Books, Silhouettes & Family Sittings

ERE YOU lucky enough to have a silhouette cut recently at some event or other? If so, you may be wondering how to get silhouettes done of the rest of your family. For small family groups the best option by far is to arrange a sitting over Skype.

For the silhouettist Skype is a revolutionary invention, as it enables an effectively live sitting without either party having to leave the comfort of their own home. Live sittings are important, as they enable the artist to have a better impression of the way you sit and move - both vital in obtaining a good likeness - as well as allowing you to see the silhouettes as soon as they are made.

For larger groups, for instance if you are able to get together with other families and arrange a silhouette party, you can book either Charles or Mike to make a home visit.

Booking a Skype session

Use the link below to book a session; you will receive an acknowledgment inviting you to make an appointment
Reply and set up an appointment at a time when your family and the artist can all be on-line together
Launch Skype at the appointed time and watch your silhouettes being made live on-line
Your silhouettes will arrive by post or airmail a few days later, mounted on a 5"x 7" card signed by the artist; note that worldwide postage is included in the price.

Skype sessions are available in 15-minutes intervals as follows:

15 mins, suitable for between 2 & 4 silhouettes (and a bit introductory chat)
30 mins, suitable for a family group of 6-8 silhouettes
45 mins, suitable for a group of 10-15 silhouettes
1 hour, suitable for a group of more than 15, or else to make a single portrait miniature

Notes

If you are not sure how long you need, do get in touch and ask.
For very large groups, or sessions longer than one hour, it is usually better to arrange a home or office visit.

If you have not used Skype before you can set it up here.

Gift Vouchers

Silhouette Skype sessions make interesting gifts. The process is the same except that you will receive a voucher to give to the recipient, who will then need to contact us to arrange an on-line appointment. Please add a note that you require a gift voucher as you check out using Paypal.

Mastering Silhouettes

A limited number of signed copies of Charles' 2012 publication 'Mastering Silhouettes' are still available, featuring a series of projects for creating your own silhouette portraits together with a wealth of historical background. Illustrated in colour throughout. The author is happy to add a personal inscription if you wish.

Cover price £16.99 + P&P

A cut-paper silhouette set into an oval on a printed card

Silhouettes from photographs

If a Skype session is not practical for any reason it is sometimes possible to make a silhouette from a photograph. Please bear in mind that much depends on the quality of the photograph, and that it is not always possible to obtain the same likeness as from a live (or Skype) session. It is important that the photograph be an exact profile, showing the whole head and shoulders, including any long hair. You will need to buy the silhouettes on-line and then send the photographs, either by post or as an e-mail attachment.

Your silhouette will arrive by post in a couple of weeks, mounted on a printed 5"x 7" card as shown and signed by the artist.

Silhouettes from photographs: £45.00 per person, inclusive of worldwide p&p

A print showing 64 silhouettes presented in a silver A3 frame

Event giclée prints

After booking a silhouette artist to attend a special event, for instance a wedding or birthday party, it is often possible to create a print of all the silhouettes cut at that event from the white off-cuts kept as a record by the artist. You need to know the date of the event and whether it was Charles or Mike (or both) who attended.

You will receive an A3 print, signed by the artist and framed as shown, as well as a digital copy to share with friends on networking sites. The process is quite time-consuming, so you should allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

If the event was some time ago it's a good idea to get in touch first, however if for any reason your event is not available you will receive an immediate refund via Paypal.

Event giclée print: £150.00, inclusive of UK p&p