William Blake by Francis Bacon

plate no. 7807

William Blake

Francis Bacon, 1955

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfigureheaddark backgroundcollar

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare the canvas with a dark, neutral ground (e.g., black or dark brown).
step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shape and proportions of the head and collar.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face using a limited palette of white, gray, and a touch of purple.
step 04
Focus on capturing the overall form rather than precise details.
step 05
Apply thicker, more expressive brushstrokes to define the features and add texture.
step 06
Use small amounts of color to suggest the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 07
Refine the edges of the form and add highlights to create depth.
step 08
Adjust the overall values and contrast to achieve the desired mood.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · dioxazine purple

secondary · raw umber · payne's gray

Mix white with small amounts of black and purple to create a range of cool grays. Use raw umber to warm up the grays and add depth to the shadows. Payne's gray can be used to darken the black for the background.

techniques

·dry brush
·scumbling
·limited palette
·expressive brushwork
·value study

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details and losing the expressive quality.
→Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
→Not establishing a strong value structure.
→Being too literal and not embracing the abstract nature of the painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Acrylic gesso
·Ivory black oil paint
·Titanium white oil paint
·Dioxazine purple oil paint
·Assorted brushes (flat and round)
·Palette
·Odorless mineral spirits

optional

·Palette knife
·Raw umber oil paint
·Payne's gray oil paint
·Linseed oil

A pre-toned canvas with a dark underpainting will help to establish the overall mood and value structure.

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