Frida Kahlo SELF-PORTRAITS

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO How many of you know the term “selfie”? What is “selfie” short for? A “selfie” is short for a self-portrait – which is a drawing or painting of oneself Can you imagine trying to paint a picture of yourself? Today we are going to talk about an artist who was known for her self-portraits that were paintings – not photographs

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Frida Kahlo was a female, Mexican painter born in Coyoacán, Mexico ( ) Frida was most known for her self-portraits that included a unibrow and often dark upper hair lip (mustache)-this style was known as Realism She survived a car accident in her teens and she often painted very sad and angry self-portraits to express her feelings about the injuries she sustained She had a difficult marriage to another Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera which influenced her artwork as well Diego actually welled up in tears of pride when Picasso admired the eyes of a painting of Frida’s Frida was also well known for having monkeys around her and even made self-portraits with them She also did not like to comply with normal societal roles, she even would dress as a boy

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Take a look at this self-portrait What do you see? She doesn’t look happy, she has very dark eyebrows, she has surrounded herself by monkeys, and she has a red bird of paradise flower behind her By looking at this self-portrait, Frida is allowing us a glimpse into her soul She appears sad, but the beauty of the flower gives hope as well and the monkeys almost seem to be comforting her Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait with Monkeys, Bird of Paradise Flower, 1943

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO This self-portrait is a little different Kahlo is wearing a Mexican Tehuanna costume, with a "huipil," or starched headdress, made of pleated lace, which celebrates her cultural heritage But that’s probably not what you are staring at… It is also referred to as “Diego [Rivera] on My Mind” why do you think it might be referred to as that title instead? Frida Kahlo, "Self-Portrait as a Tehuana," 1943.

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Now it’s our turn, we are going to create our own self- portraits We are going to focus on the following while drawing our faces: Realism – getting your eye shape as close to your own shape, eye color, hair color, hair style, etc.– then EMPHASIZE one part of picture with color like Kahlo included that red flower We are going to include any accessories that we might be known for – a certain hair bow, a hat we like to wear, special earrings… In working on our background, we are going to include items that are important to us like a sports team, hobby, interest, talent, something we like or collect – anything that helps to tell the viewer more about us!

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Before we start, we are going to complete the following sentence – you can write this on a scrap piece of paper first or think of it while you are sketching I want to be known for ____________________. How to answer that question is up to you…but think about your talents, your qualities as a student, your friendships, your family, and how you might want people to remember you in years to come.

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Okay let’s get started! (I’m going to demonstrate over here as we go through each step, so keep an eye on what I’m doing!) First you can lightly sketch your eye shape - remember to leave one eye space in between your two real eyes for correct PROPORTIONS of the face Notice how the eyes are centered in the paper about a ½ inch from the top of the line

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Okay let’s get started! (I’m going to demonstrate over here as we go through each step, so keep an eye on what I’m doing!) Use the mirrors to try your best to draw your features accurately, but focus on creating a piece that expresses who you are with the other clues you provide the viewer Now work on brows, glasses, and features on the upper half of the paper – you will notice that you only have half of the paper to use – this is because “Eyes are the window to the soul.” Remember to include features that people will know you for and a background that includes your interests

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Once you have completed your light sketch – color in skin color, eyes, etc. with crayon or color pencils. To create EMPHASIS- use a marker to color in the area of artwork you really want people to see first. Once you finish your face, make sure to fill in the background as well, use the whole paper and remember to create a story of you with the items you include in your background Lastly, write your “I want to be known for…” statement at the bottom of the page, use your glue stick and glue it on to a colored paper of your choice, and sign your name on the back of paper.

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Let’s review what we learned today… A portrait you draw of yourself is called a self- portrait Proportion – a principle of art that describes the size, location or amount of one element to another (or to the whole) in a work of art Emphasis – to have a special area in a picture or painting brightly colored to draw your attention Frida Kahlo is considered an artist of Realism from Mexico There is one “eye space” between each of your eyes on your face

SELF-PORTRAITS FRIDA KAHLO Discussion questions Was it hard for you to think of an item to include in your background to identify you? Do you think your self-portrait looks like you? Did you like creating a self portrait? What are some of the things you wrote down that you want to be known for? Let’s guess whose self-portrait I am showing…