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Lesson Three: Surrealist Self-Portraits

Lesson Three: Surrealist Self-Portraits

 

Hello everyone, it is time for our third and final project of the year inspired by Frida Kahlo.  For this project the students will be creating a surrealist self-portrait. So, let’s start by talking a little bit about surrealism.  What is surrealism? Watch this short video to find out. 

 

https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/explore/what-is/surrealism

 

Is Frida Kahlo a surrealist? Yes, many of her paintings weave together her inner thoughts, feelings, and dreams with the world around her.  Today we are going to explore 2 such paintings.  

 

The first painting we are going to look at is called Roots.  It was painted by Frida in 1943. Ask the students what they see here? Does the painting look real or dream like?  Why? 

 Roots, 1943 by Frida Kahlo

Roots, 1943 by Frida Kahlo

 

In this painting Frida was expressing her belief that all life flows together in unison.  You can see how Frida has painted a window or hole in herself where the plants and the land can flow through her.  She is showing that the land, life, and herself all are inseparable and intertwined with each other.  

 

The second painting we are going to look at is called The Wounded Deer.  Frida painted this painting in 1946.  Again, ask the students what they see in this painting?  What do they think Frida was feeling when she painted this and why?  What details do they notice? 

 

The Wounded Deer, 1946 by Frida KahloThe Wounded Deer, 1946 by Frida Kahlo

 

In this painting Frida has painted herself as deer, but it is not a happy painting.  You can see the deer has been shot with many arrows and is hurt.  Frida was trying to express the pain she feels in her own body from her past illnesses and injuries.  

 

Now we are going to paint a picture like Frida.  Everyone needs to think about an animal and place that represents them.  We are going to paint a background on a canvas then draw, color, and cutout a picture of ourselves combined with an animal on a separate piece of paper and then glue it onto our canvas.  

 

Let’s make some art!

 

 

 

The Project


 

Supplies: 

·      1 9x12 canvas*

·      Paint brush*

·      Paint (8 colors)*

·      Paper plate (use as palate) *

·      1 piece of cardstock*

·      Pencil

·      Crayons, colored pencils, or markers

·      Scissors

·      glue

 

*These supplies were provided in the supply box given to your teacher.  

 

This project should be suitable for all grade levels. However, if you and your teacher feel like you need to adjust any portion of the lesson to fit your class better, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions on how to adjust the lesson plan, please feel free to reach out for help.   

 

Step 1: Have your teacher distribute supplies

 

 I suggest having them do this while you are discussing the Frida paintings above with the class.  At this time Parents are still not allowed in the classroom.  This may change.  If volunteers are allowed back in the classrooms, I suggest arriving early to prepare and hand out supplies to the students.  Each student should receive a canvas, a paint brush, a paper plate to use as a palette, and a piece of cardstock.  When distributing the paint remember a little goes a long way.  Students should also have glue, a pencil, scissors, crayons, colored pencils, or markers.


 

Step 2: Painting a background on the canvas

 

The first thing we are going to do is paint a background on our canvas. The background should be based on a place the student loves, for example: the beach, the park, a forest, a field of flowers, etc. Before starting to paint have the students take a minute to plan their background. Remind them to keep it simple.  Spend the next 15-20 minutes having the students paint their canvas.  While they are painting you can ask if any students want to share what they chose for their background.  When students are finished have them set aside their canvases to dry. You can also choose to clean up the paints at this time.  



 

Step 3: Drawing your animal self-portrait

 

For this next step the students will need their piece of cardstock, a pencil, crayons, colored pencils, and/or markers.  Start by telling the class to think about their favorite animal or an animal they feel represents them.  Once they have chosen an animal have them draw the animal in pencil on their paper replacing the animals head with their own, like Frida did in The Wounded Deer.  The students can choose which parts of the animals head they would like to incorporate into their own drawing, for example: Frida painted the ears and antlers of the deer onto her own head.  Next have the students color in their drawings. Remind everyone that they will be cutting out their drawings to glue onto the canvas.  



 

Step 4: Cutting and gluing 

 

The fourth and final step is to have the students cut out and glue their amazing animal self-portraits to their canvases, for TK and K you may want to have the students bubble cut around their drawings.  That’s it, the project is complete.  Congratulate everyone on doing a fantastic job.  If time allows ask if any student would like to share their final piece.  





We hope Everyone had an amazing time creating art Inspired by Frida Kahlo this year!





















 

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