Before there was such a thing in the world as cameras, portraits were either painted, or for the more common folk, done using the silhouette method. At that time the subject generally stood in front of a light source and the shadow that was projected onto the wall was traced. This would still be a fun project for kids to do on their own, but you can get much quicker and more beautiful results using some modern technology: the camera and the computer (if you so desire). Using the computer, you can play around with a combination of pattern and color and easily (really!) come up with something like the image above.
Step 1:
Take photographs of your family from the side. Have each person stand against a blank wall, and take a few photos of each person with smiling and serious, chin down etc. The quality of the photograph isn't important, just that there will be contrast between the subject and the background.
Step 2: Without A Computer
If you are computer savy, even just a little bit, then it's the easiest to continue this project on the computer. If you would rather not work on the computer, make enlarged matte prints of your photos, say around 5"x7". There are two ways to do this byhand:
Method 1. Using good quality black (or white) acrylic or gouche paint, paint over the silhouette of your subject directly on to the photograph. After paint has dried, cut silhouette out of it's background, mount on white paper (or the color or pattern of your choice) and frame in a simple black frame. This could be a challenge depending on your painting skills and doesn't leave much room for adjusting the image.
Method 2. For the second method you will need heavy black (or white) artist's paper and tracing paper. Trace the silhouette by laying tracing paper over photo, and practice until you come up with a version that you like. Turn the traced image over and mount to artist's paper right side down (the tracing paper will then be on the back of the silhouette) using a glue stick or any adhesive. Carefully cut out your silhouette, and affix it to the background of your choice, whether it be patterned scrapbooking paper or something very simple and beautiful.
With scrapbooking paper and cut-by-hand silhouettes you can achieve something like these.
Step 2: Using A Computer
Using a program like Photoshop or any program that will allow you to draw in black on top of a photo, outline the photograph (I like to use the lasso tool, but you can also use the pen tool if you are familiar with it) and fill in your outline with black. If the portrait looks funny so just play sculptress and make some revisions to head shape, nose size, protruding lips etc. The person should look like themselves, but we want to make sure these portraits boost self esteem, not the opposite!
Here is how my portraits looked after creating the silhouette over the original photo.
Step 3: Using A Computer
Take the black silhouette you've created into a new document and start playing around with color, frames of all kinds, or grouping silhouettes together.There are so many options! Black and white or black and creme are the most classic and look stunning when hung together as a collection or quaint when hung individually. Though something with a bit more color may be more suited to your style.
Have fun experimenting, but the main thing is to get these creations out of your computer and up on a wall. Print your artwork on high quality matte photo paper and frame! Or even print them out on regular paper to enjoy immediately. Pat yourself on the back, you've now successfully created more sweet memories for your family to enjoy!
