plate no. 8512

Head of a Man

Lucian Freud, 1982

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitmanfigureclothingbackground figures

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing with a limited palette, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Focus on the skin tones, mixing a range of warm and cool browns, reds, and yellows to capture the subtle variations in color.
step 04
Build up the texture of the face and clothing with short, deliberate brushstrokes, paying attention to the direction of the light.
step 05
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small brushes to capture the subtle nuances of expression.
step 06
Add the background figures, keeping them soft and slightly out of focus to create depth.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a sense of unity and harmony.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · yellow ochre

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, and titanium white with small amounts of cadmium red light and yellow ochre. Use ivory black to darken shadows and create contrast.

techniques

·alla prima
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color layering
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong, leading to a distorted likeness.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value, resulting in a monotonous painting.
→Being too timid with the brushstrokes, resulting in a lack of texture and energy.