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Washington's Color Palette


Actually, this is the color palette of Rhode Island artist Gilbert Charles Stuart (1755-1828).


Living through the American Revolution, then receiving the commission to paint the portrait of our first President summoned nothing but the highest standards of vision and excellence.


Stuart's oil paint palette:

Antwerp blue= Prussian Blue Oil Paint

Yellow ocher=Yellow Ocher Oil Paint

Vermilion=Vermilion Oil Paint

Cadmium Red Light Oil Paint

Madder lake=Alizarin Crimson Oil Paint

Burnt umber=Burnt Umber Oil Paint

Ivory black=Bone Black Oil Paint

White lead=Lead White Oil Paint

Asphaltum and/or Van Dyke brown=Cassel Earth Paint


Here's a link to another well written essay by George O'Hanlon for Natural Pigments explaining Mr. Stuart's paints & pigments during this amazing time in American history. Gilbert Stuart's Palette


Happy President's Day!


Photo Credit: George Washington, 24" x29" oil on canvas, 1797, housed in the Clark Art Institute


#NaturalPigments #RublevOilPaints #GeorgeOHanlon #GeorgeWashington #Portrait #ClarkArtInstitute #ArtLesson #SilverOakArt

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