June 15, 2007
tutorial: self-portrait stencil
I am soooo excited about this one. Please do try it, especially you journal artists. It is alot more fun than you'd think to manipulate images of yourself. Although I makestencils a lot, it had never occurred to me to do a self-portrait until I read RandiFeuerhelm-Watts' brilliant book,Wide Open. If you don't have her book, go get it
today
. So many inspiring ideas! Okay, let's get to it.
Materials you need:
o
Clear photograph of yourself, preferably a self-portrait
o
Photoshop, PE (Photoshop Elements), or other photo editing software.
o
Exacto knife with new sharp blades (this is essential if you don't wantto be cursing yourself through this project.)
o
A self-healing mat is nice and makes cutting much easier (you don'thave to have a huge one). I've also heard of using a piece of glass tocut on, but I'd cut my finger off for sure. Note: rotary cutting mats arenot self-healing. They work okay, but not as nicely as the self-healingmats.
o
Cardstock or other material for your template. Cardstock is easy, but afile folder, inkjet transparency (assuming you have an inkjet printer),thin plastic used to make stencils (you can find them with the stencilsat craft stores), and really thin chipboard all work well, too. Plain copypaper will work but it won't last as long. You need something thick enough to hold cut details well, but thin enough to run through yourprinter. I suppose photo paper or smooth watercolor paper would work,too. Note: you can run just about anything that is flat, can be cut downto 8.5 x 11 or smaller, and isn't sticky through your printer, includingfabric--trust me, I've tried it all and never had a problem.
o
Dye ink pad and cosmetic sponge or acrylic paint with sponge brush.
o
Plain paper to test on.
Making the Stencil
1.
The first thing you need to do is to select a good photograph. Not necessarily"good" as in flattering, but "good" as in the image makes a good stencil.Finding the perfect one takes some time. Be patient and have fun. You mayhave to digitally manipulate several photos before deciding which one wouldmake the best stencil. You're looking for clear definition and not too manydetails.2.
Once you find the right photograph, you need to simplify and turn it into b&win Photoshop or PE. Although another program might work, I can only showyou how on these. I'm sorry, but I have no pictures for this part. I can't find myoriginal picture. Somehow I must have deleted it or something.)3.
Scan or pull up the digital photo in Photoshop. Disclaimer: I am no experthere, I just know what has worked for me not necessarily the only/best way todo it. Everything I know, I've figured out myself.4.
Apply the "Note Paper" filter to your photo: Filter/Sketch/Note Paper. Thenreduce the Relief by sliding the slider bar to the left all the way to zero. Click Okay.
5.
Next, change your image to black & white and simplify it a bit:Image/Adjustments/Threshold. (For PE: Filter/Adjustments/Threshold.) Thiswill turn your photo completely white. In the pop up box, slide the bar to theright until you begin to see your image reemerge. Move the slider back andforth until you get a clear image with as few details as possible while stillbeing recognizable.6.
Remember:
Everything that is Black you will be cutting away
. Don't worryabout the background b/c we aren't interested in it. And you also don't need toinclude every detail (clothes, hair, etc.) when you actually cut your stencil.7.
Once your image looks kinda like what could be a stencil, and you like it,click Okay.8.
At this point, you can use the Eraser Tool to remove some of the backgroundor any details that are distracting to you if you'd like. The simpler for cuttingthe better.9.
Finally, Save your document immediately! And put your cardstock in theprinter now.
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