DAY 1

WELCOME & ORIENTATION

Meet & Greet — The instructors will bring some wine, cheese and crackers. There will be an introduction to Lamar Buffalo Ranch and course specifics. Safety, rules, expectations, and itinerary as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day will be discussed.

DAY 2

Classroom & Painting on site.
The day will start with a “How to get started” for any beginners, then artists will choose an area to paint at Lamar Buffalo Ranch. Participants will paint while Daniel & Kara wander among the artists. Lunch at the artist’s leisure then classroom time (attendance not required). Paint at the artist’s leisure then Show & Tell, so the artists’ paintings can improve tomorrow.

DAY 3

Participants will load the bus with the painting equipment they tested on Day 2. Bring a sack lunch. The bus leaves for the field (destination based on weather, bison jams, etc.). Participants will paint while Daniel & Kara wander among the artists offering guidance. Lunch at the destination, then return to classrooms for classroom time (attendance not required). Artists spend the afternoon & evening paint at their leisure then Show & Tell.

DAY 4

Participants will load the bus with the painting equipment they tested on Day 3. Bring a sack lunch. The bus leaves for the field (destination based on weather, bison jams, etc.). Participants will paint while Daniel & Kara wander among the artists offering guidance. Lunch at the destination, then return to classrooms for classroom time (attendance not required). Artists spend the afternoon & evening paint at their leisure then Show & Tell.

DAY 5

CHECK OUT & DEPARTURE

Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 PM on Sunday, August 24, 2025, and goes through 5:00 PM on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

Lodging Check-in & Check-out: Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2025, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 1

• Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
• For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
• Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
• To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
• All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
• To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:

Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.

• Canvases, panels or paper
• Easel or board, to tape paper to
• Paints, non-toxic / solvent free (no exceptions, call (208) 932-0893 for help)
• Pliers, to remove stuck caps
• Brushes
• Palette
• Apron
• Paper or cloth towel
• Hand cleaner
• Small trash bags
• Wet painting carrier (wet canvas clips, box flats, pizza boxes, etc.)
• Sketch pad, paper
• Viewfinder
• Pencil, charcoal
• Sharpener
• Eraser
• (2) carabiners & string (to hang garbage bags)
• Painter’s tape
• Oil Painting
  • Medium, non-toxic (to thin and extends the dry time)
  • Alkyd / Turpenoid Natural (to thin and speed up dry time.) Note: Odorless does NOT necessarily mean non-toxic.
  • Brush cleaner, non-toxic
  • Latex gloves
  • Saran wrap or paint pots (for left-over paint)
• Acrylic & Watercolor
  • Container for fresh water, jar for rinse water, spray bottle
  • Items for special effects (salt, etc.)
  • Plastic bag big enough to slip painting in if it rains
• Extras
  • Chair (Lamar has little camp chairs for you to use)
  • Tissue
  • Umbrella with string or clamp (to strap to easel)
  • Bug spray
  • Ponytail holder (for long hair)
  • Carrier for transporting paintings home (call (208) 932-0893 for help)

RECOMMENDED READINGS

• Hassrick, P. H. (2016). Drawn to Yellowstone: Artists in America’s First National Park. WordsWorth in association with the Whitney Western Art Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

• Kinsey, Joni L. (2006), Thomas Moran’s West, Chromolithography, High Art, and Popular Taste. University Press of Kansas

• Bedell, Rebecca (2024). The Anatomy of Nature: Geology and American Landscape Painting, 1825- 1875. The Anatomy of Nature: Geology and American Landscape Painting, 1825-1875. Princeton University Press.

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:

Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3

Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm

If running late for a program, please contact 406-848-9128.

General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.

To review the cancellation policy for this program, please visit our webpage which outlines cancellation policies by program type here.