plate no. 0096

Head of an Irishman

Lucian Freud, 1999

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingfacehair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop their understanding of color temperature and how to use visible brushstrokes to define form. It's also a good exercise in capturing likeness and expression.

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 background.
step 02
Establish the main areas of light and shadow with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin building up layers of paint, focusing on the planes of the face and the structure of the features.
step 04
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the form and create texture.
step 05
Pay close attention to the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 07
Add the details of the clothing and background, maintaining the loose, expressive brushwork.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and compelling portrait.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, and a touch of red. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the darks in the clothing and background.

techniques