How to Paint a Sunset on a Canvas

A simple sunset

To paint a sunset on canvas, the painter simply needs to invest some time and follow some simple steps. With concentration and an open mind, you can create your own sunset. A sunset can be portrayed in a wide variety of ways, so the color is different in each one. You can use the real sunset, or a picture for reference if you like. Practice is always a good way to develop your skills as a sunset painter.

Things You'll Need

• Paintbrushes
• Canvas
• Two water containers
• Paint (acrylic or watercolor)
• Colors: red, yellow, blue, black, white, and others if desired
• Palette
• Wax paper or plastic wrap over cardboard (optional)
• Newspaper or plastic wrap
• Lacquer or sealant, if desired.

Instructions

Painting a Sunset on Canvas

1. Choose the size of your canvas. A standard size to start with is 9 inches by 12 inches. Other popular sizes are 12 inches by 16 inches and 18 inches by 24 inches. Canvases come wrapped around a wooden frame, or they are flat around cardboard.

2. Set up your materials. Cover your painting area with newspaper or plastic wrap. Give yourself at least 8 inches all the way around your canvas to place your materials. Set one water container, such as a cup, on one side of the canvas along with your paper towels or rags. Set up your paints, mixing surface and the other water container on the opposite side.

3. Choose your composition. Painting a sunset depends upon the setting of your piece. A sunset in an Arizona desert, for example, is different from one in the mountains of Montana or an ocean sunset in Florida. Your composition reflects the elements of the landscape you are painting. Landscapes are characterized as having a foreground, middle ground and background. Sunsets are the background, while the horizon is the middle ground. A foreground, or the subject matter in front of the sunset, is optional.

4. 

   Mix your colors on your paint palette. If you don't have a palette, try using wax paper or plastic wrap over a piece of sturdy cardboard. Mix your paint with water for an even consistency. Combine red and yellow to create a variety of oranges and red-oranges. White can be mixed in to create lighter colors. A variety of blues together with white will create sky blue colors. Mix a very small amount of black to the blue to create a darker horizon or clouds.

5. Paint your sunset. Draw your horizon line lightly with a pencil. Experiment with the colors you mixed. The closer to the horizon line, the more vivid your color should be. For example, the horizon will be the brightest orange or red-orange. The color will fade upward. At the top of the canvas, you can use a light or dark blue to emphasize the orange of the horizon. Last, paint the land or water in front of the sunset.

6. Finish your painting. Allow acrylic six hours to dry fully. Lightly coat the entire painting with a sealant or lacquer.

Tips & Warnings

• Each shade you mix on your palette will dry two or three shades darker than the color applied. Use water to blend the colors together to create a seamless mix from the bottom to the top. Clouds are white on top and accented with oranges on the bottom, or they are fully pigmented in pinks, oranges and yellows. Keep your brushes wet while in use and rinse them thoroughly in warm water when finished.

• Acrylics are toxic and their use should be supervised.