plate no. 9230

Penitent Mary Magdalene

oilBaroquereligious paintingfigurehairreligiouscrossdraperyhalo

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in rendering skin tones and soft lighting. It also offers practice in depicting drapery and creating a focal point through light and composition.

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, cross, and drapery.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, warm tone, leaving space for the halo.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, paying attention to proportions and pose.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, starting with mid-tones and gradually adding highlights and shadows.
step 05
Paint the hair, using a variety of warm browns and golds to create depth and texture.
step 06
Render the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights to create a sense of volume.
step 07
Add details to the cross and the figure's expression.
step 08
Refine the lighting and blending to create a soft, luminous effect.

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 the dark background and shadows.

techniques