Lesson Plan: How To Create a Digital Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait (with how-to video!)

Artful Artsy Amy
I tried to do a serious face like Frida. .  . But, I just looked super scary!  Even Frida’s fierceness is rare!

I heart Frida Kahlo. So do my 2nd graders. 

Currently, the 2nd graders are working on Frida Kahlo inspired self portraits in Studio Art. I like to mirror what they do in Studio Art in Digital Art. Annnd, honestly? I couldn’t resist the opportunity to digitize a Frida Kahlo artwork. 
Wish you could see the grinnin’ faces too. Adorable!
Before we started either project we discussed a bit of Frida’s history, looked at several self-portraits, and noticed that most portraits have 1), jungle leaves in the background, 2), flowers or something in the hair, 3), funky jewelry, and 4), a pet. We also discussed how flowers aren’t a “girly” entity. We talked about how men in many other places (like Hawaii and Japan) put flowers in their hair when it is time to party. I didn’t require the boys put flowers in the hair, but most did. Yay!
There are click-by-click written directions below. . . But, I’ve also made a fun lil screencast of the process I used to teach my students how to make these. Enjoy!
Click-by-Click Directions on How To Create a Digital Frida Kahlo Self-Portrait

  1. go to pixlr.com
  2. choose “launch wep app” (where the butterfly is)
  3. Click on “open image from computer”
  4. Go to wherever the library of images is located
  5. Pick out a jungle you like and click “ok”
  6. The jungle should appear
  7. Go to “layer” and choose “open image as layer”
  8. Go to wherever the library of images is located
  9. Find your face and click “ok” or “open’
  10. Your face should appear
  11. Click on the magic wand tool
  12. Change the number at top to 50
  13. Click on the background
  14. go to edit and choose cut
  15. repeat until most of your background is gone
  16. click on the move tool in your toolbox and move your portrait so it looks good
  17. Go to “layer” and choose “open image as layer”
  18. Go to wherever the library of images is located and find the extras
  19. Add extras to your portrait
  20. Go to file and choose save
  21. put in “your name F”
  22. Save to your lunch number drive

You know, when your cat likes Frida style too. . .

This artist told me that boys only wear one earring. . . .I guess you compensate by making it extra large!

There’s always that ONE cat, amma right?
Advertisement