COLLEY WHISSON
LOOSELY DEFINED:
THE POWER IN PAINT
Colley Whisson's new mentoring course is here, and we couldn't be more thrilled to share it with you.
As one of our online teachers for almost seven years, Colley knows what it takes to help his students achieve their art dreams. That's why he's designed this brand new course with YOU in mind, packed with videos guiding you step-by-step. The best part is that Colley will be your mentor throughout the entire process, from Australia to the comfort of your studio.
Are you tired of putting in a lot of effort painting without achieving your desired results? If so, you will love this new course!
CoLLEY WHISSON
365 DAY ACCESS
MENTORING COURSE
$895 USD
COURSE REOPENS
MARCH 6, 2025
(Spaces will be limited)
WHAT’S INSIDE
Do you struggle to create balance, depth, or harmony in your paintings? Is it challenging to capture reflective light, manage edges, or build strong focal points while maintaining a loose, impressionistic style? Many artists face these hurdles, leaving their work feeling flat or overworked.
In Colley Whisson’s NEW online course, you’ll learn practical techniques to overcome these challenges. Colley breaks down key concepts like reflective light, edges, depth, and color contrast into simple, actionable steps. You’ll discover how to enhance texture, control brush marks in shadows, and create harmony between light and dark areas.
This course covers a variety of subjects, from landscapes to cityscapes, interiors, and animals, helping you tackle new challenges with confidence. Colley emphasizes preparation, planning, and analysis to help you approach your work with purpose and clarity.
By the end of the course, you’ll not only improve your techniques but also gain the confidence to explore new subjects and take your art to the next level. Join Colley Whisson and see the results for yourself!
MODULE 1 | COLOUR
Colour is one of my favourite subjects. Personally, I would call myself a colourist, but for many artists, it can be a troublesome subject to approach. That’s why I want to take a good look at it. The important aspects are reflective light, the illusion that colour can create, how a painting is mostly grey in low light conditions and why this effects the colour temperature you choose. I cover these ideas extensively in order to help each student create an enhanced colour balance, depth through cool and warm colours, and colour saturation for any subject they choose to paint.
MODULE 2 | EDGES
Our edges have a huge impact on how our painting will appear to a viewer, and I feel this area of our painting is crucial to our success. I will discuss lost and found edges and the one-edge rule. I’ve found when a student is armed with this information, and they put it into practice, their paintings tend to reach another level.
MODULE 3 | CONTRAST
With years of teaching, I find contrast is one of the biggest areas of our painting that rarely gets the focus it deserves. That’s why I wanted to turn a spotlight on this subject. I will cover how and why we need to look and consider our big shapes. Plus, how to learn to see and look through the fog. This is an old term meaning that we need to look at our darkest tonal values. We need the widest range of dark to light, even on a cloudy, smoky, or foggy day. Our tonal contrast is one of the most important things to consider.
MODULE 4 | FOCAL POINTS
“If it ain’t on the page, it isn’t on the stage”. I love this saying; it refers to having a good idea in mind before we start our work day. Composition and Design are so very important. I’ve always placed a high level of importance on subject selection. I also delve into the subliminal directional lines and how to direct the viewer to where we need them to look.
MODULE 5 | CREATING DEPTH
I believe that creating a 3-Dimensional effect on a flat surface is what painting is all about. Perspective, mark-making, the Art of Diminishing Returns, and the Power of Blue are powerful ideas I cover in this module. How we apply our paint is crucial in achieving the desired illusion of distance.
MODULE 6 | X FACTOR
I’ve combined all of the information from the earlier modules into our final module. I will cover how to use flair and confidence in our work, the importance of foregrounds, and how all these combined shape our work. I always say, "I prefer a confident and correct brush mark to a tight and careful brush mark.” There are many ways to maximize the visual impact of our paintings, especially if they're missing that extra spark. I will guide you through the process with multiple ideas that you can implement effortlessly and perfect along the way.
SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST
{Although Colley has a preference for oil paint, he is happy to help students explore and work with their preferred medium, whether it's acrylics, pastels, or watercolors.}
BONUS | A MOMENT IN VERMONT
Only students in this course receive this special bonus video - it’s not available for purchase anywhere.
In this 90 minute start-to-finish painting demonstration, Colley shares how to simplify a complex, green garden scene. Colley shows his techniques for mixing colors, capturing light, creating value patterns, drawing the eye to the focal point, and using expressive brushwork.
You can download and save this video in a safe place. It's yours to keep as a takeaway when your course access ends.
MEET YOUR MENTOR
~ COLLEY WHISSON
An Australian artist known for his bold and vibrant paintings that capture the beauty and essence of the world around him. Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Whisson began painting at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the arts.
His subjects range from landscapes and seascapes to still life and figure paintings, all imbued with energy and movement.
In addition to his painting, Whisson is also a highly respected teacher and mentor. He has taught at a number of art schools and workshops, and has inspired countless artists to develop their own unique styles and techniques.
Colley believes, "It’s not what you paint but how you paint it." He remains one of Australia's most celebrated and influential artists, and his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
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“The mentorship with Colley has truly been exceptional at providing an expansive library of material. I have learned so much and found the materials’ organization especially helpful. The way Colley picks meaningful topics to cover using short videos to help students visualize and understand the concept he is teaching has been the most targeted teaching method I have experienced. I just cannot say enough to express my gratitude to Colley for his willingness to give students everything he has, he doesn’t hold back!! Colley has the most pleasant personality, his kindness shows through in his teaching style. He is so positive and gentle when he critiques the student’s work on FB. He is a breath of fresh air and inspirational to all the art community in growing quality artists!!”
“Your TAAO courses have been such a life-altering experience for me. I have enjoyed my years with Colley and have learned more than I can put into words. At first, I didn’t know if I could learn oil painting virtually, but I could not be more satisfied with your TAAO format. I feel like I am doing my master’s degree in painting with your TAAO courses. Your instructors are masters in their field and are so patient and generous with their time and experience ... invaluable. Colley’s course has taught me more than I will be able to practice in my lifetime, but I plan on having fun trying!”
“Colley’s teaching style is like no other. Maybe it’s his charming Aussie nature, but he helped me to become more aware of the language of brushwork. I now try to work on creating simple, big shapes, and value patterns which are clearly the springboard for creating expressive paintings that have more control of light and form. Thank you TAAO so much for bringing Colley to us Online.”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Whether you’re just starting out or an established artist, this course is packed with everything you need to elevate your work and achieve your artistic goals.
Access to Colley for a Full Year: This isn’t a workshop or a one-day class; it’s 365 days of personalized mentoring and guidance from Colley himself.
Learn at Your Own Pace: All the content is pre-recorded, so you can study whenever and wherever you want. The course is accessible 24/7 on any device with internet access, ensuring your art journey fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Over-the-Shoulder Demonstrations: Gain insights from more than 15 hours of finely crafted video oil demonstrations. Each module includes assignments and photo references to help you apply what you’ve learned. Rewatch as often as you like, discovering new insights with every viewing.
Fresh Content Every Month: Stay inspired with monthly video lessons covering specific topics, tips, and techniques. Colley’s insights will keep your creative spark alive while encouraging you to try new approaches in your work. As an enrolled student, you’ll also gain access to all the monthly content from previous years, housed in an ever-growing archived library of lessons. If there’s a subject you’d like Colley to expand on, let him know! Students often share how these lessons help them push boundaries and develop new skills.
Access a Private, Secure Community—No Social Media Required!
We’ve taken a bold step forward by leaving Facebook groups behind and creating a brand-new, purpose-built community platform just for you. Imagine a distraction-free, social-media-free space designed exclusively for artists like you—seamlessly integrated into your account library.
This is more than just a platform; it’s your creative hub. Here, you’ll connect with Colley and a supportive group of like-minded students, share your work, ask your burning questions, and receive personalized guidance tailored to your artistic journey.
Welcome to a space where your focus stays on what truly matters: your growth, creativity, and connection with a mentor and community who genuinely care about your success.
Supportive Community with Colley’s Leadership: Imagine being part of Colley’s inner circle—a collaborative environment where you’ll receive personalized feedback on your paintings and exclusive insights into his art life, stories, and travels. As a member of this close-knit community, you’ll gain access to a deeper connection with Colley, seeing firsthand how a professional working artist approaches their craft and creative journey. It’s no wonder many students have said, “There is nothing else as personal available online! For a full year, you’ll experience mentorship that accelerates your progress and helps you grow in ways you never imagined.”
If you’re ever struggling with a problem or need help, Colley’s course has you covered with its exclusive AI-powered search feature. This cutting-edge tool acts as your personal guide through Colley’s extensive knowledge and expertise, built entirely using his own words and video content. Simply ask a question, and the AI instantly searches through hours of course material, pinpointing the exact moment where your topic is addressed. Whether you prefer to watch the video or read the automatic transcription, the choice is yours—learning tailored to your style. This feature saves you valuable time and keeps you focused on what matters most: painting!!! Experience the future of course mentoring and see how Colley’s personal AI can help you get further, faster, and elevate your art!
Access to an Extensive Archive: Gain immediate access to a comprehensive library of Colley’s past critiques, spanning years of invaluable insights. These recorded sessions, available in the Bi-Monthly Office Hours module, feature real student submissions with detailed feedback and step-by-step guidance. They include digitally color-correcting their work right before your eyes and practical solutions to common painting challenges. Watching Colley’s process provides actionable advice and a deeper understanding of techniques, making this archive a powerful resource to refine your skills, solve problems, and elevate your work—at your own pace.
DISCOVER WHY THIS COURSE IS DIFFERENT!
As an art student, you know the immense value of in-person workshops and classes for developing new skills. They provide inspiration, new techniques, and a burst of motivation. But when the workshop ends, and you return home, it’s easy to feel lost and unsupported, unsure of how to keep progressing on your own.
That’s exactly why we created this mentoring course. With 365 days of access, you’ll have the guidance and support you need for an entire year—every step of the way.
This course is more than just a set of lessons; it’s a supportive and collaborative journey. With Colley Whisson as your mentor, you’ll never face challenges alone. Colley is dedicated to helping you overcome obstacles, stay motivated, and push through moments of self-doubt, ensuring you keep growing as an artist.
Here’s what makes this course different:
Knowledge That Keeps Giving: This course lays a foundation that will continue to benefit you long after the year is over. Whether you’re just starting out or refining advanced techniques, Colley’s mentorship meets you where you are and helps you polish your skills.
A Community Like No Other: This isn’t just a course—it’s a collaborative experience with Colley and a group of like-minded students. Together, you’ll inspire, challenge, and support one another’s growth in an encouraging and creative environment.
We invite you to join us and see why so many students return for more. Many continue as alumni for years. This mentoring course gives you the tools, guidance, and community to thrive in your artistic journey.
Loosely Defined: The Power in Paint
$895 USD
COURSE REOPENS
MARCH 6, 2025
(Spaces will be limited)