plate no. 7293
Mary Magdalene with Oil Lamp
Georges de la Tour, 1635
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand chiaroscuro and how to create a focal point using light. It will also help them practice painting skin tones in low light conditions.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 15 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, skull, and lamp.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background with a dark brown or black.
- step 03
Block in the main light source (candle) and the areas directly illuminated by it.
- step 04
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with the darkest shadows and gradually adding lighter values.
- step 05
Paint the details of the skull, paying attention to the subtle variations in tone.
- step 06
Add the details of the books and oil lamp, using small brushes for precision.
- step 07
Refine the edges and blend the transitions between light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final highlights to the candle flame and other key areas.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · raw umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium yellow light
Mix burnt umber and raw umber for the dark background. Add titanium white to these colors to create the lighter skin tones. Use yellow ochre and cadmium yellow light sparingly for highlights and the candle flame.
techniques
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·glazing
- ·scumbling
- ·underpainting
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value contrast.
- →Over-blending the skin tones, resulting in a flat appearance.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure or skull wrong.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in tone within the shadows.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·burnt umber oil paint
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·yellow ochre oil paint
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
- ·linseed oil
- ·palette
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·medium gloss
- ·retouch varnish
Use a canvas with a smooth surface for easier blending. Consider using a toned canvas to speed up the painting process.
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