Lucian Freud (2)

After painting a first portrait of Lucian Freud just a few days after he died (see my previous post with regard to Lucian Freud), I set out to do a second one, this time experimenting with quick broad and loose brushstrokes in combination with vivid colours. Some last-minute adjustments to the mouth and chin rather messed up the likeness it had before. I decided not to try to readjust with the risk of losing more of its previous spontaneity and just leave it as it is. Based on a photo I came across on the internet. Acrylic on canvas (30 x 40 cm).

Lucian Freud (1922-2011)

Last Christmas I got Martin Gayford's book "Man in a Blue Scarf; On Sitting for a Portrait by Lucian Freud" as a present and very much enjoyed reading it. It gives an interesting insight on how Lucian Freud went about painting a portrait (or rather several at the same time) but also an insight in the life and personality of the artist (and to some extent of the sitter which in the case of art historian Gayford is certainly interesting too).
After hearing that Lucian Freud died I thought of doing some kind of tribute for this great figurative artist. So I set out to do a portrait of the artist based on a photo that featured in a collection of photos the Guardian published to commemorate the artist.
This is the first stage of my portrait. At a certain point I had a likeness that rather appealed to me, but it got lost. Perhaps I can pick it up again in the next stage. Acrylic on canvas (50 x 60 cm).