plate no. 9780

The Penitent Magdalen (Vanitas)

oil, canvasTenebrismreligious paintingfigureskullportraitreligiousdraperytenebrism

experienced study

Recreating this painting will develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing subtle facial expressions and the fall of light and shadow. It also provides practice in rendering realistic textures like skin, fabric, and bone.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Prepare a toned canvas with a mid-tone brown.
step 02
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure's head, shoulders, hand, and the skull.
step 03
Establish the darkest shadows using a thin wash of burnt umber and black.
step 04
Begin layering in the mid-tones, focusing on the planes of the face and skull.
step 05
Introduce highlights gradually, mixing white with small amounts of yellow ochre and red for the skin.
step 06
Define the drapery with loose, visible brushstrokes, paying attention to the folds and highlights.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, especially the eyes and mouth, to capture the expression.
step 08
Add final glazes to unify the colors and deepen the shadows.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · titanium white · yellow ochre

secondary · cadmium red · ivory black

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red. Use burnt umber and black for shadows, and add small amounts of red or yellow to warm or cool the tones.

techniques