plate no. 6370

Self Portrait - Time Flies

Frida Kahlo, 1929

oil, masoniteNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitportraitfigureclockairplanecurtainsnecklace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and creating a sense of depth through layering and subtle value changes. It also encourages attention to detail in rendering textures and patterns.

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, clock, and airplane on the masonite.
step 02
Establish the background colors, blending the sky and the curtains.
step 03
Block in the main skin tones of the face, neck, and hands, paying attention to the subtle variations in color.
step 04
Begin refining the facial features, focusing on the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, necklace, earrings, and clock.
step 06
Paint the airplane in the sky.
step 07
Refine the details and add highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · titanium white · burnt umber · cadmium red

secondary · ultramarine blue · ivory black · gold

Mix skin tones using yellow ochre, titanium white, burnt umber, and a touch of cadmium red. Vary the proportions to create highlights and shadows. Use ultramarine blue and ivory black to create the darker tones in the background and shadows.

techniques