Sir Henry Raeburn

Happy Birthday Sir Henry Raeburn!! The Scottish portrait painter was born in 1756. After being orphaned early on, Raeburn originally began as an apprentice to a goldsmith, but then became a painter of miniatures. Several years later he was commissioned to paint a full portrait where he found his niche. Raeburn married a wealthy widow which allowed him to paint fulltime. He was accomplished at drawing, drawing straight on the canvas with his brush. The portrait of William Blair below is an excellent example of Rembrandt Lighting.

 Rembrandt Lighting-lighting technique developed by Rembrandt van Rijn where the subject is portrayed in a bright light with the rest of the background fairly dark. The aim is to create a dominant force or center of interest with the less important information in dim light. The Mona Lisa is also a great example, with her face brilliantly lit and her folded hands not so bright.