How to Make a Silhouette Portrait

Who doesn’t love sweet silhouette portraits of their children?

Try this DIY silhouette picture project and make your own keepsake!

In fact, it is not even that hard. Let’s dive right in and see how it works.

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DIY Silhouette Pictures

Years ago I had a silhouette from my firstborn done. Now I have two more children and wanted to decorate our house with everyone’s picture.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find someone professional for the job and ended up doing it myself.

In this easy silhouette tutorial, I will show you how easy it is to make them yourself. Let’s have a look!

Silhouette Portraits Materials

In order to create these stunning silhouette portraits you will need the following supplies:

Printed silhouette photo of your child
Scissor
Pencil
Blue hand copy paper
Black craft paper
Glue Stick
Frame

DIY Silhouette Portrait Instructions

Time to find out how to do silhouettes with a couple of craft materials by yourself.

Simply follow the step-by-step instructions and you will have gorgeous shadow portrait silhouettes to decorate your home or use as gifts.

You might also enjoy making these adorable Pressed Flower Bookmark gifts, Heart String Art, or Heart Photo Collage.

Step 1: Make a Silhouette Photo

Take a side profile photo of your children or other subjects against a light-colored background such as a white wall.

Step 2: Size and Print Silhouette Photo

Adjust the size to the chosen frame size. Afterward, print it in black and white.

You do not have to print it on photo paper, regular computer paper will do for our silhouette pictures.

Step 3: Prepare to Copy Silhouette

Take black craft paper. Place the blue hand copy paper on top of it followed by your printed silhouette picture on top.

Step 4: Trace Silhouette Outlines

Then trace along the outline of your child’s silhouette with a pencil.

Make sure to follow the outer shape firmly with your pencil so it shows on your black paper.

Step 5: Cutting Silhouettes

Now the silhouette should show on the black craft paper.

After checking your simple silhouette drawing it is time to cut the silhouette thoroughly.

Be aware the exacter you work during this project the better the outcome will be.

Step 6: Frame Your Silhouette Portrait

At last, now it is time to glue your silhouette cutout on the white craft paper and place it in a nice frame.

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Tipps on Making Silhouettes

Here are a couple of simple tricks to make your silhouette DIY even easier:

Match the craft paper and frame to your interior design. Any color can be used!
Some people prefer just to use the face silhouette but this also works with the whole body.
Place long hair in a ponytail or bun. This will show off your children’s necklines even better. This is also a great tip if your child has curly hair since this can get difficult to trace and cut.
I recommend including not just the face silhouette in your portrait but ad at least the neck and parts of the shoulders. A slight curve at the end always gives the silhouette portrait a nice finish!

If you do not have any blue hand copy paper around check out this black paint method. It is just as easy.

You can find the full tutorial of this DIY easy silhouette artwork here.