A silhouette is a drawing of a person or an object in which only the outline is drawn, and the space within the outline is filled in with a solid color. This type of portrait has roots as far back as stone-age cave drawings and was used extensively in classic Greek culture. In the modern world, the silhouette is a popular craft project for both children and adults.
Instructions
1. Mount the sheet of white paper to a wall at the height of the person or object you will be silhouetting.
2. Place the silhouette subject 2 to 3 feet away from the wall in front of the paper, leaving enough room next to the paper so that you can draw on it easily.
3. Place your bright light source so that it will shine on your subject and cast a direct shadow onto the white paper. Turn on the light, and turn off any other lights in the room.
4. Use the pencil to trace the shadow's outline onto the white paper. Remove the paper from the wall.
5. Cut along your tracing line. Tape the resulting white cutout onto the black construction paper and use it as a template to cut out the silhouette on the black paper.
6. Glue the black cutout onto a piece of the colored accent paper. Use additional colored and/or patterned paper to mat the piece, add a border, or accent your work in a decorative manner.
7. Frame the finished piece, if desired.
