plate no. 3456

The Old King

Georges Rouault, 1936

oil, canvasExpressionismsymbolic paintingfigurekingportraitcrownrobesymbolic

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive brushwork and color mixing to create mood and texture. It also encourages simplification of form and bold mark-making.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background using a light pencil or charcoal.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the overall composition and value relationships.
step 03
Start building up layers of paint, using bold brushstrokes to define the forms and create texture.
step 04
Mix colors directly on the canvas to achieve the desired effects.
step 05
Add details such as the king's face, crown, and robe, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the forms, paying attention to the interplay of light and shadow.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.
step 08
Allow the painting to dry completely before varnishing.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · ivory black

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and white. Create the background blues by mixing ultramarine blue with white and a touch of yellow ochre. Darken colors with ivory black.

techniques

·impasto
·broken color
·alla prima
·scumbling
·expressive brushwork

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Getting bogged down in details too early in the process.
→Not paying attention to the overall composition and value relationships.
→Using colors straight from the tube without mixing them.
→Failing to capture the expressive quality of the original painting.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·Stretched canvas (16x20 inches)
·Oil paints (burnt sienna, ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, ivory black, cadmium red, viridian green, titanium white)
·Assorted brushes (flat, round, filbert)
·Palette
·Palette knife
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Linseed oil
·Rags