plate no. 0148

Portrait of Michel Leris

Francis Bacon, 1978

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigurefaceexpressionismdark background

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth and distortion. It also encourages experimentation with unconventional portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the basic head shape and facial features, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Block in the background with a solid layer of black paint.
step 03
Establish the darkest values on the face, paying attention to the shadows and contours.
step 04
Mix a range of skin tones using purples, reds, browns, and whites, and apply them in loose, expressive strokes.
step 05
Focus on capturing the distorted and exaggerated features of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add highlights and details to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the face, blending some areas and leaving others rough and textured.
step 08
Add the final details, such as the white line connecting the ear to the face.

color palette

primary · ivory black · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · burnt umber · cadmium red light

Achieve the skin tones by mixing reds, blues, and browns with white. Use varying amounts of each color to create subtle shifts in hue and value. The purple tones are crucial and can be achieved by mixing blue and red.

techniques

·expressive brushwork
·color blending
·layering
·scumbling
·impasto

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the spontaneity of the brushstrokes.
→Failing to capture the distorted and exaggerated features of the face.
→Using too much detail and creating a realistic rather than expressive portrait.
→Not creating enough contrast between the light and dark areas.