By Lieve Merlijn
How to create a Frida Kahlo inspired drawing
Frida Kahlo is known for her colourful and unique art. Her paintings are full of emotion and detail, making her a favorite among many art lovers.
Go to step 1
Create your own
In this blog post, Lieve Merlijn will guide you through a simple, step-by-step plan to create a drawing inspired by Frida Kahlo. Grab your pencils and colours, and let's get started on this fun and creative journey!
What you need
- Bruynzeel Design watercolour pencils
- Bruynzeel HB pencil
- Paper
Start by outlining the shape of the face.
Step 1
Start by outlining the shape of the face using a Bruynzeel HB graphite pencil. Begin with a simple round shape, which will serve as the basic structure of the face.
Lightly sketch the oval, ensuring it’s symmetrical and proportionate.
Step 2
Lightly sketch the oval, ensuring it’s symmetrical and proportionate. Next, draw a vertical line down the center of the oval to help you align the facial features later. Then, add a horizontal line halfway down the oval to mark the position of the eyes. You can also draw additional horizontal lines for the placement of the nose and mouth. These guidelines will make it easier to position the features accurately. Keep your lines light and easy to erase, as they will serve as a foundation for the more detailed drawing to come. This initial step sets the stage for a well-proportioned and balanced portrait.
After outlining the shape of the face, it’s time to draw the facial features.
Step 3
After outlining the shape of the face, it’s time to draw the facial features. Begin with the eyebrows, using the guidelines to place them correctly. Frida Kahlo’s eyebrows are quite distinctive, so try to capture their unique shape. Next, draw the eyes, positioning them evenly on either side of the vertical guideline. Add details to the eyes, such as the iris and pupils, to give them a lifelike appearance. Then, sketch the nose, using horizontal lines to ensure it’s the right size and placement. Finally, draw the mouth, paying attention to the natural curves and the space between the nose and the chin.
Now it’s time to erase the guidelines.
Step 4
Now it’s time to erase the guidelines. Take a soft eraser and gently remove the vertical and horizontal lines that you used to position the facial features. Be careful to leave the main outlines of the face and features intact. By erasing these guidelines, you will be left with a clean base for your portrait.
In this step, we will begin adding colour to our portrait.
Step 5
In this step, we will begin adding colour to our portrait using Bruynzeel Design colour pencils. Start by selecting a Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencil in colour 75, which is perfect for creating the skin tone of the face. Gently apply the pencil to the outlined areas of the face, using light, even strokes to build up the base colour. Take your time to ensure that the coverage is smooth and consistent, avoiding any harsh lines or uneven patches.
Next, take the Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencil in colour 10 to add the iconic eyebrows of Frida Kahlo.
Step 6
Next, take the Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencil in colour 10 to add the iconic eyebrows of Frida Kahlo, as well as other dark facial features like the eyelashes. Begin by carefully drawing the eyebrows, paying attention to their distinct shape and placement. Frida's eyebrows are famously bold and connected in the centre, so use firm, confident strokes to capture their unique look.
After the eyebrows, move on to the eyelashes. Use short, quick strokes to create the individual lashes, starting from the base of the eyelid and flicking outwards. This technique will give the eyelashes a natural, wispy appearance.
It's time to add depth and dimension to your portrait.
Step 5
With a Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencil in colour 44, it's time to add depth and dimension to your portrait by creating shadows in the darker areas of the face. Start by identifying where the natural shadows would fall, such as along the neck and the sides of the face.
Begin shading the neck area, using smooth, even strokes to build up the shadow gradually. Pay attention to the contours of the neck and how the shadows wrap around it.
Next, move to the sides of the face. Add shadows along the jawline, under the cheekbones, and around the temples. These areas naturally catch less light and will help define the structure of the face. Use the side of the pencil for broader strokes and the tip for more precise shading in tighter areas.
Now it's time to add the beautiful flowers.
Step 8
Now it's time to add the beautiful flowers to Frida Kahlo's hair ornaments. You can choose any colours you prefer for the flowers, but for this step, I’ll use a red and blue colour to create the first flowers.
Start by selecting your Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencils in red and blue. Begin with the red pencil and lightly sketch the outline of the first flower in Frida's hair. Focus on creating loose, organic shapes to represent the petals, allowing them to overlap slightly to give the impression of a natural, full bloom. Don’t worry about making the shapes perfect; the charm of these flowers lies in their spontaneity and flow.
Next, switch to the blue pencil and draw another flower.
Step 9
Next, switch to the blue pencil and draw another flower adjacent to the red one. Use the same loose, flowing strokes to create petals that complement the red flower. Vary the size and shape of the petals to add visual interest and realism to the floral arrangement. By using a variety of colours and keeping your strokes loose and fluid, you'll be able to replicate the vibrant and lively feel of Frida's floral hair ornaments.
Next, let's bring even more vibrancy and depth to your drawing.
Step 10
Next, let's bring even more vibrancy and depth to your drawing by adding additional flowers and details in orange and purple. These new elements will help to enhance the overall composition and create a more dynamic and layered look.
After drawing the flowers and adding green leaves for extra detail.
Step 11
After drawing the flowers and adding green leaves for extra detail, it's time to focus on colouring the hair of Frida Kahlo and the shirt she is wearing. Frida Kahlo is known for her dark, rich hair, so we’ll use dark tones to capture this iconic feature.For the shirt, you have the creative freedom to choose any colour you like. However, in this example, we’ll use a vibrant red to complement the other colours in the portrait. Select a Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencil in a rich red hue.Andcolour the lips and earrings in this colour.
Now we are going to use a brush to blend and soften the pencil strokes.
Step 12
Now we are going to use a brush to blend and soften the pencil strokes, enhancing the watercolour effect of our Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencils. This step will bring a beautiful, painterly quality to your drawing.
Step 13
- Start with the Flowers: Use a damp brush to blend the flower colours, creating a soft, watercolour effect.
- Move to the Hair: Blend the hair with gentle, controlled strokes, following the natural direction of the strands.
- Blend the Face: Use fine strokes for the mouth.
- Finish with the Shirt: Use broader strokes to blend the colours of the shirt.
Adjust the amount of water as needed. Let your drawing dry completely, then add any final details with the pencils.
Now we are going to use a brush to blend and soften the pencil strokes.
Step 14
The last step is adding the final changes to your artwork. Use your Bruynzeel Design Watercolour pencils to add detailed lines around the flowers, enhancing their shapes and textures. Check for any areas that need more definition or colour, and make those final adjustments. After this your Frida Kahlo-inspired artwork is complete. Congratulations! Enjoy your finished piece!
This artwork was created by @lievemerlijn
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