Creating a pastel watercolor sunset sky with soft, dreamy clouds is an exciting and relaxing experience.
I'll guide you through the process, from setting up your materials to adding the final touches.
Whether you're new to watercolor or a seasoned artist, this step-by-step tutorial will help you create a stunning piece of art that captures the beauty of a sunset sky. Let's get started!
Contents
Materials You'll Need
Before we begin, let me share the exact tools and materials I use. Having the correct setup makes everything easier.
Paper Selection
I'm using a 300gsm cold press and 100% cotton watercolor paper. The texture and absorbency are just right for this wet-on-wet technique.
Today, I go with Canson Moulin du Roy. I tape the paper down on all four sides to keep it flat while I paint.
Brushes for the Painting
Let's talk about brushes next. I use three brushes in this painting:
- A Hake brush to wet the surface.
- A size 12 sable brush (works like a mop brush).
- A smaller size 8 brush for detailed strokes later on.
If you have a mop brush, feel free to use it. The important thing is that the brushes hold enough water and paint for smooth blending.
Paints and Palette Setup
Now, on to paints. I prepare all my colors ahead of time to save time while painting:
- Indigo
- Turquoise
- Light blue
- Naples yellow
- Cadmium yellow orange
- Red
Later, I also use a bit of purple and orange. I prepare warm and cool colors on different sections of my palette to keep them clean.
Water Setup
Don't forget to prepare two glasses of clean water—one for cool colors and one for warm colors. This simple step keeps your colors fresh and prevents them from turning muddy.
Layer One: Building the Base Sky
With everything ready, it's time to paint the first layer. This part is all about laying down colors while the paper is still wet.
Prepping the Paper
I begin by using a Hake brush to wet the entire surface of the paper. I make sure every spot is fully covered and glossy.
There shouldn't be any dry patches. I tilt the paper under the light to check for an even shine.
This step is super important because it helps the colors flow and blend smoothly later. I take my time here—it sets the stage for a soft, dreamy sky.
Mixing and Laying Out Colors
Now that my paper is thoroughly wet, it's time to lay down the base colors. This step moves fast, so I always prepare my paints in advance.
I start by mixing my cool colors—indigo, turquoise, and a bit of light blue. These will go to the top of the sky.
Before I begin painting, I separate my colors on the palette: warm at the bottom and cool at the top. That keeps everything neat and easy to grab.
Next, I mix Naples yellow, some cadmium yellow-orange, and some red. Mix enough paint beforehand if you're working on a large piece like mine.
You don't want to be mixing while the paper starts to dry—that can leave harsh marks.
Once that's ready, I wet the paper one last time and begin with indigo at the top. I quickly move from indigo into turquoise, then blend into light blue.
As I move down, I add more water to my brush for a softer look.
Now, I drop in Naples yellow, where the cloud bottoms will be warm. I also review some parts of the cloud shapes since their lower edges catch the yellow glow.
There's also a hint of yellow at the top, so I gently add it with a clean brush.
I wash my brush well before switching to blue tones—this step is crucial to avoid muddying the colors.
Then I move on to red. I follow the reference photo closely, adding red where I see it and mixing red and blue to create soft purple.
As I let the purple flow downward, I rotate the paper to help the colors move and blend naturally. This gives the sky a dreamy, flowing feel.
I notice some orange near the top, so I add that too.
Even though I originally planned to add clouds later, I realize the paper is still wet enough. So I go ahead and paint red in some of the cloud shapes now.
I use yellow for highlights and lift out a few areas with a clean brush before dropping in more yellow.
The paper starts to dry, but I still add a little purple. At this point, I use a dry brush technique—less water, more pigment—for stronger, more defined marks.
Finally, once the paper is almost dry, I pause.
I dry the entire first layer with a hair dryer to speed things up. Then, it's time to get ready for the next layer.
Layer Two: Defining the Clouds and Adding Shadows
With the first layer completely dry, I'm ready to move on to the second one. But before I start, I make sure to change my water.
Fresh water helps keep the colors clean, which is especially important at this stage.
I gently wet the entire paper like I did for the first layer. I use my Hague brush this time because it has soft bristles that don't disturb the dry base underneath.
That's important—I want to keep the smooth blend from the first layer untouched.
Once the paper is wet, I start working on the darker values to define the shadows in the clouds. I use purple first, then play with a bit of red to deepen the tones.
I even paint a small cloud near the top and let some red flow out. At this point, I'm not strictly following the reference photo anymore. I let my intuition guide me.
I add color where I feel the painting needs more contrast or detail. It's a more creative stage—less technical, more personal.
I also pay attention to the moisture of the paper. It's starting to dry, so I know I must wrap up soon. I decide to darken the bottom area a little more for balance.
That's it for the second layer. I give the painting a final dry.
And that’s it—we’ve just finished our dreamy sunset sky painting! Hope you had a relaxing time blending those soft colors.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed painting this soft pastel sunset sky with me. Using the wet-on-wet technique, we created smooth blends and dreamy clouds step by step.
With the right tools, careful layering, and a bit of intuition, you can bring any sky to life. Keep practicing, stay playful, and let your creativity flow with every brushstroke!