plate no. 9174

Figure Seated (the Cardinal)

Francis Bacon, 1955

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairdarkseatedman

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and creating mood through limited color palettes and dramatic lighting. It also encourages exploration of abstracting the figure.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a dark underpainting (burnt umber or black).
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and chair, focusing on proportions.
step 03
Block in the darkest areas with a mix of black and ultramarine blue.
step 04
Begin building up the figure's form with layers of dark blues, purples, and grays, using loose brushstrokes.
step 05
Add highlights to the face and clothing with touches of white mixed with blues and grays, focusing on capturing the distorted expression.
step 06
Define the chair with dark browns and blacks, using visible brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Refine the details of the figure and chair, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches of color and texture to enhance the expressive quality of the painting.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red

Achieve the dark, moody tones by mixing black with ultramarine blue and small amounts of burnt umber. Use white sparingly to create highlights and subtle variations in value.

techniques

·dry brush
·scumbling
·layering
·expressive brushwork
·limited palette

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Using too much white and creating a washed-out effect.
→Failing to capture the distorted proportions of the figure.
→Not establishing a strong value contrast.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ultramarine blue, ivory black, titanium white, burnt umber, cadmium red)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags