plate no. 3427
Study of the Head of a Blind Man
Gustav Klimt, 1896
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students understand value relationships and how to create form using limited color palettes. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with expressive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Prepare a canvas with a mid-tone gray ground.
- step 02
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hair, and collar.
- step 03
Block in the darkest areas of the background and shadows with a dark gray/black mix.
- step 04
Begin adding highlights to the hair and face using a lighter gray/white mix, focusing on broad strokes.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the subtle value changes that define the form.
- step 06
Add details to the collar and neck area, blending the edges to create a soft, ethereal effect.
- step 07
Adjust the overall value contrast to achieve the desired mood and atmosphere.
color palette
primary · ivory black · titanium white
secondary · raw umber
Use a limited palette of black and white, with small amounts of raw umber to warm the grays. Achieve subtle value changes by carefully mixing different ratios of black and white.
techniques
- ·grisaille
- ·dry brushing
- ·scumbling
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the expressive brushstrokes.
- →Creating too much contrast too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Not blending edges sufficiently, resulting in a harsh appearance.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·Stretched canvas
- ·Ivory black oil paint
- ·Titanium white oil paint
- ·Raw umber oil paint
- ·Palette knife
- ·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
- ·Palette
optional
- ·linseed oil
- ·painting medium
A toned canvas will help establish the mid-tone values.
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