For this lesson I would usually show children some of J.M.W. Turner's paintings. Let them look at the way he does skies and sunsets.
- Encourage the children to start either a third or two thirds up from the bottom of the paper. Having either a space for a large sky or a large sea.
- Explain that usually the sea reflects the colours of the sky.
- Start the children with light blue paint. Let them put roughly two widths of paint on the larger section for every one width in the smaller section.
- Carry on, adding tiny touches of red to the blue paint.
- When the sunset is in place, let it dry a little and then put a dark line of rocks, maybe with a lighthouse, where the child decides the sky meets the sea. Usually in the first blue patch.
- Some children may like to paint boats on too.
Don't worry if the children don't do exactly what you are asking. Let them explore the paint. Some will just enjoy painting the paper shades of blue and red. Let them enjoy the experience.
You can also do this with red and yellow paint to have a warm sunset. That works with looking at Turner's paintings as well.
