plate no. 1913

The Repentant Magdalen

oil, canvasBaroquereligious paintingfigureskullbookcavereligiousdrapery

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering realistic skin tones and hair, as well as understanding chiaroscuro to create depth and drama. Students will also learn how to depict realistic drapery and still life elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a preliminary sketch outlining the composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, skull, and book.
step 02
Establish the dark background using a thin wash of dark brown or black.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the figure, skull, book, and drapery with basic color mixtures.
step 04
Begin layering and blending the skin tones, paying close attention to the highlights and shadows on the face and hands.
step 05
Develop the drapery folds and highlights, using a combination of blending and slightly visible brushstrokes.
step 06
Render the details of the skull and book, focusing on accurate proportions and textures.
step 07
Refine the hair, using thin brushstrokes to create individual strands and highlights.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall depth and realism of the painting.

color palette

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

secondary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna

Skin tones can be achieved by mixing titanium white, yellow ochre, and a touch of burnt sienna or raw umber. Vary the proportions to create different shades and highlights. Use ultramarine blue and white for the blue drapery, adding a touch of raw umber to desaturate the color.

techniques

·chiaroscuro
·glazing
·blending
·scumbling
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, resulting in a flat, lifeless appearance.
→Incorrect proportions of the figure or skull.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (ivory black, raw umber, titanium white, yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, burnt sienna)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·palette
·palette knife
·rags