plate no. 1657

John Elder, WS, Law Agent to the Royal Scottish Academy

oilRomanticismportraitportraitmanfigureglassesdark backgroundformal wear

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle variations in skin tones and creating depth with a limited color palette. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures, such as hair and fabric.

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 head and shoulders using light pencil lines.
step 02
Block in the dark background using a mix of black and burnt umber.
step 03
Establish the main areas of light and shadow on the face with thin washes of color.
step 04
Gradually build up the skin tones, layering different shades of pink, red, and yellow.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows.
step 06
Paint the hair, using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture.
step 07
Render the clothing, focusing on the folds and creases in the fabric.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt umber · titanium white · cadmium red light

secondary · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Mix white with small amounts of red, yellow ochre, and burnt umber to create realistic skin tones. Use black and burnt umber for the background and clothing, adding small amounts of blue or red to adjust the tone.

techniques