plate no. 0573

Park of Schönbrunn

Gustav Klimt, 1916

oil, canvasSymbolismlandscapetreeswaterparkreflectionfigureslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in color mixing to achieve subtle variations in greens and blues, as well as practice layering brushstrokes to create texture and depth. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into manageable shapes and color blocks.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, indicating the horizon line, the main shapes of the trees, and the water's edge.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the sky and the water, using diluted paint.
step 03
Begin layering different shades of green and yellow for the trees and foliage, using short, broken brushstrokes.
step 04
Add darker greens and blues to create shadows and depth within the foliage.
step 05
Paint the reflections in the water, mirroring the colors and shapes of the trees above, but with a slightly blurred effect.
step 06
Add the figures along the path, keeping them simple and small in scale.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and foliage, adding highlights and texture with lighter colors.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the colors and values to create a sense of harmony and balance.

color palette

primary · yellow green · sap green · cerulean blue · titanium white

secondary · ultramarine blue · raw umber · yellow ochre

Achieve the various greens by mixing yellow and blue with white. Use raw umber to tone down the greens and create shadows. Mix white and blue for the sky and reflections.

techniques

·broken color
·scumbling
·layering
·color mixing
·alla prima

common pitfalls

→Overworking the painting and losing the freshness of the brushstrokes.
→Creating too much detail and losing the overall impressionistic effect.
→Not paying attention to the color temperature of the greens, resulting in a flat or unnatural look.
→Ignoring the reflections in the water and failing to create a sense of depth.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (18x24 inches)
·oil paints (yellow green, sap green, cerulean blue, ultramarine blue, titanium white, raw umber, yellow ochre)
·palette
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits
·palette knife