Many beginning artists struggle with making their paintings look professional. In a recent episode of Art School Live with Eric Rhoads, Lon Brauer shared techniques that can help you become a better painter, mainly through repetition and focused practice. Lon shares three exercises that you can do in one hour to strengthen your skills.

The Importance of Repetition

Lon emphasizes that to become proficient in painting, you need to practice regularly. Just like brushing your teeth or tying your shoes, the techniques of painting can become second nature. By repeatedly painting the same subject, Lon says, you gain familiarity and confidence. This exercise isn’t about creating a masterpiece; it’s about muscle memory, learning and internalizing the mechanics of painting.

Setting Up Your Workspace

Painting’s hard enough; don’t make it harder by failing to set up your palette and tools correctly (or at least consistently). Lon uses a modified Zorn palette, which consists of:

  • Ivory Black
  • Yellow Ochre
  • Cadmium Red
  • Titanium White
  • Additional yellows and reds for greater color variation

This palette is said to be excellent for mixing various skin tones and other colors effectively. The beauty of using a limited palette is that it forces you to understand values and how to mix colors creatively. It also promotes harmony between the colors on the canvas, since the colors on the palette all share the same DNA.

Choosing Your Brushes

Lon uses two primary brushes for his work:

  • A 1.25-inch brush for broader strokes
  • A 0.5-inch brush for detailing

He also emphasizes the importance of using a palette knife for mixing colors instead of your brush, as it helps keep colors clean and vibrant.

First Exercise: Painting Apples

Lon’s first exercise involves starting with a simple image and drawing it lightly on your canvas – in this case a pair of apples. As you paint, he advises, focus on the contours of the apples and the way light interacts with them. The goal is to capture the essence of the apples rather than getting bogged down in details.

Using Brush Techniques

Lon encourages artists to hold the brush in a way that feels comfortable and allows for fluid movement. For instance, holding the brush further out on the handle and moving it with your whole arm instead of just your wrist can create looser, more expressive strokes. This technique helps in achieving a more natural look in your paintings.

Second Exercise: Fast Painting

For the second exercise, Lon suggests setting a timer for 15 minutes. The idea is to paint the same image multiple times in quick succession. This method helps you focus on different aspects of the painting each time, allowing you to identify strengths and weaknesses in your technique.

Comparing Your Work

After completing several versions of the same painting, lay them out side by side. This comparison will help you see what works and what doesn’t. Lon believes that this process of self-evaluation is crucial for growth as an artist.

Demo Painting from Lon’s new video, “Portraits: Painting with Movement.” In it, Lon pulls back the curtain on his signature techniques, showing you step-by-step how to create portraits that are both structurally sound and bursting with vitality.

Final Thoughts: Learning Through Experimentation

Throughout the session, Lon highlights the importance of experimenting with different techniques and approaches. Whether it’s using a palette knife or varying your brush strokes, trying new methods can lead to unexpected and exciting results.

Encouragement to Keep Practicing

Becoming a better painter takes time and practice. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; they are part of the learning process. Lon encourages artists to be bold and to embrace your unique style. Painting is not just about the final product; it’s about the journey of discovery.

Join the Art Community

If you’re looking for more structured guidance, consider joining art workshops or conventions like the Plein Air Convention. These events provide opportunities to learn from experienced artists and share your work with others.

Learn Techniques for Painting Portraits

And if you want to learn more from Lon, check out his new art video workshop, “Portraits: Painting with Movement.” Discover how to paint portraits and figures that move and breathe with Lon’s award-winning “expressive realism” approach (preview the three-hour art workshop here!).

 

“Aegis” wins “Best Artist Under 40” Salon Prize

John Darley, “Aegis” oil, 30 x 30 in.

Congratulations to John Darley, whose work has been recognized in the monthly PleinAir® Salon.

His oil painting, “Aegis,” earned him the award for “Best Artist Under 40” in the May 2024 competition. The word “aegis” refers to a person or an organization that provides a form of protection or support. In Greek mythology, it was an aspect of protector gods and goddesses such as Zeus and Athena and was often represented by an animal skin, a goatskin shield, or in the case of Athena, an intimidating shield embossed with the face of Medusa.    

 

Darley has worked full time as a portrait/figure painter since 2012. His approach blends the mythologies of the American West with French and English Academic styles.

“I am inspired by the dedication of Michelangelo, the sentimental beauty of Bouguereau, the palette & imagination of the Pre-Raphaelites, and the richness of the land & people of the American West,” he says. “I believe that art – both creating and viewing – makes us recognize what is important to us. I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of dedicating my professional life to the pursuit of making beautiful art.”

He lives in American Fork, Utah with his wife Cassandra and their four sons.

About the PleinAir Salon:

In the spirit of the French Salon created by the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, this annual online art competition, with 11 monthly cycles, leading to the annual Salon Grand Prize winners, is designed to stimulate artistic growth through competition. The competition rewards artists with $50,000 in cash prizes and exposure of their work, with the winning painting featured on the cover of PleinAir® Magazine.

Winners in each monthly competition may receive recognition and exposure through PleinAir Magazine’s print magazine, e-newsletters, websites, and social media. Winners of each competition will also be entered into the annual competition. The Annual Awards will be presented live at the next Plein Air Convention & Expo.

The next round of the PleinAir Salon has begun so hurry, as this competition ends on the last day of the month. Enter your best art in the PleinAir Salon here.