Summary: An approximate theoretical model for nonuniform absorption of the external thermal radiation in a large semi-transparent spherical particle is suggested. As applied to heat transfer problems with diffuse radiation in the wide spectral range, the asymmetric illumination of single particle is considered at each spectral interval as a uniform illumination from backward and forward hemispheres (with respect to the direction of spectral radiation flux). The Mie theory is employed in calculations for particles illuminated from a hemisphere. The modified differential approximation suggested earlier by the author is used in the case of spherically symmetric illumination. Approximate analytical relations for distribution of absorbed radiation power inside a particle are obtained. Results of calculations for typical polydisperse sprays of water and diesel fuel droplets are presented.