plate no. 8705

St. Mary Magdalene

oil, canvasMannerism (Late Renaissance)religious paintingfigurewomanskulllandscapecloudsreligious

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and drama.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the main shapes and composition lightly on the canvas.
step 02
Establish the dark background tones using thin washes of dark colors.
step 03
Block in the basic skin tones of the figure, paying attention to light and shadow.
step 04
Start defining the drapery, focusing on the folds and highlights.
step 05
Add details to the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Paint the hair, creating texture and volume with varying brushstrokes.
step 07
Render the skull and other details, paying attention to their form and texture.
step 08
Refine the overall painting, adjusting values and adding final highlights.

color palette

primary · ivory black · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue · sap green

Mix skin tones using white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Create shadows by adding raw umber and blue. Achieve the dark background by mixing black, umber, and a touch of blue.

techniques