plate no. 8286

Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky (Between the Curtains)

Frida Kahlo, 1937

oil, masoniteNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitfigureportraitcurtainsdressshawlflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a balanced composition with a clear focal point.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and placement within the curtains.
step 02
Block in the background colors, establishing the light and shadow areas.
step 03
Begin painting the figure's skin tones, mixing colors to match the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the dress and shawl, paying attention to the folds and textures.
step 05
Add the details of the flowers, jewelry, and the letter.
step 06
Paint the curtains, focusing on the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth.
step 07
Refine the details and adjust the colors as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white to create the skin tones. Add small amounts of red or blue to adjust the warmth or coolness. Use raw umber to create shadows and depth.

techniques

·color mixing
·portraiture
·fabric rendering
·glazing
·scumbling

common pitfalls

→Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
→Using colors that are too saturated or unnatural.
→Failing to create a sense of depth and dimension.
→Ignoring the subtle variations in light and shadow.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas 16x20
·oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, titanium white, cadmium red, ultramarine blue, raw umber)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine
·rags