plate no. 2101

John William Ramsay, 13th Earl of Dalhousie

oilRomanticismportraitportraitfigurechairbookclothingman

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 depth and atmosphere through subtle value shifts.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the figure, chair, and book.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark, muted tone.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones on the face and hands, paying attention to highlights and shadows.
step 04
Begin building up the details of the clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
step 05
Refine the features of the face, adding subtle details to capture the likeness.
step 06
Add details to the chair and book, paying attention to their textures and forms.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · yellow ochre · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Mix various shades of brown and gray by combining ivory black, raw umber, and burnt sienna. Add titanium white to lighten the tones and alizarin crimson and yellow ochre for skin tones.

techniques