plate no. 5367

John Francis, 7th Earl of Mar, and Family

oilRomanticismportraitfigureslandscapetreesbuildingskydog

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, composition, and rendering atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in depicting complex drapery and textures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures, the building, and the tree.
step 02
Establish the background sky and distant landscape with thin washes of color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figures with simplified color masses, focusing on accurate proportions.
step 04
Develop the details of the faces, paying attention to light and shadow to create form.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabrics.
step 06
Refine the landscape elements, adding details to the trees and foliage.
step 07
Add the small details like the hat, dog, and children's toys.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and colors to create a cohesive and harmonious composition.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · viridian green

Mix various shades of brown and green by combining burnt umber, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white. Use cadmium red to create the red tones in the figures' clothing.

techniques