Discovering Color in Landscapes with Terry Wylie

Class Description:

Color is one of the most exciting—and sometimes intimidating—parts of painting landscapes in watercolor. This three-week class focuses on discovering how color creates mood, depth, and atmosphere in landscape painting.

Students will learn to move beyond “local color” and explore expressive palettes, simplified shapes, and layered washes. Each week builds confidence with color while introducing skies, trees, and foreground elements that come together into finished landscape paintings.

This class emphasizes a relaxed, “learn by doing” approach with demonstrations, guided painting, and individual instruction. Students are encouraged to experiment with color combinations and discover their own personal landscape style.

Students will explore:

Color as Mood
Using warm and cool palettes to create atmosphere and emotion.

Expressive Skies
Exploring color transitions, soft edges, and luminous washes.

Colorful Trees & Landscapes
Moving beyond predictable greens into expressive color mixtures.

Creating Depth with Color
Using temperature shifts and value changes to build distance.

Foreground Color & Contrast
Adding interest and focal points using bold color choices.

A simple kit with a few optional “color discovery” additions.

140 lb Cold Press Watercolor Paper (9" x 12" or 11" x 14" recommended)

One Size 10–12 Round brush (main brush)
One Smaller Round (size 6–8)
Optional: One larger wash brush or mop

Small palette
Pencil and eraser
Two water containers
Paper towels

Ultramarine Blue
Burnt Sienna
Yellow Ochre
Hansa Yellow or New Gamboge

Cobalt Teal
Lavender
Alizarin Crimson or Quinacridone Rose
Sap Green

Payne’s Gray
Moonglow
Cobalt Blue
Transparent Red Oxide

These additional colors allow students to experiment with expressive skies, atmospheric distance, and more creative landscape palettes while still keeping the setup simple and approachable.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher d'Art Center