Description

The Language of Paintingw/Lon BrauerMarch 7 & 810:00am - 4:00pm


Painting and Drawing are languages. Visual languages. And as with learning any language one must grasp the concepts and then dig into the vocabulary.
This course is designed to expose the student to new ways of thinking about drawing and painting and how the two speak to the viewer. We will explore the language and vocabulary of mark making as we strive to improve our visual skills.
The student will be immersed in a series of exercises that with strengthen and reinforce very basic principles that are often overlooked.
Day one is devoted to what drawing is and how mark-making in drawing leads to new paths for painting. Students will be working with dry and wet media to find fresh avenues for art making.
Day two is open for students to work on pet projects. Anything goes, and Lon will be available to guide and critique as desired.
‘I have been teaching this method that strips away the visual baggage and opens the student up to a new-found freedom in the painting process. Your artwork will take on a dynamism and movement that only a painting can convey. I will show you ways to stretch your visual experience and then gain confidence with your image making thru intuitive choices.’
This is an in-studio workshop. Lon will describe his approach thru demos each day followed up with one-on-one instruction as students give it a go.
The student will be exposed to the following:
• The limited palette• Mixing colors – what are the possibilities as we expand the palette• Exploring line as a primary tool• Mixing wet and dry mediums• Paint application – what can a brush do• Converting a subject into shapes• Introduction to gestalt principles of design• Starting a painting…developing strategies• Color, value and line issues
This workshop is suitable for experienced as well as beginner. Lon will be addressing oil paint, pastel, watercolor, and charcoal. Open to all mediums.


MATERIALS LISTThe following is what I have in mind for this workshop. This is a bare bones list. Beyond the requirements, you can fill in as you wish. I’ve listed a lot of stuff. Bring what you have, I will provide the rest. I always carry plenty of material to fill in if you don’t have…or run out.
PAINTS
Oils or acrylicsTitanium white India YellowCadmium Lemon yellowDioxizine purpleUltramarine blueViridianSap greenAlizarin crimsonCadmium red medCadmium orangeIvory black
PastelsSame general palette as referenced above: blues, purples, ochres, greens, neutrals.
CharcoalsCompressed charcoalVine charcoalKneadable eraser
BRUSHES
Your choice…I like Princeton, Rosemary-Ivory, Silver (synthetics)
A variety of flats or brights – 1in (12), 3/4in (8), 1/2in (6), 1/4in (4)1 ½ inch sash brush (hardware store paint dept.)
PALETTE KNIFE
Any knife for mixing and spreading paint. We will be mixing and painting with a knife.
SURFACES
Canvas panels, canvas paper, gessoed Bristol board… or whatever surface you choose. 12x12 is a good size. We will be going thru a number of surfaces throughout the two days as we explore various topics. 10 should be sufficient.
Any drawing paper for exploring charcoal line. A sketchbook will suffice.

MEDIUMS
I use odorless mineral spirits for cleaning brushes as well as a medium. Safflower oil or Stand oil for oil paints.
MISC
Easel – Your favorite plein air set-up, or you can use available easels at Wayne Art CenterPalette for mixing paintOdorless mineral spirits or your favorite solventPaper towelsTrash bag for rags.Gloves if you choose
BIO
Lon Brauer is an American artist known for his work in figure and plein air landscape. Born in 1955 and coming of age in the seventies, he has roots in the abstract expressionist movement. Although a representational artist he steers clear of the overtly literal. His work is a mix of the abstract and representational bringing an expressionistic use of paint and materials to create images that challenge the viewer with new perspectives.

Instructor

Lon Brauer