I think it would be REALLY neat to be able to change the color of objects in the game with a color palette received from a learned skill.
The idea would be after you learn the skill, you can go to the art location and pick up the items pertaining to this skill, similar to getting a quill or going and getting your papers. So far, I have two ideas for how this could work out in your inventory.
1) You get a special bag, similar to a toolbox or elemental pouch that can only house the colors. Then that bag is filled with tiny jars of color, similar to firefly jars. One of the new interactions for an object would now be to paint/color it. You select the color and it changes the color of the main portion of the object. Perhaps the item could also have a secondary/complimentary portion to color to give it an accent.
2) You simply get an inventory item that looks like an artists' palette. Perhaps clicking on the item would give you the option to color an item and the possible items to color in your location would be highlighted or listed. Then you would get a pop-up window that would provide a preset/basic color spectrum to choose from. If we really got unlimited, it would also include sliders to allow for complete customization of the color (similar to all the requests in the forums for skin color sliders).
In Depth Notes:
I'm going to introduce it in an idea about a special location that uses this, but it would seem somewhat limited to only be able to use the skill in one location... I'd like it to be a bit more productive... similar to Herbalism. Perhaps it would need to be limited to special locations and ones' own house, since changing the color of something and making it look that way for everyone else requires downloading time for every item that is painted. This can be illustrated by the effect of someone changing their wardrobe or vanity settings. I also know that changing the colors of things for ones' personal enjoyment all of the world of Ur might be about as controversial as cutting down trees everywhere and putting up the ones you like! Lots of drama in that department. I can imagine this would get out of hand quickly if there were tons of items in every location, so I'm trying to think of ways to keep it somewhat under control and yet still be effective and fun. I know that the TS team has spent a lot of time trying to reduce the load times of objects, so this goes contrary to that. I know a lot of posts have been about home customization (a quick forum search of the term "home customization"), so this might be a good way to personalize your own house in addition to accessories.
Potential names for the Skill:
Palette Appreciation - similar to Soil Appreciation
Colorology - the study of Color
Coloring - simple!
Penmanship II - in addition to using a quill, you now get to use a paintbrush!
Long post! Give me your thoughts...