plate no. 2213

Mary Magdalene

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigurewomanreligioushairjarhands

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and creating dramatic lighting effects. It also provides practice in depicting flowing hair and subtle hand gestures.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure and the jar.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of light and shadow on the face, neck, and hands.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, blending carefully to create smooth transitions.
step 05
Paint the hair, using varied brushstrokes to suggest texture and movement.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the direction of light.
step 07
Refine the details of the hands and the jar, adding highlights and shadows.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the overall composition, ensuring that the values are balanced and the focal point is clear.

color palette

primary · titanium white · raw umber · burnt sienna · yellow ochre

secondary · alizarin crimson · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna and alizarin crimson. Use raw umber and ivory black to create shadows and darker areas.

techniques