plate no. 4078

Paddington Interior, Harry Diamond

Lucian Freud, 1970

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairinteriorclothingroom

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, capturing likeness, and understanding subtle color variations to create form. It also provides practice in rendering textures and creating a sense of depth through layering and brushwork.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, chair, and background, paying attention to the overall composition.
step 02
Establish the main value structure by blocking in the darkest and lightest areas with thin washes of color.
step 03
Begin to build up the skin tones using a limited palette, focusing on subtle color shifts and variations.
step 04
Work on the clothing and chair, layering colors and textures to create depth and form.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Add details to the background, such as the furniture and walls, to create a sense of space and atmosphere.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and value contrast to create a cohesive and harmonious painting.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · raw umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · burnt sienna · ivory black · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use raw umber and black to create shadows and darker areas. Add small amounts of blue or green to neutralize colors and create depth.

techniques

·alla prima
·dry brushing
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Using colors that are too saturated or bright.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·Oil paints (raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ivory black, cadmium red light)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags