plate no. 3863
Mary Magdalen with Saint John the Baptist and An Angel
Giulio Cesare Procaccini, 1600
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and subtle gradations of light and shadow. It also provides practice in depicting drapery and understanding classical composition.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the background with a thin wash of dark brown and umber tones.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of skin tone, using a limited palette of white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the subtle shifts in value and color.
- step 05
Develop the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the hair and other elements, using smaller brushes.
- step 07
Glaze the painting with thin layers of color to enhance the depth and luminosity.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of realism.
color palette
primary · titanium white · yellow ochre · burnt umber · cadmium red
secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black
Mix skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black to create shadows. Mix blue and white for the drapery.
techniques
- ·glazing
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the skin tones, resulting in a muddy or flat appearance.
- →Failing to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
- →Ignoring the importance of accurate proportions.
- →Getting lost in details too early in the process.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·oil paints
- ·linseed oil
- ·turpentine
- ·palette
- ·assorted brushes
- ·palette knife
optional
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
- ·easel
Use high-quality oil paints for best results. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next.
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