Oil Painting on Gold Leaf: A Fusion of Metallic Reflection with Opaque and Glazed oil Paint

Gustav Klimt​​ created his gold leaf paintings primarily during his "Golden Phase," which spanned from the late 1890s to the early 1910s. This period is characterized by his extensive use of gold leaf, inspired by Byzantine mosaics and the Art Nouveau movement.

Oil painting on gold leaf is a technique that marries the luminous quality of gold with the rich texture of oil paints. The process begins by applying thin sheets of gold leaf to a prepared surface, using an adhesive called ‘size’ to ensure it adheres smoothly. Once the gold is set, artists paint over it with oil paints, often using glazed layers to allow the gold to shimmer through. This method creates a striking visual effect, enhancing the depth and brilliance of the artwork. Historically used in religious iconography and fine art.

 Gustav Klimt. Noticed the scale of this piece compared to the stairs on the left, it's quite large

Stephanie Rew​​ https://www.stephanierew.co.uk/

Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room; James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903); 1876–77; oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, and wood.

Chinese Women and Children in a Palace Garden - screen, formerly attributed to Kano Eitoku

While I do not teach gold leaf techniques in my studio at the Phinney Center in Seattle, if you are interested in experimenting with gold leaf techniques, there are many informative instructional videos on YouTube.