KENN BACKHAUS
STUDY TO STUDIO
KENN BACKHAUS
365 DAY ACCESS
MENTORING COURSE
$895 USD
COURSE REOPENS
MARCH 6, 2025
(Spaces will be limited)
WHAT’S INSIDE
As artists, we often focus on creating a compelling final piece, but the real magic lies in the journey—the study, the exploration, and the thoughtful steps that lead to a finished work. Whether you’re painting from life or working from a photograph, this course is designed to show you every step in between, helping you refine your process and bring depth and intention to your art.
With Kenn Backhaus as your instructor, you’ll learn how to create captivating artwork that tells a story. Through a focus on narrative, atmosphere, and mood, you’ll discover how to make your paintings resonate on a deeper level, drawing viewers into the world you’ve created. Kenn will guide you in weaving storytelling elements into your art, considering everything from composition to lighting, to create pieces that leave a lasting impression.
Great paintings don’t just happen—they’re crafted with care, beginning with the experience of capturing your subject. Whether you’re inspired by a vibrant plein air scene or a photograph filled with potential, the best work emerges when you take that raw inspiration and fine-tune it in the studio. This course will teach you how to identify, plan, and paint every corner of the canvas with success, ensuring your final piece is a culmination of thoughtful decisions and refined technique.
By the end of your journey with Kenn, you’ll not only have a greater understanding of how to craft compelling artwork, but also the tools and confidence to approach every painting with intention, clarity, and purpose. It’s time to embrace the process and elevate your art to new heights!
MODULE 1 | DEVELOPING THE STUDY
The study has many important factors and plays a major role in exploring the path to the final studio painting. The study can take form either painting from direct observation or photo reference gathered from your on-location experiences. You can think of it in comparison to the importance of a screenplay, where a writer has written an “idea” to which eventual a full featured movie will be produced. The “idea” for the eventual studio painting will be better derived from well thought out and explored studies. Just as a movie has a main character and supporting characters, you too will need to develop what would be considered, a main element and supporting elements within the pictorial. Through demonstration I will show you how all these elements can work in harmony to carry out your “idea". I will enlist good habits for you to follow in exploring the “idea”. These habits directed toward developing your studies will result in more successful studio paintings.
MODULE 2 | CONSIDER YOUR OPTIONS
Running with your first idea will work, but those who explore various options will sometimes discover some great possibilities. I will help you understand the role of options and show you some of mine that I consider while developing my studies. Your primary goal will be to develop the strongest studio painting that is possible all resulting from the efforts you put into the various stages of your studies. You will grasp and understand the idea and leave no rocks unturned!
MODULE 3 | IDEAS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL
This is it. Time to put it all together. It’s show time baby! You have been inspired from life’s experiences which will result in your ideas. Developed knowledge of your subject, light affects, your use of the medium and tools translate to skills. Harnessing your ideas with your knowledge and skills will result in success. I will explain the importance and empower you as the director. Everything will be in your control! You will achieve harmony in your studio paintings through your better understanding and use of the historic principles of good draftsmanship, proper use of value, color mixing and competent brushwork.
MODULE 4 | BUILDING YOUR CONFIDENCE
The term, happenstance can occur to any artist which could result in a great painting at anytime. Although the ability to produce a great painting on a consistent basis will be our goal. I will demonstrate how you too can replace the occasional happenstance with development, use of good habits and artistic skills. Developing your abilities through exercises that will reveal your weaknesses and make you aware of your strengths. Together we will build on those strengths and overcome your weaknesses. The results will be increased confidence so you can produce a quality studio painting every time.
SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST
{Although KENN 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 | REFLECTIONS
Only students in this course receive this special bonus video - it’s not available for purchase anywhere.
In this 120 minute start-to-finish painting demonstration you’ll learn Kenn's step-by-step technique for painting atmosphere, light, and water reflections. Watch and learn as he shows you how he captures the genuine feel of this calming wilderness scene. A great addition to this course.
You can download and save this video in a safe place. It's yours to keep as a takeaway when your course access ends.
BONUS | GUIDELINES AND WORDS TO PAINT BY
Only students in this course receive this special e-book - it’s not available for purchase anywhere.
A 27 page e-book to develop your creativity and skill set as an artist. It is full of excellent resources to help guide you when you need it most. Downloadable and ready to read anytime on a computer or mobile device. You can even print it if you wish.
You can save this e-book in a safe place. It's your second bonus to keep as a takeaway when your course access ends.
MEET YOUR MENTOR
~ KENN BACKHAUS
Kenn, born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin and spent much of his childhood on the family farm near Burnett, Wisconsin. His fondness for nature became the catalyst for his art. Kenn’s parents encouraged his artistic education and following High School, he attended Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a commercial designer and illustrator Kenn received many awards at both local and national levels, which included acceptance in the 30th Annual Society of Illustrators Show in New York City. Although Kenn took pride in his commercial successes, his heart always belonged to the fine art of outdoor painting.
With his developing interest in the historic traditions of plein air painting, Kenn decided in 1984, to devote more time to his passion for painting and the love of the outdoors. His works have been honored with numerous awards and distinctions. He regularly serves as an acceptance juror and awards judge for many national shows.
Kenn was part of a PBS series entitled, “Plein Air, Painting the American Landscape”. Kenn is now one of the host artists of a new 13-part series, Passport & Palette™ represents the next generation of art education on public television.
Kenn is a Signature Artist Member of the California Art Club, a Master Signature Member of both the Oil Painters of America and the American Impressionist Society, a Signature member of the Plein-Air Painters of America. He also served as President of the Plein-Air Painters of America.
Kenn, a major talent in American art, is humble and well-loved. He is honored to help you achieve quicker results in your own work. He enjoys giving back and has been an instructor for over twenty years.
"My education days have not ended; today's experience is the best teacher for me. I continue to learn every day. The day that the learning stops will be the day I stop." - Kenn Backhaus
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“I can’t say enough about Kenn Backhaus’s course. I learned to see like an artist and not like a camera. Kenn was so helpful, positive and honest that I now see a huge improvement in my paintings. The critiques were such a huge bonus to the whole course. Thank you TAAO for making these online courses. They are limitless, just like you say!”
“Kenn’s mentoring has been a fantastic experience. I have grown as an artist so much in such a relatively short time. For anyone considering enrolling in the course who is reading this, you have picked a wonderful teacher. The time and energy that Kenn devotes to each student is immeasurable. He has been a wonderful mentor. Kenn taught me to remember some of the smallest growths can be some of the most significant discoveries! Thanks for everything Kenn!”
“My year of mentoring with Kenn has been a huge success, but it never would have happened nor would I have started selling paintings so soon if I had not enrolled when I did last year. I had just retired and this course made it very easy to put animation in the rearview mirror and begin a whole new journey. What I have learned and will continue to learn from Kenn is staggering. Best dollar spent ever. This course rocks!”
“Working with Kenn, you feel so supported. You’ll feel confident about what you have to do and what your next steps are… so you can keep moving forward no matter what! Kenn’s online mentoring course has well exceeded my expectations. I enjoy not being pressured for time and learning like I am in a 4-day workshop or weekly class. Kenn shares so many great tips. His suggestions and feedback on your work are easy to follow. You see your work change, and it is so uplifting. I am beyond grateful for all the wisdom he has shared and how supportive he is with every student he works with. I LOVE seeing everyone’s progress.”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Whether you’re an intermediate artist working to improve your skills or a more advanced student aiming to refine your studio work, this course provides the tools and guidance you need to take your work to the next level. It’s focused, practical, and designed to help you achieve measurable progress in your artistic journey.
Access to Kenn for a Full Year: This isn’t a workshop or a one-day class; it’s 365 days of personalized mentoring and guidance from Kenn 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 20 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. Kenn’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 Kenn 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 Kenn 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 Kenn’s Leadership: Imagine being part of Kenn’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 Kenn, 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, Kenn’s course has you covered with its exclusive AI-powered search feature. This cutting-edge tool acts as your personal guide through Kenn’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 Kenn’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 Kenn’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 Kenn’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 Kenn Backhaus as your mentor, you’ll never face challenges alone. Kenn 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 an intermediate artist working to improve your skills or a more advanced student aiming to refine your studio work, Kenn’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 Kenn 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.
Study to Studio
$895 USD
COURSE REOPENS
MARCH 6, 2025
(Spaces will be limited)