plate no. 0458

John Maclauchlan, Chief Librarian of Dundee Free Library

oilRomanticismportraitportraitmanbookclothingfigureformal

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also provides practice in creating subtle value gradations and depicting fabrics.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and book.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone brown, establishing the overall value range.
step 03
Begin layering in the skin tones, starting with the shadows and gradually adding highlights.
step 04
Paint the clothing, paying attention to the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.
step 06
Refine the book, adding details such as the pages and cover.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · ivory black

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing burnt umber, raw sienna, alizarin crimson, and titanium white. Darken colors with ivory black and lighten with titanium white. Use ultramarine blue to create the dark shades in the clothing.

techniques