by Frank Glodek

 All Images and Graphics Copyright © 2004 
Welcome to my first attempt at creating a tutorial! I have scoured the web for good inspiration in making environments and landscape images, but the lack of them was rather disheartening. So, I figured I'd practice some and create one for other people to enjoy! This image was composed entirely in Photoshop 7.0 and used only some simple layers, gradients,  and brushstrokes, so I would rank this as a BEGINNER tutorial. 

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 Step 1: For this image I created a new file (size 1000 w x 400 h) with a white background (not transparent) and selected a nice "Sunny Day-Sky" color from the palette. I selected the gradient tool (Ctrl+G), made sure it was on color to transparent mode. The other setting for this tool were on the linear gradient (to get a smooth spread) and on 50% Opacity. I spread the gradient by selecting the top middle of the image and dragging past the bottom of the image. I repeated this several times until I was satisfied with the gradient layout.                                                
   
Step 2: Next I created a new layer above my blue background and named it "Cloud Base". I then selected a nice soft brush and set the opacity and flow at 50%. Then I selected white as my foreground color. 
   
Step 3: Then I opened up the brush menu (you can use the little checklist icon on the top right beside the "File Browser" tab). 

For the clouds, I wanted a slight amount of jitter as my shape dynamics because you can really get some nice effects when using a tablet. I'm sure you can accomplish a similar look with just a mouse.

 

and proceeded to lightly sketch in where I wanted my clouds. 

Note: At this stage, I just want to get a feel for where the clouds feel right. You don't want to plop the cloud right in the middle. Try for a dynamic angle such as diagonally lengthwise or use a tall canvas and build clouds up to a top corner.

 
   
Step 4: Finally, we can begin some drawing. Here is where I proceeded to lightly sketch in where I wanted my clouds. 

Note: At this stage, I just want to get a feel for where the clouds feel right. You don't want to plop the cloud right in the middle. Try for a dynamic angle such as diagonally lengthwise or use a tall canvas and build clouds up to a top corner.

 
   

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