plate no. 5598

Francis Wyndham

Lucian Freud, 1993

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanfaceshirthead

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering paint to create depth and form, and in using visible brushstrokes to add texture and character to a portrait. It also encourages observation of subtle color variations in skin tones.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and shirt.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin wash of muted green-gray.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face with thin layers of color.
step 04
Begin building up the skin tones with thicker paint, using short, directional brushstrokes.
step 05
Mix and apply the colors for the shirt, paying attention to the folds and shadows.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using smaller brushes.
step 07
Add highlights to the face and shirt to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to achieve a cohesive and expressive portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · raw umber

secondary · viridian · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and small amounts of red and umber. Use viridian and ultramarine to create the background color. Mix red and white for the shirt.

techniques

·alla prima
·broken color
·scumbling
·impasto
·layering

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Failing to observe and capture the subtle color variations in the face.
→Ignoring the direction of the brushstrokes, which can add texture and form.
→Getting the proportions wrong in the initial sketch.
→Using too much paint too early.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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