KLIMT-STYLE PORTRAITS

Artist Connection: Gustav Klimt
Grades: 4–8
Time Required: 1-2 class periods
Project Type: Individual
Materials
- Watercolor paper
- A4 printer paper
- Soft pencils and/or black crayons
- Watercolor paint
- Acrylic paint (if desired)
- Thin markers in shades of red/orange and black
- Black cardstock for mounting
Avoid Identical Artwork
Each piece will be similar in style, but a unique portrait of each student.
Instructions
- Take a photo of each student
- Print photo portrait on an A4 sheet of paper
- Have students color the entire back of their printed portrait with a soft pencil or black crayon, then place it in the center of the sheet of watercolor paper (crayon/pencil side down)and trace the outlines of their main features with a pen. This will “draw” their portrait onto the watercolor paper.
- Have students do a watercolor wash in “Klimt yellow” on their watercolor paper, avoiding the fave area.
- They will then use watercolor and/or acrylic paint to finish their face in a realistic portrait style, then add lots of patterns in shades of red and black, using Klimt’s artwork as inspiration.
- Mount on black cardstock
Example of portrait transferring: https://fr.pinterest.com/pin/70437490792897