Born in Fredrikshald, Norway, Skou was a student of Anders Zorn in Stockholm and Christian Krolig in Paris. Early in the 20th century, he immigrated to the United States where he first settled in New York. Moving to Chicago in 1918, he found employment as an illustrator and participated in exhibitions at the Art Institute of Chicago, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the National Academy of Design, winning numerous awards.

Skou was a founding member of the Grand Central School of Art in New York as well as a member of the Salmagundi Club, Allied Artists, National Academy of Design, American Water Color Society, Palette and Chisel Club of Chicago, Boston Arts Club, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Aquarellists of America, American Federation of Arts, National Arts Club and the American Art Association of Paris.