Have you ever looked up at the sky and felt a pull to capture the sun’s amazing glow on paper? It is a pretty common feeling, you know. Because of how useful and beautiful the sun is, it has featured in many cultures and countless artworks, leaving many to wonder how to draw a sun themselves. People often want to put that shining warmth into their own pictures.
Learning how to draw the sun is a really fun project for many people. This is a great activity for younger artists, for sure. It is also quite simple and doesn’t really require any special skills to get started. You can just pick up a pencil and begin.
In this beginner's guide, I will show you how to draw the sun in easy steps with four styles. We will discover how to draw the earth’s sun shining bright with your drawing materials. You can create a stunning sun drawing, too. Get started with this tutorial to draw suns of all shapes!
Table of Contents
- Why Put the Sun in Your Art?
- Getting Your Materials Ready
- Style 1: The Simple Circle Sun
- Style 2: The Sun with a Friendly Face and Rays
- Style 3: The Dynamic, Fiery Sun
- Style 4: Unique and Cartoon Suns
- The Sun in Art and Culture
- Drawing the Sun Digitally
- Frequently Asked Questions About Drawing the Sun
Why Put the Sun in Your Art?
The sun is more than just a bright ball in the sky; it brings light and warmth. It is a symbol of so many things, like happiness, energy, and new beginnings. So, when you draw the sun, you are adding a bit of that good feeling to your artwork. It is a way to make your pictures feel warm and inviting.
Many people, like your younger artists, find joy in drawing familiar things. The sun is something we see almost every day, so it feels natural to draw it. It can really level up your skills and add a sunny touch to your creations!
Getting Your Materials Ready
You don't need a lot of special things to start drawing the sun. You probably have most of what you need already. We are using construction paper in some examples, but you can simply use white paper and color your drawing at the end, which is pretty easy.
Grab some pencils, maybe an eraser, and some coloring tools. Crayons, colored pencils, or markers work just fine. You might also want a round object, like a cup or a coin, to help you draw a nice circle. That is, if you want a perfectly round sun, of course.
Style 1: The Simple Circle Sun
This is the most basic way to draw a sun, and it is a great starting point for anyone. It is really just a circle with some lines coming out. This style is quite recognizable and very friendly looking. You will find it in lots of drawings, as a matter of fact.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Start by drawing a circle in the middle of your paper. You can draw it freehand, or you can use a round object to trace it. A cup or a roll of tape works really well for this. Make it as big or as small as you want your sun to be.
Step 2: Add Straight Rays
Now, draw straight lines coming out from all around your circle. Think of them like spokes on a wheel, you know. Try to make them somewhat even in length and spacing. These lines are the sun's rays, giving off its light.
Step 3: Color Your Sun
Use yellow or orange to fill in your circle. Then, color the rays the same way. You could also use a lighter yellow for the rays and a deeper orange for the circle itself. This really makes it pop.
Tips for this style:
- Keep your lines light at first so you can erase any mistakes.
- You can make the rays different lengths for a more playful look.
- This simple sun is perfect for adding to a quick drawing of a house or a landscape.
Style 2: The Sun with a Friendly Face and Rays
This sun style is very popular, especially for drawings that feel happy and cheerful. Let’s draw the sun with a smile, eyes, and bright rays. It is basically a simple sun that seems to be saying hello. This kind of sun can really brighten up any picture.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Just like before, start with a good circle. This will be the main body of your sun. Make sure it is a size that allows you to add features inside it.
Step 2: Add a Face
Inside the circle, draw two small circles for the eyes. You can add tiny dots inside for pupils. Below the eyes, draw a curved line for a happy smile. You can even add a little nose, like a small dot or a tiny curve.
Step 3: Draw Alternating Rays
This is where it gets a little different. Instead of just straight lines, draw alternating long and short rays around the circle. So, you draw a long ray, then a short ray, then a long ray, and so on. This gives the sun a somewhat more dynamic look.
Step 4: Color It In
Color the sun's body yellow. You might want to use a slightly darker yellow or orange for the rays. The face details can stay uncolored or be lightly shaded. This really makes the sun feel alive.
Tips for this style:
- Experiment with different expressions for the face. Maybe a sleepy sun or a surprised sun.
- The rays can be pointed or rounded at the ends.
- This sun is great for birthday cards or pictures of happy outdoor scenes.
Style 3: The Dynamic, Fiery Sun
This style tries to show the sun’s amazing energy and warmth. It is less about a cartoon look and more about capturing its fiery essence and dynamic rays, bringing this celestial giant to life. You will use more wavy lines and perhaps some shading here.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Draw a Slightly Irregular Circle
Start with a circle, but don't worry if it's not perfectly round. A slightly wobbly circle can actually make it feel more organic and natural, you know. This gives it a bit more character.
Step 2: Add Wavy Rays
Instead of straight lines, draw wavy or flame-like shapes coming out from the circle. Think of little "S" curves or pointed, flickering shapes. Make them different lengths and widths to show movement. Be sure to observe the different sizes and shapes contained in the example drawing, if you have one.
Step 3: Layer Your Rays
Add another layer of wavy rays behind the first set. These can be slightly shorter or a different color to create a sense of depth. This really gives the feeling of heat radiating out.
Step 4: Use Warm Colors and Shading
Use a mix of yellows, oranges, and even some reds. You can shade the center of the sun with a deeper orange or red, then blend it out to yellow at the edges. The rays can have different shades too, making them look like flickering flames. This is where you really capture the fiery look.
Tips for this style:
- Use lighter pressure for the initial sketch lines.
- Blending colors smoothly will make it look more like fire.
- This sun is perfect for pictures that need a powerful light source, like a sunrise or sunset.
Style 4: Unique and Cartoon Suns
This approach lets you be super creative. You can make your sun look like anything you want! Learn how to draw unique sun designs in 3 simple steps plus 40 idea starters. Would you like to adorn your artwork or belongings with a little sunshine? This is the way to do it, honestly.
Step-by-Step Instructions (General for Unique Suns):
Step 1: Pick a Basic Shape
Instead of a circle, what if your sun was a square? Or a star shape? Maybe even a cloud with a face peeking out? The main body can be anything. This is where your imagination really comes into play.
Step 2: Add Character Elements
Give your sun a personality. Maybe it has sunglasses, or a hat. Perhaps it has little arms and legs. You could even draw it holding something, like a tiny beach ball. This is where the fun really starts, you know.
Step 3: Design Unique Rays or Effects
The "rays" don't have to be lines. They could be spirals, dots, little hearts, or even other small shapes. Think about how the sun's light might look in a very playful way. You could also make it look like it is sparkling.
40 Idea Starters for Unique Suns:
- A sun wearing a crown.
- A sun with a mustache.
- A sun shaped like a flower.
- A sun with a grumpy face.
- A sun with glasses.
- A sun that looks like a cookie.
- A sun with curly rays.
- A sun made of bubbles.
- A sun with rainbow rays.
- A sun sleeping on a cloud.
- A sun with tiny stars for rays.
- A sun that looks like a pizza.
- A sun with a big, open mouth.
- A sun with a superhero cape.
- A sun that is also a clock.
- A sun with a big nose.
- A sun that looks like a hot air balloon.
- A sun with musical notes for rays.
- A sun with a tiny umbrella.
- A sun made of interlocking gears.
- A sun with a pirate eye patch.
- A sun that is also a donut.
- A sun with little wings.
- A sun that looks like a jigsaw puzzle piece.
- A sun with a big, bushy beard.
- A sun that is also a light bulb.
- A sun with a tiny halo.
- A sun that looks like a fluffy pillow.
- A sun with a silly tongue sticking out.
- A sun that is also a disco ball.
- A sun with little hands waving.
- A sun that looks like a giant button.
- A sun with a tiny chef's hat.
- A sun that is also a pinwheel.
- A sun with a bow tie.
- A sun that looks like a giant lollipop.
- A sun with a tiny microphone.
- A sun that is also a target.
- A sun with a
