How to Do a Sunset painting Step by Step


Learn how to paint a sunset painting step by step. Painting a sunset is a relaxing and enjoyable time. This a great sunset painting step by step for a beginner painter. Here is how to do a sunset painting step by step below. 

Sunset Painting Step by Step- Supplies and Getting Started:

Supplies Needed:

  •  Canvas or canvas board 

  • Cup of water 

  • Palette 

  • Cloth rag 

  • Acrylic Paint - cadmium red, mars black, titanium white, cadmium yellow, cobalt blue, Alizarin crismson, phthalo blue 

  • flat one inch brush 

  • round detail brush 

  • round #6 brush

  • Palette knife 





This is a sunset painting step by step tutorial using a palette knife. If you prefer to watch the tutorial -click on the video below! 


To learn about the difference between plastic and metal palette knives and how to use a palette knife -watch the video below.


Sunset Painting Step by Step


Step 1- Painting the Background


With your one inch brush you are going to paint the background on your canvas or canvas board. Begin by using a bright orange or mixing your own orange with red and yellow. Paint your sky with smooth, long horizontal strokes. You can add a bit of water to create a wash. You can add some yellow and green to the wash. Paint the sky covering half of the canvas or canvas board. Bring some of those colours to the water as well. Add some phthalo blue mixed with white for the water on the bottom half of the canvas -painting in the same way as you painted the sky. 




If you haven’t painted a background before -you can watch this introductory video on how to paint backgrounds in acrylics. 


Click here to read about the best palette knives to use.



Step 2- Painting the Clouds with a Palette Knife 


Start by mixing white and black together and using palette knife to create a dabbing stroke on the top of the canvas. Allow parts of the sky to show through. Add some of the colours of the clouds reflected in the water. 


Step 3 - Paint the Sunset 

Using a bright red you can paint the sunset using your palette knife. With a detail round brush and some white paint you can paint a dot in the centre where the sun would be. Add some of the red into the water as a reflection of the sunset. 

Step 4- Paint the Rocks

Using your number 6 round brush you can paint the rocks. You can paint your rocks by mixing brown or grey and adding a little shadow by mixing some black towards the bottom of the rocks.


If you like this sunset painting step by step tutorial be sure to like the video on YouTube and subscribe to my channel by clicking on the button below. 




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