If you look at Venus with magnification, as I am sure many here have, it is between half illuminated down to a crescent illumination.
Haven’t done it in years, but have found the best time to observe Venus in its crescent phases is actually during the daytime. However, the planet needs to be sufficiently far away from the Sun in the sky so that you can do it safely. I use a building or other structur to block out the sun. Because during her sunset (evening star) or sunrise (morning star) appearances she is way too bright and glaring to make out the crescent. But during the day, if you know where to look and can do it safely, it is a truly amazing sight.
Last time I did it was in New York’s Central Park, near the Great Lawn. There I am on a bright sunny day with my large tripod-mounted binocs looking up at what most surely believed was an empty blue sky.
A guy walks up to me and asks what the heck are you looking? I told him and allowed him to take a look. He was shocked! The guy was comedian Jerry Seinfeld! I had thought he looked familiar when he began approaching me, but wasn’t sure until he close closer. He hung around for about a half hour, but I never let him know that I knew who he was. I think he appreciated that.