I painted the picture on the left a number of years ago. I thought it would make a great Instructable for children. So I simplified the process. Pictured are the two versions

Step 1: MATERIALS

A CANVAS

PURPLE ACRYLIC PAINT (OR SPRAY PAINT)

YELLOW ACRYLIC PAINT (OR SPRAY PAINT)

WHITE ACRYLIC PAINT

BLACK ACRYLIC PAINT

BRUSHES

Step 2: EASY EASEL

I made a simple easel. If you cut the wood to size, your child can assemble this easel using only glue. I've annotated the steps for assembly on each picture.

SKIP THIS IF The child prefers to paint on a flat surface like a table or the floor and not with the picture standing up.

Step 3: PAINT THE SKY

The secret to the sky is NOT to make it one solid color. I used spray paint which automatically leaves light and dark spaces. If the child uses a brush, have them* dab the paint on. Just put paint on the end of a wide brush and "stab" the top 2/3rds of the canvas creating a mottled effect.

* I'm so old school I almost said "him" instead of the currently accept gender neutral. I'd like to propose some new words to truly come full circle. Himher, hishers, heshe, shim, herm. And don't you dare get me started on ALRIGHT! All right? Nuf said.

Step 4: THE STARS

Cover the bottom 1/3rd of the painting, dip a smaller brush into the white paint and "flick" the brush to disburse drops of paint on the purple sky. These dots will be the stars. Paint the bottom third in yellow, again, not covering the canvas but leaving dark and light areas by gently "sweeping" the brush across the bottom of the painting until the desired effect is reached. Spray paint does this automatically. IMPORTANT: the yellow lines should be level across the bottom of the painting. Add shooting starts by dipping the point of a pencil in white paint and using a straight edge and placing the pencil point with paint on it on the canvass then dragging the pencil toward the top of the painting. These shooting stars should be parallel for the best effect.

Step 5: THE GROUND

Using black paint and a brush and repeating the "stabbing method" used previously, stab the bush along the bottom creating trees and bushes by once again leaving light and dark spaces., Then when satisfied, paint the very bottom solid black. Add sticks and twigs with a liner brush.

Step 6: THE TREE, THE OWL, AND THE COMPLETED PAINTING

Using black paint and a thin liner brush, paint a series of curlicues to act as branches. Once the basic tree is established, add an owl. Draw a triangle for its ears, an oval for its body, and add two white dots for its eyes. Now, add as many curlicues as you wish.

VOILA! How simple was that?

Let me know if you try it.