Lon Brauer: PORTRAITS – Painting with Movement

Discover How To Paint Portraits and Figures That Move & Breathe With Lon Brauer’s Award-Winning “Expressive Realism” Approach!

Do you find yourself frustrated when your portrait and figure paintings turn out stiff and lifeless?

No matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to capture the vibrancy of your subject?

Award-winning artist Lon Brauer has spent years developing a unique approach that allows him to:

●       See and capture the dynamism in his subjects…

●       Inject life and energy into paintings using bold, gestural brushwork…

●       Break free from photorealism while maintaining a strong structural foundation…

●       Create portraits that are both recognizable and excitingly abstract…

●       Discover the joy of letting the painting process guide him, with unexpected results…

He calls it “Expressive Realism,” and he’s going to show you exactly how to do it.

In this new video, Portraits: Painting with Movement…

…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.

With Lon’s guidance, you’ll learn to:

●       See compositions within the blank canvas that lead to dynamic image-making…

●       Understand the physical structure of the human form and build a strong framework…

●       Use diagonals and broken edges to create a sense of movement…

●       Maintain a strong underdrawing throughout the painting process…

●       Apply bold, gestural brushwork that brings your paintings to life…

●       Use alternative tools to add interest and texture to your work…

●       Use valuable shortcuts to help with your drawing and structure…

●       …and so much more!

This video is perfect for you if:

●       You love portraits and figurative work but struggle with structure, composition, drawing, or color…

●       You want to loosen up your painting style without losing recognizability…

●       You’re ready to move beyond photorealism and be more expressive with your art…

●       You’re eager to experiment and discover new ways of seeing and painting…

Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your approach to figure painting!

Your Lesson Plan!

Chapter 1: Introduction

Discover a fresh perspective on portrait painting that breaks free from conventional approaches. Lon Brauer shares his philosophy on creating portraits that transcend mere photographic likeness, focusing instead on vitality and artistic expression. Learn how embracing paint and mark-making can lead to exciting new possibilities in your work. Rather than a typical step-by-step tutorial, this workshop offers insights into Lon’s unique methods and thought processes, empowering you to develop your own creative path and breathe new life into your portrait paintings.

Chapter 2: Tools of the Trade

Explore the essential mental and physical tools needed for successful portrait painting. Lon shares his three guiding principles while demonstrating how to set up your palette efficiently. Learn why he opts for student-grade paints for large-scale work and his preference for big brushes. Understanding these fundamental approaches and tool selections will help you work more confidently and freely, setting the stage for creating more dynamic and expressive portraits.

Chapter 3: Painting Is a Craft

Dive into the fundamentals of color mixing and paint manipulation. Learn why secondary colors are crucial for skin tones and how to use primaries as modifiers. Lon demonstrates various mark-making techniques with brushes and alternative tools, while exploring paint abstraction and shape-making. This foundational knowledge will enhance your ability to create more nuanced, sophisticated portraits with richer color harmonies and interesting surface qualities.

Chapter 4: Exploring the Subject

Discover powerful composition strategies through the analysis of reference photos and previous works. Learn how to use diagonals for dynamic impact and how to manipulate your reference images for stronger compositions. Drawing from his experience as a product photographer, Lon shares professional tips for capturing motion in still images and using photo apps for inspiration. These techniques will help you create more engaging portraits that capture attention and hold viewers’ interest.

Chapter 5: The Compositional Block-In

Master the essential first steps of portrait painting through grid-based drawing and value development. Learn how to use charcoal and mineral spirits to create a unique underpainting that establishes your composition. Lon demonstrates measuring techniques for accurate proportions while maintaining artistic freedom. These foundational skills will give you the confidence to start your portraits with strong structure while allowing room for creative expression.

Chapter 6: First Layer of Color

Learn the critical initial stage of applying color to your portrait. Discover how to build the image through simplified shapes and strategic brushwork that follows form. Lon shares his approach to skin tone mixing and demonstrates how to use drips effectively. This chapter will help you overcome the common fear of the first layer, showing you how to create a solid foundation for a vibrant, engaging portrait.

Chapter 7: Reestablish the Drawing & Color

Learn how to maintain structural integrity while building layers of color. Discover techniques for adjusting proportions and edges as needed, and how to use negative shape painting for development. This balanced approach to structure and color will help you create portraits that are both accurately rendered and artistically expressive, setting your work apart from conventional approaches.

Chapter 8: Build Head & Hands

Master the essential elements of portrait painting by learning to recognize and render the color zones of the face and the critical shapes that define features. Discover how to develop form through value and shape relationships. Learn Lon’s approach to one of the most challenging aspects of portrait and figure painting — hands. These techniques will help you create more confident, convincing portraits that capture both likeness and character.

Chapter 9: Break It Down & Rebuild

Experience Lon’s unique approach to creating texture and depth through unconventional techniques like sanding and using serrated knives. Learn how to maintain structure while working loose, and discover the power of “history” in your painting’s surface. Master techniques for keeping your work fresh and spontaneous while developing features without overworking them. These methods will help you create more dynamic, textured portraits that vibrate with energy and interest.

Chapter 10: Develop & Refine

Learn to evaluate your work critically by asking, “Is it enough?” while discovering how to use shadows and brushstrokes to create movement. Understand the delicate balance between development and overworking. These refinement techniques will help you make confident decisions about when to push forward and when to stop, resulting in portraits that maintain freshness while achieving the desired level of finish.

Chapter 11: Razzle Dazzle

Discover how to take your portraits beyond conventional boundaries by adding graphic effects and dimensional elements. Learn to use splatter techniques, create interesting imprints, and incorporate directional marks with specialized tools. These creative techniques will help you develop unique, contemporary portraits that stand out from traditional approaches while adding excitement and movement to your work.

Chapter 12: Finishing It Up

Master the final stages of portrait creation, from cropping decisions to background completion. Learn how to embrace serendipity while making intentional finishing choices. Discover tips for signing your work effectively. This chapter will help you develop the confidence to make strong compositional decisions and know when your portrait is truly complete, resulting in more polished, professional-looking final pieces.

Meet Your Instructor, Lon Brauer!

Lon Brauer was born and raised in Granite City, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis. And his journey to becoming a full-time painter is as dynamic as his artwork. 

Armed with both a BFA and an MFA in Fine Art, Lon spent years as a successful studio photographer, working with top advertising agencies and design firms in the St. Louis region. 

But when digital photography began to dominate the industry, Lon saw an opportunity to return to his first love ± painting!

For the past 20 years, Lon has dedicated himself to the craft of painting, pushing boundaries and developing his signature “Expressive Realism” style. 

This innovative approach combines the structural integrity of traditional figurative work with the bold, emotive brushstrokes of abstract expressionism.

Lon’s exceptional talent and unique vision haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s a signature member of prestigious organizations including:

●       Oil Painters of America

●       American Impressionists Society

●       Outdoor Painters Society

●       American Society of Marine Artists

His work has garnered attention from galleries across the country, and he’s currently represented by:

●       Folly Cove Gallery in Rockport, MA

●       McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD

●       Warm Springs Gallery in Warm Springs, VA

When he’s not in his Illinois studio creating his next masterpiece, Lon can be found teaching workshops and participating in top plein air events across the country. His passion for art is matched only by his enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge with fellow artists!