plate no. 4182

The Broken Column

Frida Kahlo, 1944

oil, masoniteNaïve Art (Primitivism)self-portraitself-portraitfigurelandscapeskytorsonails

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly rendering skin tones and facial expressions, as well as understanding symbolic representation in art. It also provides practice in creating texture and depth with visible brushstrokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's proportions and the placement of the landscape elements.
step 02
Block in the background sky and landscape with broad strokes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Lay in the base skin tones for the figure, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 04
Begin to define the features of the face, focusing on capturing the expression and likeness.
step 05
Paint the metal column and the supporting straps, carefully rendering their form and texture.
step 06
Add the nails, paying attention to their placement and the shadows they cast.
step 07
Refine the details of the landscape and sky, adding depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to the figure to enhance the sense of realism.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white · ultramarine blue

secondary · cadmium red · yellow ochre · payne's grey

Mix skin tones by blending burnt sienna, raw umber, titanium white, and a touch of cadmium red. Achieve the metallic look of the column by mixing payne's grey with white and small amounts of raw umber.

techniques