How to draw a sunset – SurferToday


Have you ever dreamed of sketching the golden hour? Discover our beginner’s step-by-step guide on how to quickly draw a stunning sunset scenery.

Watching a sunset is like listening to heavenly music. But, are you able to draw the sun setting on the horizon?

If you’re one of those who can’t even draw a straight line, don’t despair. We’ll help you through your first sunset drawing experience.

You can use colored pencils, markers, oil pastels, crayons, acrylic paint, or start with a simple thin graphite pencil.

Are you ready to start drawing a good-looking sunset on the beach and/or over the ocean?

It’s easy. Let’s do it.

Drawing Materials

Option 1

Drawing paper (Stonehenge paper, illustration board, suede board, mat board, or A4 printing paper)
A graphite pencil;
A kneaded eraser;
A colored pencil set

Option 2

A blank white canvas;
A fine permanent marker;
Crayons, oil pastels, acrylic paint, or watercolor paint (aquarelle);
Round, flat and fan brushes;

A simple sunset drawing: all you need is sketch paper and a few colored pencils | Illustration: Creative Commons

Drawing Instructions

1. Draw a straight, horizontal horizon line, from left to right, more or less in the center of the drawing paper – if needed, use a ruler;

2. Start adding a bumpy mountain valley on one side of the picture, converging to the middle of the horizon line;

3. Draw a similar curved valley on the opposite side of your drawing;

4. Draw a circle representing the sun, starting on one side of the mountain valley and ending on the other side;

5. Draw a series of zigzag lines below the sun to represent its reflection on the ocean;

6. Start drawing a palm tree emerging from one side of the valley into the sun’s circle;

7. Draw a few M-shaped sunset birds in the sky and flying across the yellow dwarf star;

8. Add a few wavy lines at an angle across the water to indicate waves;

9. Draw a couple of curved lines at an angle across the sea to illustrate ocean waves.

10. Color the sunset drawing with yellow, orange, pink and purple tones, and add bluish hues to the water;