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.
That is so adorable! Marian’s little face is so cute :-). I’ve always loved the old historic silhouettes as well. I might do one of Gavin now. Thanks for posting this! By the way, your new blog looks great. We really like it!
-Alice Wright
http://www.thewrightfamilyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.whatsoever-lovely.blogspot.com
Thank you Alice! I think one of Gavin would be adorable – those baby faces! too sweet.
Atlanta,
You did such a lovely job! Just the other evening I was reading a book taking place in colonial Williamsburg and one the characters had hired an artist to make silhouettes of each guest at a dinner party. I had thought it was a neat idea then, but now I really would like to make one. : ) Maybe when my little girl is a bit older.
-Sarah
Artists back then must have had a much harder job! Just tracing from a printed picture sure made it easy for me – I imagine doing it from a live person would be really hard!
Oh, Atlanta! It looks so wonderfully fun, this new “blog”! I can’t wait to get more updates! I love watching your little family grow, and your progress on your home! You two seem like really neat Christians, and I always feel as if I know you even though I don’t!
Can’t wait to see the little one! Praying for a safe pregnancy and birth for you :)
Love,
Ruth
So glad to welcome you here, Ruth! Thanks for coming over from Story of a Seamstress! :) Thank you so much for the prayers! They are much appreciated.
Marian is such a darling! I love this idea so much – thanks for sharing how to recreate this! Something to tuck away for the (hopefully) not to distant future:) I’m enjoying this new joint blog so much. It’s so much fun reading about your plans for your homestead!
thank you, Natasha!!
Soo cute. I love it.
I love this, too. I thought you had cut it out with paper the way you did yours and Jordan’s. It looks just like it. You should post pictures of the other ones, too. I’ll bet everyone would be curious. btw, Grammie needs a copy of this.
This is so cuuute! No surprise though, since Marian is so sweet and you are so talented, when we put these together, it must be fabulous! :)
Atlanta, I’m so happy to have found you again! So happy that I checked your old site again today. I wouldn’t want to for a minute give up a fully-functioning bathroom, my microwave, etc., but I surely do enjoy following you and your adventures. Best wishes for your homestead life.
Welcome, Constance!! So glad to have you here!
Oh my gosh!! How adorable!! Amazing job!
Atlanta, I really like this! I had almost forgotten about the one of myself when I was about 5. I wonder where it is; I’ll have to look through my mom’s scrapbooks next time I visit. Would make a really cute gift! Thanks for sharing. Love seeing you all via your blog.