I have always loved a classic piece of silhouette art – especially when it’s my kid! When I wanted to make a silhouette art wall in our home, I figured out how to make a silhouette myself. And you know what? It’s easy! Find out how to make your own DIY silhouette below!
Remember last week, when I showed you my DIY tassel garland?
You, do? Good.
And remember in that same post, I said that if all went according to plan, I would show you how I did my silhouettes?
You, do? Good.
Well, you are about to see how to make a silhouette. But, over the course of the week, all has not went according to plan with the silhouettes. You see, the other day, I was just sitting at my dining room table minding my own business, trying to be a good blogger, when out of nowhere one of those silhouettes fell right off the wall. And the glass shattered into a million little pieces.
No lie.
And what’s weirder? There was no apparent cause for this fall. Nope, the nail was still in the wall when I went over there and the hook was just fine on the back of the frame.
Strange.
Do you believe in ghosts?
I believe in ghosts.
I think my Pap was just bored and trying to entertain himself at my expense.
Just wait until the end of this post to call the asylum on me, you’ll want to see this first.
So, here is the story of my silhouette wall and and the easy way to make silhouette art.
How to Do a Silhouette
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First off, I only made one of those silhouettes on the wall.
Mine and Grunt Labor’s silhouettes were both made when we were kids. I smuggled mine away a long time ago and when Mama (Grunt Labor’s mom), found out I wanted a silhouette wall, she went and dug out his from long ago. Both of ours may be considered antiques by now.
Heaven, help. If anyone asks, I’m 25.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I digress. So, all I needed was a silhouette of the kid.
Materials Needed:
- Side Profile Photo of the Person You Are Making a Silhouette Of
- Printer
- Black Paper
- Scissors
- Contrasting Paper for Mounting the Silhouette On
- Mounting Squares
Steps
Step 1
The first thing you’ll need is a side profile photo of the person you are making a silhouette of. You’ll want to have the person turn to their side, stand in front of their side straight on and snap a picture.
In a rare moment of stillness, I snapped this side profile of my kiddo.
Step 2
After I had my image, I loaded it onto my computer and cropped it around just her face using Picmonkey.
I also turned it black and white, because all I have is a black and white printer. That’s not necessary of course.
After you’ve cropped your image, save it to your computer.
Step 3
Next, open up a blank word document. Insert the picture you just cropped and saved into the document and make it just about as big as the whole page, then print it out.
Step 4
Using scissors, cut out the profile from the image you printed out. Also, cut a kind of curve into the chest of the person’s profile.
No, she doesn’t have a golden dinosaur growing out of her head. When I was done with the silhouette, I just popped it on my craft room wall with one of those push pins from my sassy message board.
Step 5
Lay the cut-out silhouette on black cardstock, trace the outline onto it and then cut it out.
Of course, you could also use white paper or colored paper to do your silhouette. Black is just the traditional color.
Step 6
Mount your silhouette onto a contrasting piece of cardstock or paper.
I spray painted frames gold I already had and mounted the silhouettes to scrapbook paper to serve as a mat. I like the unexpected pattern it adds to the art.
And that my friends, is the easy way to make a silhouette.
Do you have any tips for how to do silhouette art?
Share them in the comments!
Need more easy DIY art ideas?
Monogram Photo Art – super easy wall art using your own photos!
Free Printable Find Her Jesus Keep Her Well Art – perfect for those little girls in your life!
DIY Wall Decor from a Gift Bag – there are some gorgeous gift bags out there these days!
And here’s my trick for hanging heavy frames, mirrors and more!
Want to come back for the instructions later? Just pin the image below!
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
Stalk Me Here:
Dee Williamson says
Yes! I was wondering how to do this! Thanks for sharing.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You are welcome, Dee! It is SO easy!
Cathy says
Well that IS cool!! And easy! I’m thinking even craft-challenged me could do this one. Thank you for sharing this Jenna..
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Cathy! Yep, anyone can do this! I’m sure you aren’t as craft-challenged as you think!!
Mellisa Carmody says
Love your silhouettes! You did a great job!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Mellisa! They were pretty simple, so it was hard to mess them up!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Wow! What a great way to do a silhouette!! Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Leslie! I’m all about easy!
Krista @ the happy housie says
They are perfect Jenna – I am a big fan of anything easy. I’ve always wanted to make these for our family room. Thanks for the tute!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Krista! They really are so easy! I love the look of them – so classic!
Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body says
Thank you for this tutorial! I have to add this to my to do list and you make it so easy to do. I just found you on The 36th Avenue link party. Glad I did!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
It really is easy, Tasha! Anyone can do it!
Stephanie @ Simply Swider says
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been wanting to do this for my two girls. And I love the scrapbook paper!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Stephanie! I just love that scrapbook paper too! A nice pop of color and pattern!
[email protected] says
Great tutorial!! I have been wanting to make one of my fur baby for the longest time and you finally convinced me to go for it – I didn’t realize it was so easy! I have a feeling the hardest part of this project is going to be getting an actual pic of her in the right pose…but that’s what doggie treats are for, right?!?
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
It is so easy, Julia!! Go for it! Yes, the hardest part really is the actual photo – it was tough for me too! Lucky for you, doggie treats may work. With me, not so much! haha!
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
Very nice! I recently made a silhouette for the first time. Now I’m addicted and want to make a bunch more! Love the scrapbook paper mat.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I know, Erin! They are SO addictive!!
Bisi says
Lovely, Jenna! Great ideas
Selene Galindo says
You are friggin genius! And I love that its easy and frugal!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Selene! I don’t know about a genius, maybe just lazy!
[email protected] says
I can’t cut a straight line with scissors, much less a full silhouette! Nicely done. Now that you have a Silhouette machine – even easier! Have you used the trace and print and cut functions yet??
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks! Jona, I have not used the trace, print, and cut functions yet! I’m scared!! I know I have got to figure it out, I just need to get past the holidays first though!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
Brilliant. Yes, definitely brilliant!
(And I love that you have a family wall of Silhouettes – – I think that’s something I might need to create in our house down the line when we have little Silhouettes to trace.) Thanks for the tips! And the chuckle, as always, Jenna.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Oh, Lauren, I will never compare to your brilliance! haha! You most definitely need a wall of silhouettes! Everyone needs a wall of silhouettes – they are classic!
Carrie This Home says
This is brilliant, Jenna! My mom has some silhouettes of me and my brother and I always thought it would be great to make some of my kiddos. Now I can! Pinning this now! Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You can, Carrie! And it is so simple!!
Jamie says
You’re totally genius! I love silhouettes and yes, I almost did think there was a dinosaur growing out of her head LOL
Hugs,
J.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Not hardly, Jamie! But, close! haha!
Kristi Dominguez says
Oh my goodness! You may have created a monster by showing me this! Gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing! LOVE!
[email protected] says
Love this!! I need to do this of my little one! Thank you for the tips and honestly the idea!
Pam says
I love this! I have always loved silhouettes. I have an old one of me that was done when I was about 7 or 8. We had some done of both of my kids on a couple of different occasions at Disney World. (Just a few days ago, my grown son was looking at the ones of him and his sister, and in a dead-on impression of my voice, he said, “Sure, while we’re here at one of the most fun places on earth, let’s make our kids sit still and get a silhouette done.” haha Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!
Pam says
P.S. I am featuring this at Thursday Favorite Thing tomorrow. Congrats!
Barbara Chapman says
You’ll have to make a new silhouette of your daughter now that it has been a few years, Jenna! Good post. 🙂 I had a silhouette made of myself, actually, last December at a Dickens Festival. I need to pull that out and frame it/hang it. Oh, and what about the picture falling off the wall? Any more ghost stories?? Anyway… featuring your post for it’s summer fun here at Share Your Style #212, thank you! <3
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Donna says
OLLLLLD fashioned way… have child sit near a wall with white paper on it so shadow is cast on paper. Have a lamp, such as a ‘gooseneck’ shining on the child so that the silhouette shadow is clear and can be traced around, then cut and transferred to black paper to mount in frame. Just tricky for real little ones who can’t sit still