Grandson, Nathan

[Buzz]

Finally finished the conversion from photo to pattern of Marissa's brother Nathan. Definitely have mixed emotions about the resulting cut.

[Gill]

Hi Buzz

I think Nathan and other members of your family will be delighted with the portrait. There's nowt at all wrong with your cutting technique.

When I compared the portrait to the photograph, I noticed two things. Firstly, he's very fair skinned and you have to look closely to pick out the contrast that's necessary for a shadow portrait. Secondly, I noticed the light was coming from the left hand side of the photograph (Nathan's right). You see this more clearly on the attached picture which I've run through Inkscape. As a result, the shadow portrait would work better if more prominence was given to the features on the side that's more exposed to the light source whilst more shadow was employed on the side away from the light source.

I think you'd find this a fabulous learning exercise and you'd get a portrait to be really, really proud of if you had another try, paying more attention to the light source.

Gill

[Buzz]

I'm afraid what you have said is a bit over my head. I have very little artistic ability or photographic foresight. Don't forget, you're dealing with a Dane. In looking at your rendition I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be seeing. But thanks for the input. Maybe if I study it enough I will see what you mean.
By the way, are you doing anything with your airbrush?

[Gill]

Hi Buzz

Have a look at this page which demonstrates the importance of the light source for photographs. Each photograph shows the same model but changing the position of the light source creates different shadows and actually changes the style of the portrait dramatically. This is important to scroll saw pattern designers when we are looking to design shadow portraits such as the one you made. Scrolled shadow portraits rely heavily on the position and shape of the shadows, not the outline of the model.

In your photograph of Nathan, the light is coming from our left-hand side, his right, and slightly from the front. This means that one side of his face is slightly darker than the other. Yet your rendition does not show this - the amount of shadow on both sides of his face is equal. This makes the portrait look as if the light is shining directly at him and flattens the detail. If you could take greater account of the shadow in your portrait, you'd capture more of Nathan's personality.

I hope this helps. It's much easier to demonstrate the concept with a 3 dimensional object than it is to describe it with words.

The airbrush? I keep saying I'm going to use it but when the crunch comes, I'm too scared that I'll wreck it! Silly, isn't it?

Gill

[Buzz]

Gill, you're exactly right on the light. It is coming in the patio doors on his right. Not sure how to indicate this on a scrollsaw pattern, but I will be doing another conversion very soon. Hopefully this will be better. Went to the site you indicated and I will be having some of the same problems with some pictures I just took of one of my neighbors. I may get more insight with converting photos with these newer pictures which were taken with a better camera.
Air brush: If you will let me know what kind of air brush you have, I may be able to give you some cleaning tips. My suggestion would be to start with acrylics as they are water soluble and easier to clean up after than enamels, etc. I probably over clean, but after every use I take mine apart and clean the needle, nozzle etc. Usually not a difficult job.

[Gill]

Hi Bruce

My airbrush is an Aztek A470 with just a basic nozzle. It uses gravity feed cups. Any advice that might give me the confidence to try it out would be very welcome indeed!

I'll have a look at your photo of Nathan and see if I can incorporate some elements which will give the pattern a bit more texture. No promises on timescale, though - I tend to work very slowly through pattern designs and although I get there in the end, I'm a tortoise, not a hare .

Gill

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Gill

Hi Bruce

My airbrush is an Aztek A470 with just a basic nozzle. It uses gravity feed cups. Any advice that might give me the confidence to try it out would be very welcome indeed!

I'll have a look at your photo of Nathan and see if I can incorporate some elements which will give the pattern a bit more texture. No promises on timescale, though - I tend to work very slowly through pattern designs and although I get there in the end, I'm a tortoise, not a hare .

Gill

Bruce? Just saw this (5/10/07). Will look up your airbrush and see if there is anything I can help you with on the cleaning. Would like to see you get into air brushing. I am using mine more and more, but I'm into modeling, mostly plastic cars, trucks, military etc. But I did do a lot of airbrushing of scroll saw work also, Ferris Wheel, carnival swing, gondola ride etc. Worked great.
Anything you can help me with on converting photos and making end result better will be greatly appreciated.