plate no. 4938

Self Portrait with a Monkey

Frida Kahlo, 1938

oil, masoniteNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitportraitself-portraitmonkeyleavesfoliagenecklace

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly in capturing likeness and skin tones, as well as layering techniques for creating depth in foliage.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the face, monkey, and surrounding foliage onto the masonite.
step 02
Establish the background color with a thin wash of blue and green.
step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the face, hair, and leaves, focusing on accurate color matching.
step 04
Begin layering skin tones, using subtle variations to create form and dimension.
step 05
Add details to the monkey, paying attention to the texture of the fur and the expression in the eyes.
step 06
Refine the details of the leaves, adding veins and highlights to create depth.
step 07
Paint the necklace, capturing its texture and form.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism and depth of the painting.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · ivory black · titanium white

secondary · viridian green · cadmium red · ultramarine blue

Achieve skin tones by mixing yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white, with small amounts of cadmium red for warmth. Mix greens for the foliage by combining viridian green with yellow ochre and titanium white for lighter shades.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·scumbling
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the face
→Overly saturated skin tones
→Flat, lifeless foliage
→Ignoring subtle color variations

materials

surface · Masonite panel

required

·Masonite panel
·Oil paints (yellow ochre, burnt sienna, ivory black, titanium white, viridian green, cadmium red, ultramarine blue)
·Palette
·Assorted brushes (round and flat)
·Linseed oil
·Odorless mineral spirits
·Rags
·Easel