Fur & Feathers with Trevor Young

Fur & Feathers with Trevor Young

Class | Available

Intermediate - Advanced
1/12/2027-3/16/2027
6:30 PM-9:30 PM EST on Tue
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$525.00

Fur & Feathers with Trevor Young

Class | Available

This engaging class is a thorough investigation of animal portraiture and animals within a landscape. Students will work from taxidermy specimens, ceramic animals, photographs, and historical paintings. Subjects include cats, dogs, birds, and bears, depicted in situations that range from playful to contemplative. Students will examine how artists such as Thomas Gainsborough, Bonnard, and Wayne Thiebaud have painted animals, analyzing everything, from the handling of fur, to the use of color. Students will explore natural palettes alongside more unexpected choices inspired by Thiebaud’s Rabbit, and other similar works. Traditional methods, including glazing and wet-into-wet painting, will provide varied approaches to capturing texture, light, and form.

This class is for advanced students only.


  • Materials List - These are the materials you will need to bring with you for this class.

    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. 


    • 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. This class will use two (2) dagger brushes by Princeton.
    • 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 16” x 20” or slightly smaller. 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.
    • Disposable Paper Palette, no smaller than 12” x 16” (the larger the better, please no small palettes)
    • Paper towels or rags
    • Container for oil or acrylic mediums or solvents to take home. Please note this material cannot be disposed of in WSS sinks.
    • Sketchbook and small assortment of pencils
    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
    • Burnt sienna
    • Burnt umber
    • Raw umber
    • Raw Sienna
    • Ivory black
    • Titanium white
    • Cerulean blue hue
    • Ultramarine blue

    If using oil paint:
    • Small jars with lids (minimum 2 for solvents and mediums)
    • Odorless thinner such as Gamsol, a small jar
    • 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:
    • Straight edge
    • Viewfinder (for example: https://www.dickblick.com/products/viewcatcher/)

    It is required that you follow proper brush cleaning techniques while participating in WSS classes and programming. Please review this video and ask your instructor for a demonstration of proper cleanup practices.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iIKYsfjl_E

    Materials for cleaning brushes and PPE are the responsibility of the student.

    Such items may include but are not limited to:

    • Shop towels for painting & cleanup

    • Safflower oil (for oil paint cleanup)

    • dish/brush soap

    • Glass containers for oil & solvent storage as well as brush cleaning

    • Aprons

    • Gloves

    • dustmasks /n95 masks

    • Eye protection


     WSS provides a small amount of shared cleanup items for the Painting Room- 3A but it is much more efficient to bring and use your own. 

    • Shop towels may be purchased for $4 a roll from WSS Staff: M-F, 10am-5pm.


Trevor Young

Learn about your instructor & more on our faculty page!