Create your own colourful summer sunset

To create the sky, start by layering the Oil Pastels. Nicola combines rich pinks, purples and blues, layering and blending the colours together to create a warm sunset sky. Allow the colours to overlap to create a softer, more expressive effect.

Bring the sunset to life with vibrant oranges and yellows. Layer the colours around the sun to create the warm glow of the setting sun, blending them into the surrounding sky to add depth and movement.

For the sea, Nicola uses turquoise and blue Oil Pastels, building up layers of colour to create a bright, tropical feel. Add lighter highlights across the surface to give the impression of sunlight reflecting and shimmering on the water.

Complete the scene with silhouetted palm trees, adding contrast against the colourful sky and giving the postcard a tropical feel. The bold Oil Pastel colours make it easy to build up layers and create a scene that feels full of warmth and summer atmosphere.

Once the sunset is complete, add a personal finishing touch. Nicola uses a Pentel Brush Sign Pen to hand-letter “Collecting Sunsets”.

Your summer sunset postcard is now complete! Experiment with different colour combinations, blend shades together and create your own sunset scene inspired by those warm summer evenings by the sea.

Lettering & Calligraphy Artist: Nicola Bufton