Examining the Season with Trevor Young
Class | Available
This eight-week painting class explores the beauty and complexity of the landscape through direct observation. Students will develop a deeper understanding of natural greens, color relationships, and the subtle shifts of light found outdoors. Emphasis will be placed on thoughtful palette construction, expressive brushwork, and creating paintings with freshness, clarity, and confidence.
Classes meet on location at Fort Reno Park and Taft Bridge in Rock Creek Park, where students will work from a variety of inspiring landscapes while learning practical approaches to composition, color mixing, and translating nature into compelling paintings. Demonstrations, individual instruction, and critiques are included throughout the course. All experience levels are welcome.
Special Notes
• Please dress accordingly and prepare for all weather, including rainy or cloudy periods.
- This class will explore the Fall season in all weather, including chilly, rainy or cloudy periods. Please dress accordingly.
Note, this class begins on 9/20 and runs through 11/ 8.
A limited number of lockers are available to WSS Students with priority to those enrolled in Painting classes. Lockers are assigned by WSS Staff.
You may request a locker assignment by clicking here.
Your instructor has provided a list of materials required to participate fully in this class.
If you have any questions about specifics or what is needed week-to-week, please reach out to your instructor via the email in your confirmation letter.
Specific brushes needed: An assortment of brushes in various sizes and shapes—these should be soft brushes that are ready for use. Please do not use hard bristle brushes.
A small assortment of palette knives (at least 2)
Multiple surfaces in various sizes. Minimum size is 8” x 10”. For the larger sizes, Trevor recommends 18” x 24” or slightly larger. This will be expanded on in class. All canvases must be toned prior to class. It is best to tone with acrylic paint. Tone in Yellow Ochre.
• Portable easel for outdoor painting
• Disposable Paper Palette, no smaller than 12” x 16” (the larger the better, please no small palettes)
• Paper towels or rags and trash bag
• Must have a drop cloth to paint
• Container for oil or acrylic mediums or solvents to take home
Colors for Palette (you may paint with Oil or Acrylic, but Oil is recommended; Gamblin 1980 is an affordable choice):
- Cadmium red medium
- Cadmium red light
- Alizarin crimson or Quinacridone Magenta
- Cadmium yellow or Cadmium yellow light
- Cadmium orange (optional)
- Yellow ochre
- Raw umber
- Raw sienna
- Ivory black
- Titanium white
- Cerulean blue, cerulean blue hue (Blick brand: Blick Oil Colors - Ceruleum Blue Hue, 40 ml tube | BLICK Art Materials), King’s blue, or Sevres blue (choose one)
- Cobalt blue
- Ultramarine blue
If using oil paint:
- Small jars with lids (minimum 2 for solvents and mediums)
- Odorless thinner such as Gamsol
- A small bottle of Gamblin’s Galkyd (4.2 or 8.5 oz.)
If using acrylic paint:
- Water cup
- Small spray bottle
- A small bottle of acrylic medium (2 or 4 oz.), gloss finish (Golden recommended).
- Golden Acrylic Retarder is also a good medium.
Optional Supplies:
Viewfinder (for example: https://www.dickblick.com/products/viewcatcher/)
Trevor Young
Learn about your instructor & more on our faculty page!