Blog: @silhouettist
A modern-day silhouettist tells his story. Charles Burns writes about his explorations into the art and history of silhouette. His mission is to bring this often-overlooked art to a wider, appreciative audience.
Capturing Likeness in Caricature
28.01.2020 by Charles Burns
Is it possible to make a caricature likeness in silhouette? This question vexed me for many years. (more…)
En Grisaille Portrait Silhouettes
17.03.2019 by Charles Burns
I began playing with an en grisaille portrait many years ago. At the time, I was experimenting with traditional techniques for adding gold details (known as embellishing) and began scribbling pencil notes on my white copies. I began to find these white copies more interesting than the finished silhouettes! (more…)
A face-on silhouette or two (you mean, not in profile?)
03.02.2018 by Charles Burns
“Can you cut a face-on silhouette? What happens if I'm not in profile?” For years, like most silhouettists, I tended to avoid these questions. (more…)
The Importance of Silhouette Repertoire
14.02.2017 by Charles Burns
How many ways cut I cut a silhouette? To be honest, I've let count. Soon after I cut my 50,000th silhouette I realised repertoire was everything. Since then, I've made it my ambition to cut or paint every kind of silhouette I can imagine. Here are some of them.
Radio shades
15.07.2013 by Charles Burns
Whenever I feel I've exhausted all the challenges silhouette cutting has to offer, a new one always opens itself up to me. A week or so ago I was asked to cut a single silhouette. The subject was Tony Blackburn and the challenge was to cut it live on the radio! (more…)