Thursday, September 30, 2010

Frida Kahlo ~ Self Portrait Unit




"Frida Kahlo de Rivera (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954; born Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderón) was a Mexican painter, born in Coyoacán. Perhaps best known for her self-portraits, Kahlo's work is remembered for its 'pain and passion', and its intense, vibrant colors. Her work has been celebrated in Mexico as emblematic of national and indigenous tradition, and by feminists for its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.

Mexican culture and Amerindian cultural tradition figure prominently in her work, which has sometimes been characterized as Naïve art or folk art. Her work has also been described as 'surrealist', and in 1938 one surrealist described Kahlo herself as a ribbon around a bomb'.

Kahlo had a stormy but passionate marriage with the prominent Mexican artist Diego Rivera. She suffered lifelong health problems, many of which stemmed from a traffic accident in her teenage years. These issues are reflected in her works, more than half of which are self-portraits of one sort or another. Kahlo suggested, 'I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.'"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frida_Kahlo

Important Components of the Self-Portrait


Websites about Frida Kahlo:

http://www.fridakahlo.com/

Background
Expression
Clothing
Symbolism
Color
Direction of the eyes: Looking at the viewer (confrontational) or off into the distance.


Paint Instructions:

Paint background first THEN draw portrait on canvas.

Demo on flesh tones next week.

Pay attention to, and experiment with, your brushstrokes.



Care Instructions:

We are using ACRYLIC PAINTS!

DO NOT use oil paints!

Always wear apron and put newsprint or scrap paper under your work area.

Wash brushes thoroughly and put brush side up in the brush cup next to sink.

Only squeeze out enough paint for your work for the day: Don't waste!

If you have too much at the end of class, either cover it in plastic for use the next day OR scrape it out with a paper towel and WASH the palette.

Make sure you wash the palettes.

Clean up after yourself!


Plan your portrait:

1) Expression
2) Composition (where do you want to be placed in the portrait and how much of you will be visible)
3) Color
4) Background
5) Symbols
6) Direction of your eyes

Plan your portrait in your sketchbook. Address every component listed above.

Sketch out your portrait (or potential ideas).



IMPORTANT: If you missed this lesson (September 29th, 2010) then you MUST view the Smart Board lesson on Ms. Burnell's computer in your next art class.