Bill Haley vinyl portrait

I always wanted to make a mosaic. My goal was, to make one with unordinary materials. So after a bit of brainstorming, about what to use (and me buying 150 vinyl records at a garage sale, don’t ask me why, I’m not sure myself), I decided to make one out of vinyl pieces.

After researching some famous old school musicians, I decided to go with one of the fathers of rock n’ roll: Bill Haley. Due to the fact, that my mum stole the last clock I made (Ok, I gave it to her after a lot of begging) and him being the voice of the song "Rock Around the Clock", I thought he was the perfect fit.

Step 1 What you need

Software:

• gimp (download), you can of course use any other graphics programm
• inkscape (download)

Material:

• old vinyl discs (I used 3)
• strong glue
• clockwork (or a clock, that you can take apart)
• canvas
• optional: 7" single vinyl disc

Tools

• cutting pliers (make sure to get good ones, because vinyl is pretty hard to cut. I love these: Knipex Diagonal Cutters, they are pretty expensive, but I would always buy them again)
• safety glasses
• working gloves
• old paintbrush, to apply the glue
• box cutter
• table lamp

   

Comments

[Retro Correct]

This looks great! I've seen art like this before, but never this straight forward. Though it will pain me greatly if people are doing this to anything besides spanish musicals. Vinyl with a decent system will always, I, repeat, always, destroy a cd or (heaven forbid) an iPod. So don't take away good vinyl, use mixes from djs, stuff thats too scratched to play, or spanish musicals.

- true audiophiles from around the world

[BrittLiv]

You are right, the sound of vinyls is just amazing. Believe me the ones we used, were just awful.

[fhanus]

Actually these made a nice crunching noise, as they snapped.. way better than the actual "German Schlager" music, which had to be disposed of due to sound-safety directives! ;-)

[Nivannah]

You have mad skills! I wish I had the time patience and skill to man one myself... but i don't. So i'll just settle for enviousness.... ha ha ha. Great Job!

[copilarim]

I love this clock!! you did a great job ! Even awful vinyls make great job:D Hehehe

[valhallas_end]

Very, very cool. I should try my hand at this for my brother - he collects old vinyls. Now what image to make...
Kudos for a really neat idea!

[BrittLiv]

How about a guitar or a saxophone, depending on what type of music he is into. Or his favourite artist. If you need help with the vector graphic, let me know.

[ChrysN]

That looks amazing, nicely done!