william creech commissioned alexander nasmyth to paint burns' portrait from which john beugo engraved the copper plate required for the printing process. nasmyth was a landscape painter and was reluctant to take on the work however he met with burns and they became friends resulting in nasmyth producing a portrait which he never fully completed due to his concern over spoiling what he had already achieved. john beugo the engraver arranged several sittings with burns and produced a better likeness as confirmed by gilbert burns. nasmyth refused payment from creech and gave the painting to jean armour.