plate no. 7721
Man and Child, 1963
Francis Bacon, 1963
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing distorted figures. It also encourages experimentation with color and texture to convey emotion.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the window.
- step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background and table.
- step 03
Add the figures, focusing on capturing their distorted forms and proportions.
- step 04
Develop the details of the window and chair, using loose brushstrokes.
- step 05
Create texture on the table surface by layering different colors and using a dry brush technique.
- step 06
Refine the values and contrast to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to the figures and the background.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · purple · yellow · green · red
secondary · blue · brown · white
Mix purple by combining red and blue. Achieve the table's color by layering red, blue, and brown. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.
techniques
- ·dry brush
- ·layering
- ·expressive brushstrokes
- ·color mixing
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
- →Failing to capture the distorted forms of the figures.
- →Using colors that are too clean and bright.
- →Ignoring the importance of value contrast.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints (purple, yellow, green, red, blue, brown, white)
- ·assorted brushes (flat and round)
- ·palette
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·painting medium
- ·rags
Use a medium-grain canvas for better texture. Consider using a fast-drying medium to speed up the drying time.
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