[Tom Railton]

Big thanks to you also, poth, that’s a great help!

It seems that what we’re arriving at is, as you say: “Did he paint it as it really was or add in a bit of light and shade drama?”

I’m working on the assumption that in most cases the clouds are provided for aesthetic or empathetic ‘atmosphere’ rather than for true-to-life depictions of the conditions on the day, though that would, of course depend on ‘the day’ or in fact ‘ the moment’ that those clouds looked the way they did, to that painter – tricky thing to pin down.

I’ve recently been in touch with John Thornes about his work in the area of ‘cultural climatology’, which includes analysis of Constable’s cloud studies, as well as other artists’ representations of skies throughput history – makes for interesting reading if you’re looking for more: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/223886705_Cultural_climatology_and_the_representation_of_sky_atmosphere_weather_and_climate_in_selected_art_works_of_Constable_Monet_and_Eliasson

[Tom Railton]

Thanks hygge for the technical advice as well as the observations!

Any further insight form members would be much appreciated!

Tom

[Tom Railton]

Hi Gavin,

Thanks for the welcome! I’ve uploaded some images, in (I think) the correct manner; if anyone has any clues as to what the formations/types might be that are depicted, I’d love to know!

Some appear (to me, an amateur) to be relatively ‘realistic’ or fairly representational, if idealised versions of what the clouds may well have been at a given place on a given day, but others just for decoration or mood embellishment!

Love to know more!

[Author]

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