plate no. 8329
Ascension of Saint Mary Magdalene
Antonio del Pollaiolo, 1460
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, drapery rendering, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice in mixing subtle color variations to achieve a realistic skin tone and fabric texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 30 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch outlining the main figures and landscape elements.
- step 02
Establish the background sky and mountain using thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main figure of Mary Magdalene with a base tone of yellow ochre and raw umber.
- step 04
Start adding shadows and highlights to the figure to create form and dimension.
- step 05
Paint the angels, paying attention to the drapery and wing details.
- step 06
Refine the landscape elements, adding details to the rocks and vegetation.
- step 07
Add the halos and other symbolic elements.
- step 08
Apply final glazes to unify the painting and enhance the colors.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw umber · ultramarine blue · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · vermilion · ivory black · gold
Mix various shades of yellow ochre and raw umber with white to achieve the skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and white for the sky, and burnt sienna and vermilion for the angel wings. Mix ivory black with other colors to create shadows.
techniques
- ·figure drawing
- ·drapery rendering
- ·glazing
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·chiaroscuro
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Overworking the details and losing the overall harmony.
- →Failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·vermilion oil paint
- ·ivory black oil paint
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Prepare the canvas with gesso before painting.
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