plate no. 9519

Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalen (Noli Me Tangere)

Graham Sutherland, 1961

oilSurrealismreligious paintingfiguresstairsarchitecturereligious scenegarden

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice expressive brushstrokes and color mixing to create a sense of depth and emotion. It also encourages simplification of complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of figures and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color: red for the wall, green for the background, and initial tones for the figures.
step 03
Develop the color variations within each area, using broken color and visible brushstrokes.
step 04
Refine the shapes of the figures, paying attention to the drapery and anatomical details.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create depth and form.
step 06
Introduce smaller details like the window frame and foliage.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to achieve the desired mood.
step 08
Add final touches and details with smaller brushes.

color palette

primary · cadmium red · emerald green · titanium white

secondary · cerulean blue · yellow ochre

Mix greens by blending emerald green with yellow ochre and white. Achieve the red-orange hues by mixing cadmium red with yellow ochre. Use cerulean blue to create cooler tones and shadows.

techniques