Portrait Painting Demonstration by American Realist Painter Susan Lyon

A portrait painting demonstration by American Realist Painter Susan Lyon. Taken from a longer interview with Susan by Alex Tzavaras. Watch the full interview here:

Susan Lyon studied art at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. She was also a member of Chicago’s Palette and Chisel Club, where she met her husband, artist Scott Burdick and worked alongside other renowned realist painters like Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik.

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[SIMPLIFYDrawingandPainting]

Become a Master Painter in Just 90 Days

Learn my MOST Effective Techniques (In Only 4 Minutes)

[PHeMoX]

These types of blocking in strategies are so valuable to getting an accurate likeness too! Big shapes to smaller shapes and details in the right positions. Easy to underestimate this about all of this.

[GalleryBry]

Using a large brush to start is incredibly helpful❗️Focusing on large shapes first is such a great way to chisel out a likeness. It makes finding the features so much easier. Wiping out highlights with a rag is also a helpful method. It really forces one to stick to large shapes. Lots of sage wisdom in this video. Can’t wait to see more.

[crisalidathomassie]

I watched the entire interview and I find it very valuable, inspiring and educational! So many times we miss to pay attention to shapes and transitions, then we realize we have to do it again. Thanks so much for the tutorial! Blessings and take care.

[elsagrace]

Oh, that was so good. Great reiteration of advice to start the day with!

[yematosan]

Thanks to Susan, anyway I want to tell you that your art technic is first category . Keep doing this good wark Alex Tezavares 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🤝

[duantorruellas]

She's amazing, I really like when people use a limited pallet to do portraits like this . I'm still trying to perfect my painterly technique, so I agree with her it's about efficiency in laying down a stroke and leaving it . Noodling and over painting is a demon I've been fighting for a while as an artist my self.

[harryainsworth]

This is amazing, as a poor student, these tutorials are indispensable, thank you so much. As a beginner, i find it easier to do as this lady suggests, and start with large shapes and move downward, instead of starting with an underpainting, she reminds me of carolus duran and some of sargents earlier works.

[benteborghill]

Beautiful demo. Thank you so much ❤ such a help!

[davirosa]

Thanks Alex and Susan, this demo is a great source of knowledge and inspiration! Hugs from Brazil!!

[ejtullis]

Painting portraits was always difficult for me how she makes this seem effortless is amazing.

[grandpa_eric]

I think Susan is successful in her portrait technique because she has a good eye for placement, for drawing. To think she begins with the darks, no alignment marks, and no planes. I wasn’t feeling the structure in the light side until the very end. She did well in this demo. A testament to her technique.

[mertyam]

Love this super teaching, so beautifully done, and I have been painting all my life, t d not get to Art College, so have learned so much watching this video today thank you, I have been getting so much help from these super videos such talented artists this lady has filled in a lot of knowledge for me <thank you so much.

[syverlauritz]

It's very refreshing to hear a pro admitting to struggling with basic stuff like stroke economy just like the rest of us mortals.

[plantagenant]

Fascinating watching this "blocking in" process..()I've also heard it called "painting into the fog" with the painting method of somebody like Scott Waddell who finishes one area at a time.

[lewisillustration]

love the process and you explain things so well, thank you for this video it really helps me understand a better approach I think to painting, thank you.

[a.s.]

It is such a fantastic video. Thank you so much!

[melcryarfineart]

Excellent content as always. Thank you!

[nidhimoda]

Please do a video on varnishing a painting, as a follow-on to your video on mediums. Thank you.

[el]

Fantastic video!! Do you happen to recall what Susan's palette consisted of?