plate no. 8074

Man with a Blue Scarf

Lucian Freud, 2005

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanscarffacehair

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and capturing likeness through color and value relationships. It also provides practice in mixing skin tones and creating depth with impasto techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic proportions and placement of the figure on the canvas.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the face, hair, and clothing with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin layering thicker paint, focusing on the areas of light and shadow.
step 04
Mix a variety of skin tones using warm and cool colors, and apply them with expressive brushstrokes.
step 05
Define the features of the face, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, using a smaller brush.
step 07
Create texture by applying thick impasto paint in some areas.
step 08
Refine the painting, adjusting the colors and values as needed.

color palette

primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt umber, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the dark background and shadows.

techniques

·impasto
·expressive brushwork
·color mixing
·layering
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value.
→Being too timid with the brushstrokes.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt umber, ultramarine blue, cadmium red, ivory black)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·rags