plate no. 2323

William Robertson, Provost of Dundee

oilRomanticismportraitportraitmanbeardclothingglassesface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering realistic skin tones. It also offers practice in depicting textures like fabric and hair.

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 and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with a thin wash of burnt umber.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color, focusing on the background, clothing, and skin tones.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the beard and hair, using small brushstrokes to create texture.
step 06
Develop the folds and shadows in the clothing, using darker values to create depth.
step 07
Paint the glasses, focusing on the reflections and transparency.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of red. Darken colors with burnt umber and lighten with white. Use thin glazes to build up color and depth.

techniques