SKIP WHITCOMB
THE POWER OF
ORCHESTRATED COLOR
SKIP WHITCOMB
MENTORING MEMBERSHIP
$895 USD PER YEAR
(Billed annually, renews once per year)
or
$85 USD PER MONTH
(Month-to-month, cancel/pause anytime)
ENROLLMENT OPENS
MARCH 10, 2026
(Be First in Line — Reserve Your Spot)
WHAT’S INSIDE
This membership gives you full access to Skip Whitcomb’s “The Power of Orchestrated Color” course, including ongoing mentoring designed to help you develop stronger color judgment, better palette control, and a clearer understanding of how color truly functions in a painting.
If you struggle to decide which colors to mix, question whether your hues are too warm or cool, or feel overwhelmed by complementary sets and triads, you’re not alone. Many painters wrestle with muddy mixtures, chalky lights, weak shadows, or pigments that overpower everything else. This course is designed to resolve those frustrations through clarity and structure.
You’ll work through a series of lessons focused on complementary and split-complementary arrangements, primary and secondary triads, value control, and building effective color boards. Skip shows you how to create a color plan before you begin, manage pigment strength, and use darks correctly so high-chroma light reads clearly and convincingly.
You’ll learn how color temperature creates depth and spatial relationships, how subtle shifts in value affect luminosity, and how to maintain harmony even when expanding a palette. Rather than adding more color to fix problems, you’ll learn to understand relationships — especially the connection between value and chroma.
Rooted in traditional principles yet applied to contemporary painting, this course builds a strong foundation while encouraging personal expression. The goal isn’t decorative color — it’s intentional color that strengthens design, mood, and storytelling.
There is no fixed timeline. You’re encouraged to revisit lessons, refine your color boards, test variations within your palette, and deepen your control over time. Growth comes through repetition, thoughtful experimentation, and disciplined correction.
Your access to Skip’s mentoring and course material continues as long as you remain an active member through a yearly or monthly membership option.
Students stop feeling lost at the palette. They begin to understand why their color isn’t working — and how to correct it. Over time, color becomes a disciplined strength rather than a source of frustration.
INTRODUCTION
A Practical Approach to Understanding Color and Color Harmony
The goal of this course is to give the more seasoned artist a reliable foundation for making thoughtful color decisions in the studio, in other words to demystify color harmony in painting and empowering him or her with a deeper understanding of this important principle. And, to give the artist the tools to analyze painted solutions, meaning the masterworks of great painters of the past and present. This is certainly not intended to be the final word, rather a portal for refining personal expressions of color in your own studio paintings.
MODULE 1 | TRIADS
Probably the most commonly used plan, triads are basically an arrangement of 3 colors. We will discuss how to push beyond the common interpretation by selecting which colors and variations of a given color, warm and cool, mixed or pure, opaque or transparent, light or dark, will work for our painting. I will do a detailed demonstration of the selection process, making a color test panel, and proceed to a color study.
MODULE 2 | DOUBLE COMPLEMENTS
Double complements are an arrangement of 4 colors, 2 sets of compliments, this set will often give us one of the broadest range of color possibilities, yet still fit within the “limited” category, producing poetic harmony. Besides detailed demonstrations of each module, I will illustrate with examples from past and present master painters.
MODULE 3 | SPLIT COMPLEMENTS
A split complement set is one key color on the color wheel opposed by its complement plus the adjacent color on either side of this complement. Example: Orange opposed by Blue Green-Blue-Blue Violet. With the detailed demonstration we will see the tremendous potential of this plan. Throughout this course we will be using a standard 12 color wheel as a “color calculator” to help visualize the initial plan.
MODULE 4 | COMPLEMENTary ARRANGEMENTS
Complementary plans often initially seem to be the most challenging of all because of the apparent limits of our color selections, therein lies its beauty. This is a plan that emphasizes drawing, big shapes, value contrasts, and edge control. We will discuss the importance of selecting a subject that will loan itself to this plan and why this is critical to our plan, along with a demonstration illustrating this process.
SUGGESTED SUPPLY LIST
{Skip's personal preference lies with oil paint, although he occasionally uses pastels. However, he is willing to assist students in discovering and utilizing their chosen medium, whether it's acrylics, gouache, pastels, or watercolors.
Note* This course is intended for intermediate to advanced painters who want to expand their knowledge of color. There is an abundance of information to be gained from this course, and we are excited to share what Skip has prepared for you. Get ready for a remarkable and enlightening year filled with COLOR!}
BONUS | SUBJECT SELECTION AND COMPOSITION
Only students in this course receive this special bonus video - it’s not available for purchase anywhere.
In this 25-minute never-before-seen instructional video, Skip shares "How to" Combine Photos to Create a Strong Design!One of the most common mistakes we make as artists is thinking what we see in our photos is how we should exactly paint the scene. That is not always correct. If we only knew how to alter and combine photos to identify a stronger design, this would open up more opportunities for success.
In this video, Skip will show you how to use a couple of different photographs - a foreground from one and positioning it into the mid-ground & background of another. He will discuss different scales and positioning for composition purposes. Also, how the subject folds into a color plan, you can follow.
You will clearly see how important composition is to our concept and where to simplify subjects with our artistic eye. Creative use of our photographic reference allows us to be selective, paint what we know, and fit it into a harmonious color plan to create mood and emotion.
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
~ SKIP WHITCOMB
Growing up on his family’s ranch near Sterling, Colorado, where they raised American Quarter Horses, Skip knew early on he wanted to be an artist. Trained in figure study and illustration at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, California paved the path for him to dive into the world of Fine Art which he then pursed full-time as his career.
Now settled in Colorado where you often find him painting the landscape on location or at the very least exploring it with sketchbook in hand, Skip has over 40 years of professional painting and also teaches eager students around the world the knowledge he has gained from the craft. This has made him a sought-after artist by both collectors and students alike.
You will find numerous works of art that Skip has painted in both oils and pastels and each one has its own calm beauty with a story to tell. The way he seems to capture everyday scenes with textural detail and a pop of color make them go from expected to outstanding.
Skip says “Once you internalize the language of painting, you never see the world the same way. It never leaves you. The veil of rational order is lifted and what hangs in the air are sensations of painted possibilities. On good days, some would call it poetry.”
Skip is a Signature Member of the prestigious PAPA (Plein-air Painter's of America).
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“Skip’s course has been an amazing experience. I have grown as an artist so much in such a relatively short time. For anyone thinking of enrolling, do not hesitate. You have picked a wonderful mentor with Skip. The time and energy that Skip devotes to this course are immeasurable. Skip taught me to remember some of the smallest growths can be some of the biggest discoveries! I felt like I had blundered into a master class and was way out of my element. But in the long run, the extraordinary level of talent, combined with the acceptance and supportive attitude of Skip’s group, became a positive force encouraging me to work harder, and try new things. My progress has been more than I could have imagined. Having a year is just wonderful!”
“Before I looked into online art courses, I was on my own floundering. I didn’t know anything about the materials or technical aspects. I didn’t know where to start. I knew what I was producing was not what I wanted it to be, and that was intimidating... but the support now from TAAO instructors and the student community within the courses are amazing. You are never left alone. There’s so much positive feedback in the group. It’s such a supportive environment that it just raises you up to a different level. Now, I feel like I’m in the swing of it. I have enough tools now to keep expanding, growing, and learning... I know how to find answers within myself now thanks to TAAO courses and their “best of the best” artist instructors at your fingertips.”
“Skip is a mentor who truly believes in passing down his knowledge and skills. The transformation that has occurred for me is extraordinary. Skip eliminates the guesswork and helps you take full control of your color choices. Being part of our community of passionate artists is an invaluable part of the mentoring course. You can share your work, connect with fellow artists, and receive personalized guidance from Skip on your painting. Skip is a true master of showing you how to observe and translate real-world color onto canvas. I’m so happy I enrolled and had a whole year to see growth with Skip.”
“Before taking Skip’s color course, I was just grasping at straws, trying to figure out what my color plan was for creating a painting. I like to paint many subjects and I had no clear direction. But Skip made a lightbulb go off. Skip’s guidance showed me quickly what works, what doesn’t, what’s not worth my time, and what truly moves my work forward. It’s beyond thrilling to see the whole process unfold and be excited to finish a painting! Skip’s course shows each student how to take control of your palette. This mentoring course has far exceeded my expectations. I’m finally on the right track, and it feels amazing!”
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Whether you’re an intermediate artist working to improve your use of color or a more advanced student aiming to refine your color mastery, 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.
Ongoing Mentoring with Skip Whitcomb
This is not a short-term workshop or a one-off class. Mentoring is delivered through an ongoing membership, giving you continued access to Skip’s teaching, insight, and structured color guidance for as long as you remain enrolled.
The emphasis is on developing disciplined color judgment and dependable palette control—skills that strengthen through repetition and thoughtful application, not quick fixes. Many painters share the same quiet frustration: You understand color theory. You know about complements and triads. You put in the time. And yet your paintings still feel muddy, flat, or uncertain.
This membership exists for one reason: to help you build reliable color structure so your paintings hold together with clarity and strength. Skip teaches painters how to organize a palette, establish value relationships first, and make intentional color decisions rather than reactive ones.
Learn at Your Own Pace
All instruction is delivered through professionally recorded videos, allowing you to learn when and where it suits you. Watch lessons on your own schedule, pause and revisit palette breakdowns, and return to demonstrations as your understanding deepens.
Your access remains active as long as your membership is active, so learning unfolds naturally alongside your painting practice—without pressure or expiration.
Over-the-Shoulder Demonstrations
You’ll gain access to more than 20 hours of in-depth oil painting demonstrations. These sessions show not only what Skip does, but why he makes certain decisions—covering palette structure, pigment control, value organization, temperature shifts, and chroma management.
You’ll see how he constructs color boards, controls dominant pigments, strengthens dark accents to support light, and adjusts temperature to create depth and harmony.
Each module includes assignments and reference material to help you apply what you’re learning in a clear, practical way.
Ongoing Additions & Growing Library
As a member, you gain access to an expanding library of lessons and recorded material. New content is added periodically, and all previously released material remains available to you while you’re enrolled.
This growing archive allows you to explore topics over time and revisit concepts as your understanding deepens.
A Private, Focused Community — No Social Media
We’ve moved away from Facebook and built a private, purpose-designed community directly within your account. This distraction-free space is created specifically for artists—no algorithms, no noise, no social media fatigue.
Here, you’ll connect with Skip and fellow members, share your work, ask questions, and engage in thoughtful discussion focused entirely on painting and growth.
Community Guidance Led by Skip
As part of the membership, you gain insight into how an experienced painter thinks about color. You’ll see how Skip diagnoses muddy passages, corrects value imbalances, restores harmony to an unbalanced palette, and strengthens structure so color reads clearly.
The goal isn’t simply feedback on individual paintings. It’s direct access to the reasoning behind decisions—the problem-solving process, the adjustments, and the disciplined thinking that lead to stronger work.
AI-Powered Course Search
The course includes an AI-powered search tool built entirely from Skip’s own videos and teaching content. Ask a question, and the system instantly locates the exact moment in the course where that topic is discussed.
You can watch the video or read the transcript—saving time and helping you get straight to the information you need, when you need it.
Extensive Archive of Past Critiques
Members also receive access to a deep archive of recorded student critiques and teaching sessions. These include real student work, detailed analysis, and practical solutions to common color challenges.
Watching Skip diagnose and correct issues in real time—simplifying overworked passages, strengthening dark structure, balancing temperature, and restoring clarity—sharpens your own eye and strengthens your decision-making over time.
DISCOVER WHY THIS COURSE IS DIFFERENT!
Many painting courses offer short-term instruction with an expiration date. This mentoring membership focuses instead on steady, long-term development of your color judgment and palette control.
Skip teaches a disciplined approach to color built on structured palette arrangements — complementary and split-complementary sets, primary and secondary triads, and carefully developed color boards. You learn to organize a limited palette, manage dominant pigments, and make deliberate adjustments when a painting calls for it.
The focus is on building reliability into your color decisions. You’ll establish a clear value framework before chasing intensity, balance strong pigments without losing unity, and shift temperature with purpose rather than instinct. Instead of reacting to problems mid-painting, you’ll learn how to prevent them — keeping mixtures clean, light passages vibrant, and shadow areas structurally sound so the entire painting holds together.
Because this is membership-based mentoring, you’re not pressured to rush through material before access ends. You can revisit lessons, reinforce concepts, and allow your understanding to deepen naturally for as long as you remain an active member. There is no expiration date — your progress continues at your pace.
This is mentoring for painters who want lasting improvement — building paintings with clarity, color harmony, and control.
SKIP WHITCOMB
MENTORING MEMBERSHIP
$895 USD PER YEAR
(Billed annually, renews once per year)
or
$85 USD PER MONTH
(Month-to-month, cancel/pause anytime)
ENROLLMENT OPENS
MARCH 10, 2026
(Be First in Line — Reserve Your Spot)