American actor Lee Pace plays Elvin King Thranduil in the new motion picture The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. I was so stricken by this character's beautiful costume and head dress, I thought I'd give it a go as a bronzed Silhouette.
***Sorry, this Silhouette is intended as a show piece only, and is not for sale.***
The
process of hand embellishing a Silhouette is fun but challenging, as Silhouette paper is VERY unforgiving as a medium. If the Silhouette is
cut incorrectly, you must re-cut it, and the paper itself has
such an unusual grain to it, you cannot erase or alter/soften your paint
or
drawing lines on it in once a mark is made.
Currently,
there are about 100 working Silhouette Artists in the world, and maybe
only 2 of us that make embellished or "bronzed" Silhouettes.
First, the silhouette must be hand cut with scissors as a solid black
figure, then details are carefully hand drawn and/or painted in. For King Thranduil, both pencils and paint were used.
Lee Pace as Elvin King Thranduil by Silhouette Artist Kathryn Flocken.
Above is King Thranduil, about 3/4 of the way finished. More silver detail needed to be added into his hair, boot detail, and another layer of gold added to his coat on the right hand side.
Lee Pace as King Thranduil by Silhouette Artist Kathryn Flocken. The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug.
Some close up details King Thranduil's crown, hair, coat and boot.
Click on any of these photos to enlarge. Images may be shared, but with credit, please.
Images may NOT be taken and copied, or used for resale.
To have YOUR silhouette custom hand cut and hand bronzed from your photos,
please see my Etsy shop on the side bar,
or go to my website
Paperportraits.com and send an email inquiry.
Historical samples of bronzed Silhouettes, from the 1700-1800's.
Courtesy Peggy McClard Antiques.
That's me in the middle.
Ahhh, what an Elf I would have made.
