Dare to Make It: Holiday

How to Make a Semiphotorealistic Three-Shade Print

Lee Meredith, contributor

50 users recommend

It's a wacky, semiphotorealistic portrait of Christopher Walken!

Lee Meredith

Any object with well-defined lines like this camera will make a great stencil!

Lee Meredith

This three-shade process is so magical because once you put the three stencils together, your image will appear!

Lee Meredith

It's a wacky, semiphotorealistic portrait of Christopher Walken!

Photo: Lee Meredith

Add Comment
Print

And then here's an example of a one-color face print—just play with the image contrast until you have a pure black and white picture that looks how you want it.

You can leave out a ton of detail for a super-minimal print that still looks like the person.

And this last example is a bit more feminine because, of course, this project can be used for the ladies on your list, too!

This stencil was made from a free-hand drawing, which is another option for crafty artists.

If you are thinking, "This seems like it could be a fun project to do with my kids, if it wasn't for that darn X-Acto knife," you're in luck! I did a tutorial on my own blog a while back on kid-friendly freezer-paper stenciling, using scissors instead of a knife. You can also use shaped paper punches! Stenciling rocks!

View 3 member project galleries

Freezer Paper...
InspiredAmanda

Dave Matthews
cabaute

Freezer Paper...
Minimeg

Add Comment Print

How to Make a Business Card Holder . . . From Playing Cards  

Back to List

Last Minute Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas

Comments (7)

Keren_D writes: Hi Lee,

This is a great tutorial. I've seen a lot of craft/sewing tutorials and this one is fascinating, well-explained, and well-photographed. Excellent!

BTW, do you have a blog?

Keren (www.sewlavie.com)
Posted: 1:23 am on December 17th

Jetmuis writes: wooow what a great tute you have made!!!!
awesome too your designs , well done.
love this!!!! thank you too for the sharing, your very gifted and rocking;-D!!!!!!
Posted: 4:54 am on December 12th

christineblint writes: Far away and far out idea and execution. My congrats to you and your creativity--you are a professional.
Posted: 1:33 pm on December 13th

OTorres writes: Lee, this is just so cool, thanks
Posted: 10:46 am on December 13th

crafty1900 writes: this is great! very thorough.
Posted: 7:16 pm on December 10th

ohbrooke writes: Okay, THIS is BRILLIANT. I'm going to do it, and I'll be sure to send pictures. My husband would LOVE this!
Posted: 3:27 pm on December 10th

TipiLady writes: Is it possible to get giddy over crafting? I can hardly keep the smile off my face. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! This is going to save a bundle on Christmas presents and a whole lot of other occassions. This is incredibly generous of you to share this information and your talent. I can't wait to try it.
Posted: 1:00 pm on December 10th

You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.