PROJECTS: PORTRAIT WINDOW
2b. Take the smaller of your 2 mirrors, and secure it with duct tape
onto the front side of the window, with the reflective side of the
mirror against the glass, in the approximate spot where you want
the first portrait. Face the window flat against a wall, at a height
that will allow for optimal framing of the reflection.
2c. Recruit your first subject, and give him or her the following
guidelines:
» Most importantly, stand very still.
» Whichever eye you use to squint, stay consistent. (Switching
eyes will throw the perspective off and make your face look like
a Picasso.)
» Begin by following the line of your silhouette, so in case
you do move or shift your body weight, you’ll have a frame
of reference to which you can return.
Have your friend stand in front of the mirror and trace her
reflection onto the back of the window glass, using the paint
marker. Don’t touch the finished tracing, and allow it to dry
completely for at least 1 hour.
2d. Once the portrait has dried, remove the mirror and reposition
it on the front of the window at the spot where you’d like to place
the next portrait. Repeat with more portraits, until the back of the
glass is filled to your liking.
3. PAINT THE DRAWINGS
Once the last portrait is completely dry, remove the mirror and
clean any tape residue from the front of the glass.
Place the window flat on a work surface with the illustrated side
(the back) facing up, and fill the forms with acrylic paint, using
the silhouette of each portrait as your border.
With this step you may take liberties, leaving eyes or lips transparent, for instance, or deliberately allowing the paint to cross outside
the lines. Try using alternate colors for clothing or hair — or keep
the composition monochromatic. Allow the paint to dry.
craftzine.com/10/portraitwindow
NOTE: If an egregious error should occur,
the paint marker can be wiped clean from
the glass with a cloth or paper towel while
it’s still wet. Once it dries, however, you’ll
need acetone, lacquer thinner, or something of that ilk, like nail polish remover.
