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home·artworks·Emilie Flöge, Aged 17
Emilie Flöge, Aged 17 by Gustav Klimt

plate no. 2746

Emilie Flöge, Aged 17

Gustav Klimt, 1891

pastel, paperArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitfigurewomandresshairjewelry
some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing subtle variations in skin tone and creating a sense of depth through soft blending. It also provides practice in rendering delicate fabrics and details.

technical profile

palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the angle of the head and the placement of features.

  2. step 02

    Establish the background color with a thin, even layer of a warm neutral tone.

  3. step 03

    Begin blocking in the main areas of the face, hair, and clothing with light, muted colors.

  4. step 04

    Gradually build up the values in the face, using soft blending to create smooth transitions between light and shadow.

  5. step 05

    Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, focusing on capturing the likeness of the subject.

  6. step 06

    Render the clothing with loose, flowing strokes, suggesting the texture and folds of the fabric.

  7. step 07

    Add the hair, using darker tones to create depth and dimension.

  8. step 08

    Refine the details and adjust the values as needed to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

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

secondary · alizarin crimson · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing white, yellow ochre, and a touch of red or brown. Use black sparingly to create shadows and depth. Mix white with a touch of yellow ochre for the dress.

techniques

  • ·soft blending
  • ·layering
  • ·value control
  • ·portrait sketching
  • ·rendering fabric

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the details and losing the soft, ethereal quality of the original.
  • →Using too much black, which can make the painting look muddy.
  • →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
  • →Ignoring the subtle variations in skin tone.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

  • ·stretched canvas
  • ·acrylic gesso
  • ·titanium white oil paint
  • ·yellow ochre oil paint
  • ·raw umber oil paint
  • ·ivory black oil paint
  • ·#2 round brush
  • ·#6 flat brush

optional

  • ·palette knife
  • ·linseed oil
  • ·odorless mineral spirits
  • ·medium gloss

Use a smooth canvas for best results. Consider toning the canvas with a thin wash of raw umber before starting.

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