Observing Francis Bacon
I chose the Francis Bacon painting ‘Figure in Movement’. In this image a form is slumped down in the center, made up of curved and sweeping lines it holds a sense of volume, life and movement to the body.
The form for me is reaching out from inside, here the internal emotions are expressed through deformities of the external body. A puzzle of twisted limbs and body parts suggest expressive ideas from inside; that cannot be captured in reality. It portrays frustration and self exploration, a voice inside that cannot be communicated with words or gestures.
It is a very personal piece, and gives an interesting starting point for us to understand our own self expression, and the diverse ways people communicate.
Furthermore it explores the idea that the human body is just a shell and a tool, sometimes a prison. There is a limit as to what we can achieve with the body we are given, and sometimes the vastness of our minds thought can seem to be held back by physicality; which could lead to frustration and self destruction.
In the painting, black layered circles are used almost as an emotional x-ray viewing obscure imagery, giving us more insight into the ambiguous thought of this individual. Over the back of the figure in one circle seems to be a large tongue and the other circle over the face appears to be a brain which is complex as it is messy compared to the starkness and fluidity of the figure.
Further indications that this is indeed a representation of the minds thought is the simple white frame that the body is presented in. The high contrast of the black background and white line is comparable to that of a chalk diagram on a teachers black board adding a certain child-like influence; a childish nature that the body seems to exist within.
In my own interpretation of Bacon’s work I worked with a mix of white acrylic paint and a sludgy brown water colour; that covered an old brush I had left in a water cup for days. This helped me to be more natural in my approach and not to over think the process. I painted shapes onto the paper, building up the layers into organic forms and defining them with charcoal to be more relatable as human.
I tried to combine my own aesthetics into the piece by use of old scraps of paper to collage around the form.
I then photographed the painting and continued to work with layers on Photoshop, adding more texture and variations of atmosphere.
The outcome of this task has directed me to be more aware of my own personal expression, and the type of illustration I wish to pursue in the future, and not that of which I think is expected of me by others.
Francis Bacons work is inspiring as it portrays honesty, whether good or bad.
I chose the Francis Bacon painting ‘Figure in Movement’. In this image a form is slumped down in the center, made up of curved and sweeping lines it holds a sense of volume, life and movement to the body.
The form for me is reaching out from inside, here the internal emotions are expressed through deformities of the external body. A puzzle of twisted limbs and body parts suggest expressive ideas from inside; that cannot be captured in reality. It portrays frustration and self exploration, a voice inside that cannot be communicated with words or gestures.
It is a very personal piece, and gives an interesting starting point for us to understand our own self expression, and the diverse ways people communicate.
Furthermore it explores the idea that the human body is just a shell and a tool, sometimes a prison. There is a limit as to what we can achieve with the body we are given, and sometimes the vastness of our minds thought can seem to be held back by physicality; which could lead to frustration and self destruction.
In the painting, black layered circles are used almost as an emotional x-ray viewing obscure imagery, giving us more insight into the ambiguous thought of this individual. Over the back of the figure in one circle seems to be a large tongue and the other circle over the face appears to be a brain which is complex as it is messy compared to the starkness and fluidity of the figure.
Further indications that this is indeed a representation of the minds thought is the simple white frame that the body is presented in. The high contrast of the black background and white line is comparable to that of a chalk diagram on a teachers black board adding a certain child-like influence; a childish nature that the body seems to exist within.
In my own interpretation of Bacon’s work I worked with a mix of white acrylic paint and a sludgy brown water colour; that covered an old brush I had left in a water cup for days. This helped me to be more natural in my approach and not to over think the process. I painted shapes onto the paper, building up the layers into organic forms and defining them with charcoal to be more relatable as human.
I tried to combine my own aesthetics into the piece by use of old scraps of paper to collage around the form.
I then photographed the painting and continued to work with layers on Photoshop, adding more texture and variations of atmosphere.
The outcome of this task has directed me to be more aware of my own personal expression, and the type of illustration I wish to pursue in the future, and not that of which I think is expected of me by others.
Francis Bacons work is inspiring as it portrays honesty, whether good or bad.
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