plate no. 4749

Self Portrait with Necklace of Thorns

Frida Kahlo, 1940

oil, canvasNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitportraitfoliagemonkeycatnecklacehummingbird

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, botanical illustration, and creating depth through layering. It also provides practice in rendering textures and subtle color variations.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 30 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figure, animals, and foliage.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background leaves, using a range of greens and yellows.
step 03
Establish the skin tones of the figure, paying attention to the subtle variations in light and shadow.
step 04
Paint the details of the face, including the eyes, eyebrows, and lips, using fine brushes.
step 05
Render the monkey and cat, focusing on their fur texture and facial features.
step 06
Create the necklace of thorns, using a thin brush to depict the intricate details and shadows.
step 07
Add the hummingbird and butterflies, paying attention to their delicate wings and colors.
step 08
Refine the details and adjust the values to create a cohesive and balanced composition.

color palette

primary · yellow green · olive green · flesh tones · black

secondary · red · brown · purple · white

Mix various greens by combining yellows, blues, and browns. Achieve skin tones by blending reds, yellows, browns, and white. Use glazes of red and brown to create shadows and depth.

techniques

·portraiture
·layering
·glazing
·fine detail brushwork
·color blending

common pitfalls

→Oversimplifying the skin tones.
→Losing the form of the foliage in the background.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the figure.
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the shadows.
→Getting lost in the details too early.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas
·oil paints (yellow green, olive green, flesh tones, black, red, brown, purple, white)
·assorted brushes (round and flat, small and medium)
·palette
·linseed oil
·turpentine

optional