Ah Molly, I am so envious! I wish I could join you and be able to drive to his workshops, rather than sit in a plane for 5 hours. Please say hello for me and tell him I am playing Lotto each week and 'am trying my best to make it to his Summer workshop!
You should develop the underpainting and start using his palette. His is a fool proof way of painting and if followed step by step, you will soon notice how fast you are able to render beautiful skin tones.