plate no. 4441

Homage to Van Gogh

Francis Bacon, 1960

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurehatpipeabstracthomage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing distorted forms. It also encourages experimentation with color and texture to convey emotion.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, focusing on the overall composition.
step 03
Begin to define the features of the face, using loose and expressive brushstrokes.
step 04
Add layers of color to build depth and create texture.
step 05
Introduce highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
step 06
Refine the details, paying attention to the expressive qualities of the brushwork.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · crimson red · viridian green · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · raw umber

Mix crimson red and ivory black to create darker reds. Use viridian green and ivory black to create shadows. Mix cerulean blue and titanium white for the background and hat highlights.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color layering
·scumbling
·dry brushing
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Being too literal and not embracing the distorted forms.
→Using colors that are too clean and not mixing them to create depth.
→Failing to capture the emotional intensity of the subject.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (crimson red, viridian green, ivory black, titanium white, cerulean blue, raw umber)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round, flat)
·palette knife
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags