plate no. 6559

Man in a Mackintosh

Lucian Freud, 1958

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitmanglassesjackethairwood paneling

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to depict skin tones and capturing realistic textures using visible brushstrokes. It also emphasizes the importance of accurate proportions and subtle value changes in portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 25 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of features.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color for the background, skin, clothing, and hair.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the face, building up the skin tones with subtle variations.
step 04
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
step 05
Work on the clothing, capturing the texture and folds of the jacket.
step 06
Refine the background, adding details to the wood paneling.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the entire painting.
step 08
Let dry and add a varnish layer.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · burnt sienna

Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, cadmium red, and a touch of raw umber. Use ultramarine blue and burnt sienna to create grays and shadows.

techniques

·layering
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overblending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
→Inaccurate proportions, leading to a distorted likeness.
→Ignoring subtle value changes, making the portrait look unrealistic.
→Getting lost in details too early, before establishing the overall composition.