The work of Lucien Freud (who himself will soon be depicted on the big screen in the upcoming film Moss & Freud, played by Derek Jacobi) informed the style of unfinished Christopher paintings which, in the film’s world, were begun by Sklar in the 1990s. For that reason, Freud and “figurative painters from the end of the last century” served as important references, Barnaby reveals. Barnaby also admits that at this stage in the process he was able to infuse more of his personal style of painting: “In this particular situation, they do follow my own figurative work,” he says. Conversely, the completed ‘Christophers’, were influenced by Francis Bacon, “because he’s much more wild,” and Andy Warhol. “We really went quite mad,” Barnaby laughs.
Barnaby also notes that his role on productions like this often extends beyond merely making the props, but also teaching the actors like Coel and McKellen how to move and work like a true painter. “When I worked on Gambit, where I was doing some huge Pollocks, I had to learn just how he [painted], and then teach the actors how to make those physical movements.”