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.

Cut during lockdown: silhouette cutting as a Christmas gift experience

23.11.2020 by Charles Burns

Have you already made plans for Christmas? Or are you, like me, completely stuck? I've been thinking about silhouette cutting as an online 'gift experience' and holding onto the idea that silhouettes still make interesting and personal mementos of the unique times we're all living through. (more…)

December Studio Days from Battenham to Barber

17.10.2020 by Charles Burns

I've arranged six more studio days for December 2020. Each is named after a historical artist. These are a few silhouettists whose names begin begin with the letter 'B'. You can book sittings here and read about the artists below. (more…)

November Studio Days with Audax and Ardrossan

17.09.2020 by Charles Burns

This November I've arranged four more studio days. Each is named after a historical artist. These are the last silhouettists I know beginning with the letter 'A'. You can book sittings here and read about the artists below. (more…)

Are silhouettes the perfect socially-distant art?

14.09.2020 by Charles Burns

Nearly twenty-five years ago, early in my career as a silhouettist, I found myself working at a hunt ball alongside another, best-forgotten silhouette cutter. While cutting a silhouette I overheard him say to one of the guests: "It's not that you smell, but could you stand a bit further away please?!" I immediately resolved never to work with him again. (more…)

Is Silhouette Cutting Safe?

30.08.2020 by Charles Burns

If you're on my newsletter list I have a small favour to ask. I’m currently planning September’s newsletter on “the socially-distant silhouettist”. It’s an important subject; many artists and entertainers are thinking how to provide their services in both a safe and entertaining manner. For me, this is crucial in rebuilding a battered career! (more…)

October’s Collection of Accidental Profilists

14.08.2020 by Charles Burns

I've arranged just three studio days for October. Each is named after a historical artist, all still beginning the letter 'A'. You can book sittings here and read about the artists below. (more…)

Time Machine Now Live!

28.07.2020 by Charles Burns

Did I mention that I was building a time machine? I’m delighted to report that my silhouette time machine is now live and active, and that you can use it @silhouettist The concept is simple, to make my silhouettes available across all timezones. It does this by guiding people to one of my virtual studio days. (more…)

September’s Surprising Selection of Silhouettists

14.07.2020 by Charles Burns

I held four studio days in September. In order, they were named after: the mysterious Miss Alcock, Aldous, a silhouettist to the Duke of York, Allenby, an invisible Irish silhouettist, and Hans Allmayer, fond of cutting out German composers . (more…)

The Time Travelling Silhouettist

22.06.2020 by Charles Burns

The time-travelling silhouettist sounds like a character from a steam-punk extravaganza. I'd love to imagine I could be that man! Sadly, none of us can really travel in time. Yet curiously, the quirky craft I practice is beginning to make me feel like I'm doing just that. (more…)

August Begins with A-silhouettist

14.06.2020 by Charles Burns

This August I've started scheduling virtual studio days from my new website @silhouettist. To create some variety I'm naming each studio day as a tribute to artists of the past. Some are easy to find out information about, others not at all. (more…)

Can a silhouettist work from home?

01.04.2020 by Charles Burns

I've been asking myself whether I could work from home. As Coronavirus spreads its way around the world it seems everybody is doing it. Could a silhouettist work this way too? (more…)

Weird Symmetry

28.02.2020 by Charles Burns

As an artist interested in science I’ve always been fascinated by symmetry. As a silhouettist I rely completely on symmetry, my art would literally not exist without ti. I’d like to share some of that fascination by exploring a certain weird symmetry which infuses our lives. . (more…)

Cutting the Brides’ Silhouette

16.02.2020 by Charles Burns

Cutting a silhouette of the bride (or brides) live on her wedding day is always a heart-stopping moment. There she is, on her big day, surrounded by her closest family and friends. What could possibly go wrong? (more…)

Portraits and Caricatures by Inger Eidem

15.02.2020 by Charles Burns

I heard about Inger Eidem long before I knew her name. Whilst cutting silhouettes at events I'd occasionally meet people who'd tell me about silhouettes they had done in their childhood. Apparently the artist cut through two pieces of paper at the same time, one of which became a portrait and the other a caricature. Wait, what?! Is that even possible?