lucian freud

i have posted about lucian freud before but being one of my absolute favourite artists, a couple of posts is just not enough. his work is so inspiring to me! i find his paintings so honest and full of energy. the confident, thick paint strokes and colours are bold and literal. his work makes me want to do portraits. to paint people. this is something i struggle with - a kind of fear of failing to be true to the subject - both in terms of their personality and their biological form. freud does this so well. both his oil paintings and stunning etchings are so intense in their candour.

freud paints people who he is close to in life but was also once asked to paint the queen. its interesting how he chose to paint such a grand figure on such a small canvas (23.5cm x 15.2cm)!
freud is also known as part of the 'london School of artists' along with michael andrews, frank auerbach (portrait by freud above), francis bacon, r. b. kitaj and leon kossoff - a group of artists who each in their own way took great interest in the human figure. wonderful.

i recently bought this book on freud and since reading through it a couple of days ago i am so excited about starting to work on people!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

i can't wait to see your portraits!!!

shari said...

great inspiration and i agree with risa! xo

Ursula Achten said...

I haven't read much about Freud yet, but I liked nearly everything I've seen up to now!
It's so wonderful to be infected like this! If it leads to learning something new it's perfect!
I'm curious!!

ruby-crowned kinglette said...

wow, you make me want to draw! these are wonderful. and so is your start.

Anonymous said...

So great when inspiration strikes and runs through you like an electric surge... I can't wait to see what you come up with, and yes, Freud's work is brilliant.

Rebecca said...

i agree, he is fabulous. i love seeing his work in person... sigh.

Anonymous said...

How exciting, I can't wait to see your portraits...love anything you create!