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.
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
This September I've arranged four more studio days. Each is named after a historical artist, I'm still working through the letter 'A'. You can book sittings here and read about the artists below. (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?
Capturing Likeness in Caricature
14.02.2020 by Charles Burns
Is it possible to make a caricature likeness in silhouette? This question vexed me for many years. (more…)
Mays Barn 2020 Studio Catalogue now out
16.01.2020 by Charles Burns
A short post to announce that my studio catalogue for 2020 has now been launched. Click here to download your free copy! (more…)
Prosopographus: the silhouette automaton
11.12.2019 by Charles Burns
As an artist interested in science I'm aways fascinated by weird pseudo-scientific ideas of the past, especially if they involve silhouettes. Once which caught my eye recently is the Prosopographus. In this post I'm going to take you back in time to see if it can be brought back to life. I’m looking for ideas to help me design a silhouette machine. A 200 year anniversary. I’m going to take you back exactly 200 years.
Fifty Shades and a Square Meal
03.09.2019 by Charles Burns
For the last few weeks I’ve been toying with an idea for a new book. I'm thinking about a picture book, a “guess the silhouette” collection of cuttings. It's the kind of book I hope somebody would love to receive in a Christmas stocking. (more…)