plate no. 3700

The old Jew

oilImpressionismportraitportraitfigureold manbeardclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating texture with visible brushstrokes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness and conveying emotion through facial expression.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, shoulders, and background.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: the skin tones, the coat, the beard, and the background.
step 03
Start refining the skin tones, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise brushstrokes.
step 05
Work on the beard, using a dry brush technique to create texture and individual hairs.
step 06
Develop the details of the coat, including the collar and buttons.
step 07
Refine the background, adding subtle variations in color and value to create depth.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · payne's gray · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones by combining burnt umber, raw sienna, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Use payne's gray and white to create the cool tones in the background.

techniques