The idea of a shadow picture is to layer multiple sheets of paper together in various numbers to inhibit the sun's light to shine through. The varying thicknesses create lighter and darker areas that create a picture. Making one can be difficult or can be easy, largely depending on the type of picture chosen. (I.E. A picture with frequent, sharp contrasts versus a picture that has larger, less contrasting shades. It generally is hard to determine what pictures may be difficult or easy until you begin a project.)
These generally take me between 3-5 hours. All shown pictures took me about 3 hours, and the Blue Oyster Cult picture took me closer to 5 hours. It is definitely worth the time.
(Props to my friend for making them before me and giving me the idea,)
These generally take me between 3-5 hours. All shown pictures took me about 3 hours, and the Blue Oyster Cult picture took me closer to 5 hours. It is definitely worth the time.
(Props to my friend for making them before me and giving me the idea,)
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Get Supplies!
The supplies you need are very basic...
::6+ sheets of printer/blank paper
Each sheet can be used as:
1: The sheet used to trace the initial picture to determine shades. This will also be cut up.
2. Your initial picture. I copied photos into Word and enlarged to taste.
3. "White" layer sheet. This sheet will be on top of all pages. I generally type lyrics onto this sheet. This sheet is not cut.
4. "Light Grey" Layer sheet. This sheet (alone with "White" sheet) creates the light grey areas. This will be cut to include L. Grey, D. Grey, and Black.
5. "Dark Grey" Layer sheet. This sheet layered on both the White and L Grey creates D Grey. This area will also become a layer for Black.
6. "Black" layer sheet. This layer consists of 4 sheet thicknesses.
::X-Acto Knife
::Rubber Cement (I avoid glue/modge podge because these can warp paper easily.)
::Pencil
::Lightbox (if you do not have a lightbox, an adequate "flat" light source will work such as a window so you can write on the paper)
::4+ Bobby Pins, tape, or other means of security.
::Cutting Board
::Printer (optional, if you choose to find a picture on the internet)
::6+ sheets of printer/blank paper
Each sheet can be used as:
1: The sheet used to trace the initial picture to determine shades. This will also be cut up.
2. Your initial picture. I copied photos into Word and enlarged to taste.
3. "White" layer sheet. This sheet will be on top of all pages. I generally type lyrics onto this sheet. This sheet is not cut.
4. "Light Grey" Layer sheet. This sheet (alone with "White" sheet) creates the light grey areas. This will be cut to include L. Grey, D. Grey, and Black.
5. "Dark Grey" Layer sheet. This sheet layered on both the White and L Grey creates D Grey. This area will also become a layer for Black.
6. "Black" layer sheet. This layer consists of 4 sheet thicknesses.
::X-Acto Knife
::Rubber Cement (I avoid glue/modge podge because these can warp paper easily.)
::Pencil
::Lightbox (if you do not have a lightbox, an adequate "flat" light source will work such as a window so you can write on the paper)
::4+ Bobby Pins, tape, or other means of security.
::Cutting Board
::Printer (optional, if you choose to find a picture on the internet)
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
::Miscelinious
I'm pretty sure that i was only cutting one sheet per time along with the guide sheet. I'm thinking that you may have gotten confused when i was demonstrating how the layers would look together.
And as far as knife sharpening, i can't help you there. I just used a Victorinox pocket knife. They are my favorite knives for everything. But i did use a sharp knife to do the entire project without it getting dull.
And what did you do a picture of, may i ask? (:
i don't think i have the patience to do this though.