plate no. 6083

A Painter

Lucian Freud, 1962

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanfacehairshirt

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students understand how to use color temperature and visible brushstrokes to define form and create a sense of depth. It also encourages careful observation of subtle shifts in value and hue within a limited palette.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic proportions and placement of the head, shoulders, and main features.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of yellow ochre and white, using visible brushstrokes.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadow areas on the face with a mix of burnt umber and ultramarine blue.
step 04
Begin building up the mid-tones using a mix of yellow ochre, white, and a touch of burnt sienna.
step 05
Introduce warmer tones (burnt sienna, cadmium red) to the areas of the face that catch the light.
step 06
Paint the hair using a mix of burnt umber, ultramarine blue, and a touch of white, following the direction of the hair growth.
step 07
Paint the shirt with white and a touch of blue and yellow to create subtle shadows.
step 08
Add final details and highlights, paying close attention to the shapes and edges of the forms.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · cadmium red

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and white in varying proportions. Use ultramarine blue to cool down shadows. Add small amounts of cadmium red for warmth in highlights.

techniques

·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value and hue.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Using too much medium, which can make the paint slippery and difficult to control.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt umber, titanium white, ultramarine blue, cadmium red)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags