plate no. 6827

Portrait of Doña Rosita Morillo

Frida Kahlo, 1944

oil, masoniteNaïve Art (Primitivism)portraitportraitfigurefoliageflowersknittingchair

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing to achieve realistic skin tones, and rendering complex botanical backgrounds. It also provides practice in depicting fabric textures and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of the background elements.
step 02
Block in the main areas of color: skin tones, clothing, background foliage, and knitting.
step 03
Begin layering and blending colors to create depth and form in the face and hands.
step 04
Add details to the background, paying attention to the shapes and colors of the leaves and flowers.
step 05
Refine the details of the clothing and knitting, adding texture and highlights.
step 06
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to create a cohesive and visually appealing image.
step 07
Add final details such as the knitting needles and the highlights in the hair.
step 08
Varnish the painting once it is completely dry.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · cadmium red · ivory black

secondary · sap green · alizarin crimson · titanium white

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and a touch of cadmium red, adjusting with white and black for highlights and shadows. Mix greens by combining sap green with yellow ochre and a touch of black for darker shades.

techniques