plate no. 3891

Pope II

Francis Bacon, 1951

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurechairdark backgroundgeometric structure

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and creating depth with a limited color palette. It also encourages experimentation with abstracting forms while maintaining a recognizable subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, including the figure, chair, and geometric framework.
step 02
Block in the darkest areas of the background with a dark blue or black.
step 03
Establish the main shapes of the figure with a base layer of dark purple and blue.
step 04
Begin adding highlights to the figure and chair using lighter shades of purple, blue, and white.
step 05
Define the geometric framework with thin lines of white or light blue.
step 06
Add details to the face, paying attention to the expressive brushstrokes.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · alizarin crimson · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · burnt umber

Mix various shades of purple by combining ultramarine blue and alizarin crimson. Use white to create lighter tints and burnt umber to darken the colors. Yellow ochre can be used sparingly for highlights and accents.

techniques