ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES OF ART: EMPHASIS & PaTtErN The Art of GustavKlimt: CAC Wks. 3, 4, & 5



Artist of Inspiration:  Gustav Klimt

The Kiss, Gustav Klimt

Notice the juxtaposition of the abstract patterning and the realistic figures.


 

Pattern from tvd

THE PROJECT:

Looking at the work of Austrian Art Nouveau painter, Gustav Klimt for inspiration we will create elegant collaged scratchboard portraits. Line, shape, pattern, and the design principle known as Emphasis are the focus of this lesson.

 

Utilizing Klimt's trademark gold color and intricate pattern work, we will create inspired designs on Gold scratchboard.  Patterns applied to areas around a carefully cut out figure from a magazine becomes the signature Klimt look and the focal point in the design. This is accomplished by establishing contrast between the pattern work in the figure and in the background.

see more here

 

Procedures:

• From a magazine, cut a photographic human figure (no text obstructing) out very carefully. Place the figure down on the scratchboard and lightly trace with pencil. The head, hands, legs (any skin) of a human figure should then be cut out, removing and discarding any clothing or accessories. Glue these pieces to the gold scratchboard (Note: Self portrait digital images could be used.)
• Begin by scratching out an organic shape that suggests a garment. This garment dos not need to be realistic and may vary from the original silhouette.
• After you draw the garment you will have two areas to fill... the garment and the background/negative space around the garment.
• One of these areas must be densely and richly patterned using lines and textures. The other area will be covered less densely. This will emphasize one area more than the other.
• Keep the unscratched area of the scratchboard covered with a clean sheet of paper to prevent oils from your fingers transferring to the surface of the board.
• Begin to fill one of the two areas with patterns, lines, textures and shapes.
• Fill the other area.
• Check to see if the two areas are distinctly different. Does one stand out more than another?  If they are too similar, go back and add more details to the dense shape.

 




 

 

More Resources:

See the Klimt Exhibition in Venice from 2012: http://www.mostraklimt.it/

Gustav Klimt - Web Museum: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/klimt/

Expo-Klimt - Online Museum: http://www.expo-klimt.com/

(Archive) Gustav Klimt - Artchive - essay and links to images: http://www.artchive.com/artchive/K/klimt.html

Gustav Klimt Landscapes from Clark Art Institute:

http://www.clarkart.edu/exhibitions/klimt/klimt/