Making Fascinating Pictures From Silhouettes!…

If you need to brighten up your walls, this may be the perfect answer. These are basically not very expensive to construct, as you do not require much to make them. However, you will find, that the finished effect will create interest and is pretty attractive. You can also make them as gifts.

Of course, first you have to make the decision on the size of frame you require, as to where you want to hang it, and the area of the space. At the present time you can buy frames that will hold up to five pictures, but you may only want a double or a single frame for your first attempt.

You will require a very clear base to work from, this being a really clear outline from a photograph. So you will need your subject person or animal to face sideways for this to get a good shot.

This sounds pretty good so far, so what tools will I need? Some white paper with a texture to it and some soft coloured paper, say burgundy, for instance. Also, a fine crayon, the same shade as your coloured paper, masking tape, pencil, spray glue, tracing paper, frame, photos and a craft knife.

Where do I begin? Establish which photo, or photos, you are going to use, then place the chosen one on something flat. Now cover this with the tracing paper and use the masking tape to tape it down. Sharpen your pencil and carefully trace round your silhouette on the photo.

To make this appear like a silhouette in a cameo, for example, finish, say a persons head and neckline, with a curve shape. This done, you can remove the masking tape and free the tracing paper. Remember, you can always change the size of your silhouette to fit into your desired frame.

Now tape the tracing on to your black paper, with your pencil marks flat to the black paper. You now need to draw strongly over your pencil lines to transfer them to the black paper. Bear in mind, I chose black, but you can choose your own colour.

Take your small scissors, or you could use a craft knife and cut round your silhouette. Do not rush, as this is a tricky operation and it may be quite hard to keep to the outlines.

Take out your textured paper next. You will need enough to cover the frame, with 1cm spare on all sides of it. Your silhouette then will need to be sprayed with glue and put firmly in place in the centre of your paper.

At this point you can add an outside border with a coloured pen or pencil, but this is optional. If you cut some very fine pieces of the coloured paper, you could add some extra details like eyelashes or eyebrows for example.

This is now ready to be framed and admired. Friends and family will love it!