plate no. 4600

Old Jew

Alexander Bogen, 1973

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanbeardhead coveringface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing, expressive brushwork, and capturing a likeness with bold, non-traditional colors. It also provides practice in creating depth and form using value and color temperature.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, beard, and shoulders onto the canvas.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background with a thin layer of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color on the face, beard, and clothing, using broad strokes.
step 04
Begin layering colors, focusing on capturing the light and shadow patterns.
step 05
Use short, directional brushstrokes to define the forms and add texture.
step 06
Mix and apply the secondary colors to create depth and interest.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the contrast and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · red · green · blue · yellow

secondary · brown · black · white · orange

Achieve skin tones by mixing reds, yellows, and blues with white. Darken colors with burnt umber or black, and lighten with white or yellow. Use complementary colors to create muted tones.

techniques