plate no. 3265

Self-portrait in a Velvet Dress

Frida Kahlo, 1926

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitfigureportraitdressbackgroundhairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding composition and creating depth using value.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 02
Establish the background with a dark, muted color, suggesting the swirling patterns.
step 03
Block in the main colors of the face, neck, and hands, paying attention to the subtle variations in skin tone.
step 04
Paint the velvet dress using a base color and adding shadows and highlights to create depth and texture.
step 05
Add the details of the dress's trim, including the red and black patterns.
step 06
Refine the facial features, focusing on the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of harmony and balance.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · burnt umber · raw sienna · titanium white · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black

Mix burnt umber and raw sienna with titanium white to create various skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to darken the background. Mix cadmium red with burnt umber for the dress.

techniques

·portrait drawing
·color mixing
·glazing
·blending
·value study

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Overly harsh or muddy skin tones.
→Inaccurate rendering of the facial features.
→Lack of depth and dimension in the dress.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

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