How did John Constable show changing weather in his landscape paintings?

John Constable demonstrated a remarkable capacity to capture the fleeting and dramatic effects of weather in his landscapes, particularly through his dedicated study of the skies.1

His approach to depicting changing weather included:

• Cloud Studies: While living in Hampstead, Constable focused extensively on the sky, creating unique cloud studies that accurately documented meteorological phenomena and the momentary qualities of changeable weather.2
• Oil Sketches: He used oil sketches extensively and intensively to record natural appearances, which allowed him to capture the immediacy of light and atmosphere.13
• Technique: In his later works, he employed a muted palette and short, sensitive brushstrokes to suggest specific moments of light, such as the "white and golden light" of a summer evening. As his career progressed, his paint surfaces became increasingly fractured, using vibrant, luminous colors to evoke the physical experience of nature.32

These studies of light and atmosphere were essential to his work, allowing him to move beyond static representation to capture the dynamic, shifting realities of the natural environment.23