I’ve always been a fan of those old-fashioned silhouette wall prints. The actual antique ones seem so full of mystery in a way- as you think you can almost see the subject’s personality and looks, but there is still so much left to the imagination.
For several months I’ve been thinking about how cute it would be to capture Marian’s funny and sweet little chubby profile in this way.
I created little profile portraits of Jordan and I for a scrapbook several years back, using black paper and scissors. They turned out good, but it was very hard and time consuming. I knew this time I wanted to find a different method.
First, I had Jordan hold Marian up against the light of a window and I snapped a profile shot. When I got this image on my computer, I cropped it down to just what I needed, converted it to black & white, and upped the ‘contrast’ and ‘shadows’ levels until I had a fairly stark profile image. (below) Then I printed off a copy.
Next I used my handy-dandy light-box (a mini desktop light table for tracing) and used the printed photo to trace a new outline onto some thick watercolor paper. I first used pencil, then carefully went over that with a tiny felt-tipped artists marker. I also embellished a bit by adding Marian’s trademark curls and funny little cowlicks. (which weren’t in the picture I took, but I knew them well enough to draw them in!:)
Next I took some flat black acrylic paint and with a small round brush, went all around the outline again, this time also painting an inside border of about 1/4″. After that the hard part was done, and I filled in the middle of the profile with a small flat paintbrush to make it faster. After a couple of coats it was good to go.
I also decided to add a decorative wreath and her name.
I love the way it looks framed on the wall! I feel it really captured her sweet little baby face. Now I want to do more – formal 19th century style ones for Jordan and I, and definitely one like this for our new baby when he/she is about the same age next year.
