Create A Side Silhouette With Natural Hair Painting

Painting a side silhouette with natural hair is a fun and easy project that can be done by beginners and expert crafters alike. A silhouette is a solid shape that is typically black and featureless, contrasted against a light background. This simple art form can be used to tell a story, convey emotion, or depict an atmosphere. To create a side silhouette with natural hair, you can start by taking a profile picture of your subject with their hair in a ponytail to avoid a blob effect. You can then print out the photo and cut out the silhouette, or use a computer program like Canva to edit the image and print it out. After that, you can use black paint to fill in the cut-out or printed silhouette, and adhere it to a painted plaque or cardstock. With these simple steps, you can create beautiful and unique silhouette art.

Outline the silhouette with black paint or ink

Painting a side silhouette with natural hair is a fun and creative process that can be achieved through various methods. One popular approach is to use watercolour paints or black paper cut-outs. Here, we will focus on the step of outlining the silhouette with black paint or ink, a crucial stage in achieving a bold and dramatic effect.

Prepare Your Surface and Silhouette Design

Before outlining with black paint or ink, ensure your watercolour paper is securely taped down to prevent unwanted wrinkles or tears. This step is essential to achieving a neat and professional finish. Use masking tape or washi tape, which are specifically designed to prevent tearing and provide a clean border. Additionally, consider wetting the surface of the paper with water until it appears shiny; this technique helps the paint flow and mix more effortlessly.

Now, it's time to sketch the silhouette design. If you're painting a person's profile with natural hair, position your subject sideways, parallel to a wall, as if they're walking past it. Ensure their chin is up, their shoulders are included in the frame, and they're looking straight ahead. Take several photos to capture the perfect profile image. For natural-looking hair, consider styling it in a ponytail or trying different hairstyles to see what works best.

Outlining the Silhouette

Once you have your reference photo or sketch, it's time to outline the silhouette with black paint or ink. This step is crucial in achieving a bold, high-contrast look. Use a foam paintbrush to apply the black paint or ink, as it helps avoid visible brush strokes and creates a smooth finish. Take your time and focus on precision, especially when outlining intricate details like hair. Remember, you can always go back and add more later.

If you're working with watercolour, ensure the previous layer is completely dry before outlining with black paint or ink. This prevents the colours from mixing unintentionally. When outlining, consider the direction of your brushstrokes and the thickness of the lines. For example, if you're painting a person's profile, use thinner lines for the hair and thicker lines for the outline of the head and body.

Don't worry about achieving perfection with your outline; a few imperfections can add character to your artwork. However, if you're unhappy with your outline, remember that you can always go back and make adjustments. Let your outline dry completely before moving on to the next step, whether that's adding additional details or filling in the silhouette with more black paint or ink.

By following these steps and paying attention to detail, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning side silhouette with natural hair, capturing the beauty and drama of this unique art form.

Position the subject sideways, facing parallel to the wall

To paint a side silhouette with natural hair, it is important to position your subject correctly. Here is a detailed guide to help you with this step:

Position your subject sideways, facing parallel to a wall, as if they are walking past it. This technique ensures that you capture a clear image of their profile. Imagine they are walking alongside the wall, with their body positioned sideways, and their face looking straight ahead. This angle will provide a clear view of their profile, including their hair, which is essential for creating an accurate and natural-looking silhouette.

Instruct your subject to stand straight up with good posture. Their chin should be up, but not tilted too high, maintaining a natural-looking neck angle. This may appear slightly unnatural in reality, but it will look perfect in the silhouette. You can experiment with different head positions to find the most flattering and natural-looking angle. Take several shots with slight variations in head position to have options to work with.

For subjects with long hair, consider trying different hairstyles. If the hair is down, it may appear as a "blob" in the silhouette, so putting it up, such as in a ponytail, can provide better results. Take photos of your subject with their hair styled in different ways to see which look you prefer. You can even try capturing the hair in motion, such as when your subject is walking, to create a sense of movement and fluidity in the silhouette.

When photographing your subject, ensure the camera is facing the wall, with the lens level with their face. Avoid tilting the camera up or down, as you want to capture a straight-on view of their profile. It is also recommended to include the subject's shoulders in the frame, as this will provide a more complete silhouette and ensure the final image is proportional.

By following these instructions, you will be able to capture the perfect side silhouette with natural hair, ready to be transformed into a beautiful work of art.

Take photos with the head in different positions

Capturing the perfect photo for a silhouette cut-out requires the subject to be positioned sideways, parallel to a wall, as if walking past it. The subject should stand straight with good posture, looking straight ahead with their chin up but not tilted upwards. This ensures that the camera captures a clear image of their profile. It is important to include the shoulders in the frame, and avoid tilting the camera. Take multiple shots to have a range of options to work with.

For subjects with long hair, experimenting with different hairstyles is a good idea. Taking photos with the head in different positions can help determine the best angle for the hair. If the hair is worn down, it may appear as a "big blob" in the silhouette. A ponytail, for instance, can provide a cute flip that is easier to capture and cut out.

If the subject has natural hair, it is important to consider the unique characteristics of this hair type. Natural hair is often curly, coily, or textured, and these features can be accentuated in a silhouette portrait. Playing with different hairstyles can help to find the most flattering and aesthetically pleasing look for the silhouette.

Additionally, taking photos with the head in various positions can aid in refining the silhouette's overall appearance. Small adjustments to the head position can create different effects, such as emphasising the curve of the neck or the angle of the jawline. This allows for a more dynamic and interesting composition.

In summary, taking photos with the head in different positions is crucial when creating a silhouette with natural hair. It ensures that the hair is captured in a flattering way and allows for experimentation with different styles. By following these steps, you can create a unique and visually appealing silhouette portrait that showcases the beauty of natural hair.

Tape the edges of the paper to keep it flat

To create a silhouette painting, it is important to tape down the edges of your watercolour paper. This ensures that the paper remains flat throughout the painting process.

Firstly, you should gather your art supplies, including watercolour paints, brushes, paper, and a mixing palette. Then, cut out your silhouette image. If you are creating a portrait, position your subject facing sideways, parallel to a wall, as if they are walking past it. Ensure their head is straight, but not tilted upwards, and include their shoulders in the frame. Take multiple shots to have a variety of images to work with. For subjects with long hair, consider trying different hairstyles, such as a ponytail, to find the most flattering silhouette.

Once you are happy with your image, print it out and cut out the silhouette. You can use scissors or a sharp knife, being careful to pay close attention to the details. If you are creating a portrait, you can add extra touches like eyelashes and exaggerate certain features, such as the hairline, for a more refined look.

Now, tape down your watercolour paper. Use masking tape or washi tape, as these tapes don't tear the paper and leave a clean border. They also prevent water from seeping under the tape. Apply the tape to all four edges of the paper, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles to ensure a flat surface.

With your paper securely taped down, you can begin painting your watercolour silhouette, following the steps provided in the tutorial of your choice. Remember to remove the tape slowly only after the watercolour is completely dry, to reveal a crisp, flat silhouette painting.

Use a pencil to sketch the silhouette before cutting

A silhouette is a solid shape that is completely dark and featureless, usually contrasted against a light background. It is a unique and beautiful way to tell a story, convey emotion, or depict an atmosphere.

When creating a silhouette with natural hair, it is important to first position your subject facing sideways, parallel to the wall, as if they are walking past it. Ensure that they are standing straight with good posture, looking straight ahead with their chin up. This will ensure that the camera captures a clear image of their profile.

Now, use a pencil to sketch the silhouette before cutting. This step is crucial as it allows you to refine the details and get the image exactly how you want it. Pay close attention to the hair, especially if it is long and natural. You may want to try a few different hairstyles and consider a ponytail to avoid a big blob of hair in the silhouette. Take your time and make adjustments as needed. Remember, it is easier to cut less at first and then go back and cut more later if needed.

Once you are happy with the sketch, you can start cutting out the silhouette. This process will be much easier if you have a printed image to work with, rather than tracing from a computer screen. Use sharp scissors and carefully cut out the silhouette, following the lines of your sketch. If you are cutting by hand, you can easily add extra touches like eyelashes and exaggerate the hairline for a more refined look.

Frequently asked questions