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Jan 21, 2024
Artsy Crafty Library: Silhouettes
Vintage silhouette gallery wall kellyelko.com Silhouettes are appealing because
Vintage silhouette gallery wall kellyelko.com
Silhouettes are appealing because they are so graphic and bold, yet detailed. They leave room for imagination and can be used in all types of artwork.
Traditionally a silhouette is the image of a person, animal, object or scene represented as a solid shape of a single color, usually black, with its edges matching the outline of the subject. Silhouette images may be created in any medium. They were first pieces of cut paper placed on backing in a contrasting color and framed.
Today, silhouette art uses positive and negative shapes and design to create images with graphic impact and texture. You can draw with scissors or a blade, manually or with a machine. What you can create is almost endless. For example you could create a child's profile, patterns of nature, a favorite story, festive scenes, or bold or detailed graphic designs.
In the 1800s and 1900s artists working by eye could cut a bust silhouette by hand much like we see people drawing caricatures or portraits at festivals. Now with digital technology anyone can create a silhouette with a printed photograph of a family member in profile, a pet or really anything. Simply print a photograph the size you want your final shape to be. Hold that print on top of the paper, fabric or vinyl for your final shadow shape, and exactly cut the the outside contour of both materials at once.
If you wish to create a silhouette shape for mounting using software and a cutting machine, visit the library's Level 2 Tech Center for an orientation class on using the Cricut. Once you’ve completed the class, you can reserve the Cricut for your project.
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Kate loves sharing and learning from library customers and staff. While her background includes literacy program and art museum education administration, she has worked the past 4 years developing and presenting training for Library staff. Another favorite endeavor is pursuing journaling and art with customer and colleague creatives.