plate no. 9696

St. Mary of Egypt

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureskulldraperylandscapereligiouscave

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure painting, particularly rendering skin tones and drapery, as well as understanding chiaroscuro and creating a sense of depth. It also provides practice in depicting textures like fabric and bone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch outlining the main shapes: figure, drapery, skulls, and background.
step 02
Establish the dark background tones using thin washes of burnt umber and black.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the figure with mid-tones, paying attention to the overall value structure.
step 04
Begin layering lighter values on the figure to define the form and create highlights.
step 05
Add details to the face, focusing on the subtle shifts in value to create a realistic likeness.
step 06
Paint the drapery, using a limited palette to create a sense of depth and shadow.
step 07
Render the skulls, carefully observing the highlights and shadows to create a three-dimensional effect.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and compelling image.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix skin tones using white, raw sienna, a touch of burnt umber, and a hint of red. Achieve darker tones by adding ivory black to burnt umber. Use yellow ochre and white for the skull.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·scumbling
·underpainting
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using too many colors, resulting in a muddy appearance.
→Ignoring the subtle shifts in value on the face.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (burnt umber, raw sienna, ivory black, titanium white, yellow ochre, cadmium red light)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette knife
·rags