plate no. 9500

Study for a Portrait of Van Gogh IV

Francis Bacon, 1957

oil, canvasExpressionismportraitfigureportraitlandscapehattreesground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and simplifying complex forms into basic shapes. It also encourages experimentation with color and value to create mood and atmosphere.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes of the figure, hat, and background elements using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: red for the ground, blue for the sky, green for the background, and dark tones for the figure.
step 03
Start applying thicker paint with visible brushstrokes, focusing on capturing the direction and energy of the strokes.
step 04
Use a limited palette to mix variations of the main colors, adding highlights and shadows to create depth.
step 05
Pay attention to the way light falls on the figure, using white and light blue to create highlights.
step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with bold brushstrokes, allowing some areas to blend and others to remain distinct.
step 07
Add details to the hat and other elements, using smaller brushes to create texture and form.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making adjustments as needed to balance the colors and values.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · cadmium yellow · viridian green

Mix the dark tones by combining black and blue. Create variations of red by adding small amounts of yellow or white. Use white to create highlights on the figure and hat.

techniques