watercolor and a lighter shade.

1. Start light, near the horizon

Choose Watercolor and a pale colour, such as a light blue or a soft yellow. Lower the strength to about half.

Paint long, sideways strokes just above the hills. Keep "Stay inside the lines" on and your paint stays in the sky.

Pick the same colour, then press Darker in the shades row. Paint the top of the sky with broad strokes, overlapping the pale band a little.

Watercolor builds up where strokes overlap, so the join softens by itself.

Skies look lighter and more alive when a few gaps show the paper. Stop before it feels finished, then press Finish and compare before and after.