The Penitent Magdalene

approach — 8 steps

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ivory black · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, sienna, and a touch of red. Use umber and black for shadows, and add small amounts of blue to cool down the tones.

techniques

• ·chiaroscuro
• ·glazing
• ·scumbling
• ·portraiture
• ·blending

common pitfalls

• →Over-blending, resulting in a flat and lifeless image.
• →Incorrect proportions, especially in the figure's face and hands.
• →Ignoring subtle color variations in the skin and skull.
• →Failing to create a sense of depth in the background.