Get ready to embark on a tailor-made mentoring course that celebrates diverse subjects with color and loose brushwork.
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Inside each module, there is a start to finish demonstration where Colley paints and gives you a play-by-play of what heâs doing and why, and many supporting video lessons for the key concept of the module.
You can practice each module's lessons with Colley's suggested assignment at your own pace and then move on when you feel ready. You can always ask Colley for help or feedback on your painting inside his private-student Facebook group.Â
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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, thatâs why I wanted to take a good look at it. The important aspects are reflective light, the illusion that colour can create, a painting is mostly grey and low light conditions effect the colour temperature. The ideas that I cover will help each student to create an enhanced colour balance, depth through cool and warm colours and colour saturation.
Our edges have a huge impact on how our painting will appear to a viewer, I feel this area of our painting is crucial to our success. I will discuss lost and found edges and the one edge rule. Iâve found when a student is armed with this information and they put it into practice, their paintings tend to reach another level.
After 28 years of teaching and nearly 7 of those years teaching Online, I believe Contrast is one of the biggest areas of our painting that rarely gets focussed on. Thatâs 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, learning to see and looking through the fog, this is an old term meaning that we need to look at our darkest tonal values, we still 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 take into account.
If it ainât on the page it isnât 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 is so very important, Iâve 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.
I believe this topic is what painting is all about, creating a 3 Dimensional effect on a flat surface. Perspective, Mark making, the Art of diminishing return and the Power of Blue, these are powerful ideas that I cover in this module. The way we apply our paint is crucial to our chances of creating an illusion of distance.
I’ve combined all of the information from the earlier modules into our final module. Talking about using flair and confidence in our work, also the importance of our foregrounds and how this shapes our work. As I always say, "I prefer a confident and correct brush mark than a tight and careful brush mark". There are many ways to maximise the visual impact of our paintings, especially if our paintings are missing that extra spark, these are the ideas I cover in this module.
Please note* {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.}
There are more than 15 hours of pre-recorded video oil demonstrations. Dive into each one when your schedule allows. They are available to you online 24/7 for one full year on desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. All you need is an internet connection. Paint alongside Colley with each video and rewatch them as often as you need. You have all year with Colley's course concepts, and it will be a good one!
Inside you will find photo reference packages of Colleyâs own hand-selected images - ready for you to work from. You can easily practice what you've been learning by using them as you wish throughout the year. You are not required to use the photos - youâre always welcome to develop your own composition.
In addition to the videos within the six core modules and their suggested assignments, Colley will record a NEW video lesson addressing a topic with tips & techniques to try in your paintings. If you think of a topic that you would like to have Colley expand on, let him know! Students mention all the time how much they enjoy receiving each new artistic concept throughout the year.Â
Here's a sneak peek inside this growing library since the course first opened. Gain access to these and many more while enrolled:
- Placement of Shapes
- Letting Detail Come To Us
- Three Planes
- Staying True to the Big Shapes
Please note this is NOT a live critique you watch at a specific time. It is recorded and added to the course. You will hear and see him digitally correct students' submissions right before your eyes. These critiques are valuable because Colley is allowed more time to go in-depth into the painting and cover more detail than what is posted in his private student Facebook community. On the chosen submissions, see Colley peel back the layers, show what is working, and fix the areas that are not. The best part about these recorded videos is that you can stop and rewind Colley's critique and see how to improve your original painting.
Get ongoing support in Colleyâs private Facebook community, which is only available to enrolled students. When you post your painting inside the group, you'll receive guidance, feedback from Colley, and new ideas, plus you can see what other students are asking, so you can learn from their journeys as well! It's a global community of artists all working alongside each other. This kind of genuine support and connection online makes a huge difference in your growth, so come with your questions!
**A note about the Facebook community** Participation in the private FB group isnât required, but it will accelerate your learning throughout the year as you connect with Colley and other students. If you want, you can observe and read everything. But we encourage you to post a painting or comment because no one, but the students and Colley in the group, will see what you have posted. The general public never sees inside and will never see your posted paintings or questions, only Colley and the other students in the course.
This exclusive AI library is a treasure trove of years' worth of Colleyâs amazing course content with TAAO. Got a question? Just ask, and the AI will instantly pinpoint exactly where Colley covered it in his course videos, complete with a written answer. This will save you hours and hours of time searching so you can keep moving forward without delay. Be one of the first to dive into this game-changing tool and experience the future of course mentoring.
Check out the video below to see it in action!
HEAR FROM COLLEY'S STUDENTS
"My expectations were very high because Iâve purchased a lot of TAAOâs self-study videos in the past, and my expectations were definitely met and then some. The monthly bonus videos are a complete joy and I look forward to these surprise learning features every time. I am so grateful that TAAO has made it possible to participate online in a course from anywhere in the world. That is so much more than I had ever expected could be done. I was surprised at how well organized the entire course is. I was also surprised at how much content there is and never expected to learn so much in my art journey. "
"Being in the TAAO Course with Colley Whisson for 1 year has been more than I could have expected. I want to let you know how much I appreciate the quality, commitment and dedication that Colley has put into our online education. I value the knowledge I have received from this course and all your TAAO supplemental videos and support ... it has been remarkable. This was my first online course, and honestly I didn't know if I could learn to oil paint âremotelyâ, but Iâm thrilled with all I have learned. I cannot wait to learn from more of your masterful instructors. "
"It's like being able to walk around and behind a master painter and watch & listen to his feedback, one-by-one. There is a lot you can learn from that. Online learning has amazing perks over short workshops. Colley's information is my springboard for creating expressive brushwork and now I'm painting with more control of light and form. Thank you Colley! Your a excellent teacher who cares about his students progress."
"I love everything about the course! The lesson plans, videos, critiques, interaction with other students, the course Facebook community, the style of painting, the minimal ongoing costs and the endless hours that Colley devotes to feedback and critiques. I'm hooked on Online learning and all the one-on-one personal help. My art has grown and excelled farther and faster than I expected. "
"There are only a few Australian landscape artists I admire enough to study under so when I learned Colley was offering this online course, I jumped at the opportunity. Colley's help and advise has pushed my painting along greatly. I'm painting with more confidence every day and seeing results. Following alongside his course content is so easy and convenient for me. :-)"
"Studying with Colley and him as a mentor who truly loves to see you be happy & grow in your art journey is a big... Wow!! Iâve been painting a while, but I still learn new things (and had a lot reinforced). I love Colleyâs loose style, sense of color and light. Studying when you have time really allows you to grow at your own pace. No 5-day workshop time restrictions to gather as much as you can before your left on your own again. Thank you TAAO! "
"I'm thrilled about studying with Colley. Finally found someone who explains clearly how I could go about improving my work. Iâve watched videos, read books but was still so confused on how to put all the techniques together until Colley. What an amazing, passionate, teacher with patience who really cares about helping his students improve. He gave advice so I could keep practicing on my own and get results Iâm very proud of. Thank you!"
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, "Itâs not what you paint but how you paint it."Â He remains one of Australia's most celebrated and influential artists, and his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.
Art is our passion and bringing master artists right to you in your own studio is our mission.
When you enroll in one of our online mentoring courses, our professional instructors will share their art knowledge with you and take you with them on their journeys.
Our instructors have been teaching for years and know exactly how to carefully nurture each student's needs so they will benefit the most. You will get out what you put into these courses! That's our goal and promise to you.
We love physical workshops and in-person feedback, but they have their limitations.
âThey end way too fast.
â They require travel, extra expenses, and lugging your materials with you.
â The dates and times often conflict with your availability.
â If you canât make sense of your notes or quite remember how the instructor did something, youâre out of luck and on your own.
We know it can be frustrating and disheartening to work hard to perfect your art to only be hit with more stumbling blocks. I'm sure you would do anything to be able to ask a question and receive feedback from a professional artist you admire.
So we asked ourselves, âHow can we make world-class art instruction available to EVERYONE who wants it?â
And so, our 365-Day Access with Mentoring courses were born. For more than 10 years, students from around the world have had access to some of the most celebrated artists (with incredible teaching ability) available to them.
We are delighted to bring our favorite renowned artists to your doorstep.Â
We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our
Australian mate, Colley Whisson, to your studio.
You'll get his guidance, support, teaching, and mentorship for a full year.
You won’t find Colley Whisson’s course,
LOOSELY DEFINED: THE POWER IN PAINT anywhere else.
Exclusive content available ONLY inside Tucson Art Academy Online.
And while this 365-day course access with mentorship is worth thousands,
we’re only asking for one payment of $895 USD.
(The best value anywhere for MENTORSHIP with Colley Whisson!)
Colley's entire course with all the benefits is open to you when you enroll.
You’ll be on a path toward continued growth and success for your art.
Join Colley today.
In this 90 minute never-before-seen video, Colley shares how to simplify a complex, green garden scene.
A start-to-finish painting demonstration showing you all his techniques for mixing colors, capturing light, creating value patterns, drawing the eye to the focal point, and using expressive brushwork.
Only students in this course receive this special bonus video - itâs not available for purchase anywhere.
It's yours to download and KEEP in your library forever.
**A note about the Facebook community** Participation in the private FB group isnât required. However, connecting with Colley and other students will accelerate your learning throughout the year. If you want, you can observe and read everything. But we encourage you to post a painting or comment because no one, but the students and Colley in the group, will see what you have posted. The general public never sees inside and will never see your posted paintings or questions, only Colley and the other students in the course.
Get past the starting line & onto RESULTS.
This isnât just a course. Itâs a community. And itâs awesome.
YES. There are two ways throughout the year to get help from Colley. If you join Colley's private student Facebook community, youâll be able to ask Colley questions, get feedback from Colley on your work, and connect with your classmates. Everyone can read and see Colley's responses throughout the year. When you post inside the group, Colley can fine-tune areas of interest specifically for you. You will also be invited to submit work & questions to Colley during his in-depth group critique every other month throughout the year. These are longer video-recorded sessions where you hear and see him digitally correct students' submissions right before your eyes. These are added to the course so everyone benefits from each other's video critiques. You can rework or recreate your paintings after watching these critiques because it is a video you can stop and rewind anytime. Colley is truly your mentor throughout the year.
Colley's course will prepare you with the skills needed to advance and experiment with art way beyond the basics you already know. Manyâ âartists paint along, repeating over and over again the same mistakes and struggling with how to fix them. The goal of this course is to change all that. Being mentored by a professional artist that has also helped numerous students succeed is how you get the results you seek. If you apply yourself and ask for help, we promise you will gain wisdom that is not only hands-on from Colley but practical that you can build upon for years to come.
YES. All you need to do is log in with your password and click âplay." You can pause, rewind, or fast forward in each video lesson. Watch from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone as long as your device is connected to the internet; youâre all set! Our technology is simple and very easy to use. We are always here to help if you need us!
NO. Colley designed this course to meet artists at all levels of art journeys. He covers the basics all the way to more advanced principles. You will get the most out of this course if you progress through the modules in order and reach out for mentorship along the way. Colley is a passionate teacher; if you are willing to apply yourself, you will learn more than you ever thought possible. Trust us; your future self will thank you for leaping today!
NO. You have full access to the course for 365 days, which means you can slow things down and work on your schedule, spend more time in the video lessons, and paint when it is right for you. This year-long format allows you to uncover your unique flow as an artist, be mentored by Colley, and invest in the process to see significant changes in your work.
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