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Custom Silhouette Canvases
This is a great project to do for an affordable custom piece of artwork. I love to do this project each year so I can see how my kids have changed. The current silhouettes hang in our living room and make wonderful conversation pieces. You can use the technique below to create any image. Imagine the possibilities: silhouettes of your pets, favorite quotes, etc. They also make wonderful gifts!

Posted by christinabw from Salt Lake City, Utah, United States • Published 10th March 2014 • See christinabw's 7 projects »

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Trisha J. favorited Canvas Silhouettes 27 Nov 04:45
Heidi S. favorited Canvas Silhouettes 19 Apr 16:18
Karen D. favorited Canvas Silhouettes 06 Oct 00:54
beth p. favorited Canvas Silhouettes 08 Aug 23:38
michelle a. favorited Canvas Silhouettes 13 Jul 08:39
joelle.lawson.7 favorited Canvas Silhouettes 10 Jun 10:41
Batgirl favorited Canvas Silhouettes 03 May 01:16
The Downtown Fiction favorited Canvas Silhouettes 18 Mar 03:09
PetiteElefant favorited Canvas Silhouettes 13 Mar 14:01
christinabw published her project Canvas Silhouettes 29 Jan 20:47

Step 1
Paint the canvas. This is the color that you want the actual silhouette to be. (I used white). Some people skip this step since the canvas is white…but I like to paint it so the whole thing has the same sheen.

Let it dry thoroughly (I recommend overnight).
Step 2
Take a photo of your subject. Scale it to size on your computer and print it out on regular paper. Trace around the outline of the silhouette and cut it out.

This will be used as your "template" in the next step.
Step 3
Flip you "template" over and trace around it again on the back-side of a sheet of adhesive vinyl.

You can use any color of vinyl sheet.
Step 4
Cut the silhouette out of the vinyl. Tiny scissors are best for fine details.
Step 5
Peel the backing off of the vinyl and stick it the dried canvas. Make sure the edges of the vinyl are stuck down nice and tight so the paint won't seep under it.
Step 6
Paint over the entire canvas with the second color. I usually paint two coats and let it dry between coats.
Step 7
When the paint is dry, peel the vinyl off the canvas and enjoy your new custom artwork!