plate no. 8755

Self Portrait with Curly Hair

Frida Kahlo, 1935

oil, tinNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitportraitfigurehairjewelryclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, color mixing for skin tones, and capturing likeness through careful observation. It also provides practice in rendering textures like hair and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, neck, and shoulders.
step 02
Block in the background with a thin layer of light blue-gray.
step 03
Establish the main skin tones with a base layer of color.
step 04
Begin building up the darker values in the hair, eyebrows, and shadows on the face.
step 05
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Add the details of the clothing and jewelry.
step 07
Adjust the values and colors throughout the painting to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the portrait.

color palette

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

secondary · cadmium red · ultramarine blue · raw umber

Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and titanium white. Use ultramarine blue and raw umber to create the dark tones in the hair. Add small amounts of cadmium red to the cheeks and lips for warmth.

techniques