\"\"

The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

Do It Yourself! Make Your Own Silhouettes

·

This post may contain affiliate links which may give us a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Have you noticed that silhouettes are all the rage these days? I see them in magazines, on blogs, books, and the TV. I’ve priced them out a few times, only to be disappointed by how costly they can be.

In kindergarten, I vaguely remember my teacher shining a light at us while we stood by a wall with a big piece of white paper taped on it. It was so hard trying not to wiggle as she traced our shadow which we turned into a silhouette. Thank goodness things have gotten a little more sophisticated so that as we can replicate this process without the need for a large light, and trying to make a 4 year old sit still for a whole 3 minutes. Technology rocks.

Now, there is no need to spend $$$ to buy silhouettes. You can make your own!

Cheap.
Easy.
Fun.
Stylish.


First, grab your subjects and have them stand in front of a contrasting wall. In my case, I used a white wall, but a dark color would work just as well. Get right down on their level, as not to distort their facial features.


Take a few photos, sometimes it’s nice to have more than one to choose from.

Using your own photo editing software, size the photo to fit your chosen frame. I used two 8X10’s.


Load white cardstock into your printer, and then print away!


Next, with a steady hand, cut out your subject’s profile, being careful around facial features.


Then, my favorite part begins! Turn your silhouette photo side down onto a paper towel. Using a foam brush, apply an even layer of black tempera paint. (Any color would look great, but black is classic.)


Transfer onto a clean paper towel and allow to dry.


When it’s completely dry, cover the back of the painted silhouette with acid free adhesive. Affix onto another piece of cardstock. Allow to dry.


Then, frame ‘er up!


Can you imagine a whole wall of these?! I think I’ll need a bit more paint for that.


Wasn’t that easy? It only takes about an hour (with drying time) and costs less than a few sheets of paper and a little paint. How’s that for a good deal?!

About Tracie Nall

Tracie lives in Arizona with her husband, teen daughter, and more books than her shelves will hold. She spends her days writing and editing. Many of her words end up on her blog, From Tracie. Find Tracie on Twitter @FromTracie and on Instagram where she takes pictures of things that are yellow.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. visit my web page says

    I have already been browsing on-line over three hrs as of late, nevertheless I never found just about any useful report similar to you. It can be really really worth ample for me personally. Individually, if most website masters along with people produced excellent information just like you have, online will probably be a great deal more handy than ever before.

  3. Janet says

    I love this idea and it was almost what I’m looking for.
    Any hints on how I can transfer this to felt instead of card stock???
    I would appreciate any help I can get!
    Thank you so much!!!

  4. http://phantomlinkcloakerreviews.com/affiliate-programs-do-affiliate-marketing-programs-really-work says

    Hey! I realize this is sort of off-topic but I needed to ask.
    Does building a well-established blog such as yours take a large amount of work?
    I am completely new to blogging but I do write
    in my journal daily. I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and feelings online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!

  5. Online Home Careers Scams says

    Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely fantastic. I actually like what you have got here, really like what you’re stating
    and the way during which you assert it. You make it
    entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it wise.
    I can’t wait to read far more from you. That is really a wonderful website.

  6. make money from home says

    Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it
    from somewhere? A design like yours with a few
    simple tweeks would really make my blog shine.

    Please let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot

  7. dududukkkkkkk says

    Make Your Own Silhouettes | Art Projects | Homemade Mother's Day Gift Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  8. Yvonne says

    Thank you so much for this. I have always loved these. I grew up seeing them in my Grandparents home. Now having children of my own I always wanted to know how to do them with out spending alot of money. Thank you

  9. Peggy says

    Lovely! I added a link to my Free Silhouette Clip Art article at Squidoo. Thank you for the great instructions.

  10. Astrid says

    Just an input, other way to make it is, after you print the picture, paste it with a black paper then you cut it. You will automatically have a sillhoutte on a black paper. So you dont need to paint the picture. Yuo might also try with other color paper to make a liitle different thatn a usual black sillhoutte.

  14. Doreen says

    this has always been one of my favorite crafting projects! i did it when i was little and now im so glad i get the chance to make them with my kids!