I’ve always loved sketching scenes from nature that feel like they’re moving – wind pushing trees, water shifting colors, light shifting across the sky. One of my favorite subjects to draw is a sunset with colored pencils, not because it’s easy, but because it’s always changing and full of surprises.
I don’t follow formulas when I draw. I look at what’s really there, squinting at the large color shapes first, then slowly working my way into the finer details as I get deeper into the drawing. It’s a loose, expressive process. I’m not aiming for photorealism—I’m trying to capture the feeling of the light, the temperature of the sky, the edges between clouds, and how they all shift together.
I studied traditional 2D character animation at CalArts, so a lot of my approach comes from that foundation – thinking about shape, flow, contrast, and emotion, not just outlines. Colored pencils are perfect for this kind of work because they let you build slowly, glaze color over color, and keep that tactile control as you refine or experiment.
Key Points
- Squint first, draw second – Reduce the scene into big color shapes and focus on value relationships before fine details.
- Layer colors softly – Build depth by overlapping strokes from different directions, avoiding heavy pressure early on.
- Let the sky guide the mood – Don’t overthink clouds or silhouettes; stay present and loose to keep the drawing fresh.
Observational Tips for Drawing a Sunset with Colored Pencils
Before you even start sketching, spend a few minutes just observing. Whether you're working from life or a reference photo, I recommend squinting to simplify the values. What are the biggest shapes of color? Where is the lightest light? Where do the warms shift into cools?
Instead of treating the sky like a smooth gradient from top to bottom, I try to see how color bands shift diagonally or organically. Sometimes you get streaks of gold, and other times the whole sky looks washed out except for one glowing patch. Pay attention to that.
Another thing to look for is contrast. Is the sunset soft and gentle, or are there bold silhouettes and sharp edges? That will shape how much detail you need later.
I’m not worried about “realism” here – I want my drawing to feel alive.
Using colored pencils for expressive work like this means you’ll want a good balance between soft layering and bold accents. If you’re just getting started, my guide on using colored pencils for beginners might help set up your materials and mindset.
Materials I Use for Sunset Drawings
You don’t need a massive set to make beautiful sunset drawings, but having a decent range of warm and cool tones helps.
Here’s what I typically use:
- Colored pencils: I rotate between Faber-Castell and Prismacolor, depending on the feel I want. Faber-Castell pencils are harder and better for precision, while Prismacolors are creamy and ideal for layering soft color.
- Paper: Smooth paper tends to resist layering. I like a toothy surface with enough texture to grip the pigment but not so rough that it eats the pencils. I share some of my favorites in this best paper for colored pencils article.
- Sharpener: A clean point makes a huge difference. It keeps edges crisp and allows you to press lightly while still laying down color. I covered my go-to options in the best pencil sharpener for colored pencils guide.
Sometimes I mix in watercolor colored pencils to block in soft background gradients quickly before going over them with dry pencil. It adds a watercolor effect without fully switching mediums, and it saves time on large areas like the sky.
My Step-by-Step Process for Drawing a Sunset
This isn’t a formula, but it’s how I tend to approach these kinds of drawings. It's loose, adaptable, and centered around observation.
1. Block in Big Shapes of Color
I start by identifying the biggest chunks of color: maybe it’s a warm orange near the horizon, fading into a pink midsection, and then a cooler purple or deep blue near the top.
At this point, I’m not drawing any details. I’m just squinting, seeing the divisions of color, and lightly blocking them in. I use long, relaxed strokes that follow the flow of the sky. If it feels a little messy or uneven at first, that’s okay—you can adjust as you layer.
Don’t worry about blending yet. Just get the colors roughly in the right places and let the pencil marks be visible.
2. Layer and Blend Gradually
This is where colored pencils shine. I layer softly, moving in different directions to fill the tooth of the paper and build depth.
Instead of reaching for a darker version of a color right away, I layer complementary or analogous colors on top. A pale orange over light pink, a soft lavender glazed on top of blue—those subtle transitions make the sky feel more natural.
I don’t press hard in the beginning. If you go heavy too early, it’s harder to blend and adjust. If you want smoother transitions and techniques, I recommend checking out techniques for coloring with colored pencils.
If you’re getting frustrated by tiny white specks showing through, I wrote more on that in my guide to how to color without white spots.
3. Add Cloud Forms and Silhouettes Last
Once the colors feel solid, I start thinking about the clouds and silhouettes. I don’t outline them directly—I let them emerge by softening one edge, darkening another, or lifting a bit of pigment with an eraser. I want it to feel like the clouds are part of the sky, not pasted on top.
I also add any darker foreground elements last: trees, rooflines, mountain edges. These should feel like they’re sitting in front of the color, not merged with it.
For extra richness, I sometimes burnish parts of the drawing using a light-colored pencil or a colorless blender. You can learn more in this post on burnishing with colored pencils.
Keep Your Pencil Strokes Expressive
For me, sunsets are about mood. I don't want my lines to feel stiff or overworked. I keep my hand moving, letting strokes curve or overlap. Sometimes I scribble in an area, then glaze a lighter color over the top to pull it together.
I avoid trying to make everything smooth and perfect. When you let the pencil strokes show, especially if they follow the light flow of the sky, the drawing feels more alive.
If you're experimenting with other tools or textures—like combining colored pencils and markers or trying different surfaces like canvas—I shared more in can you use colored pencils on canvas.
Explore and Experiment with Color Sets
You don’t need hundreds of pencils, but having a good set makes it easier to experiment. If you're looking to upgrade, I compared my favorite colored pencils sets and also shared my go-to best colored pencils for artists.
I also dive into the odd side of things, like erasable colored pencils (yes, they exist) and how Ticonderoga’s erasable colored pencils perform in actual use.
You can explore the full world of this medium on my main colored pencils page.