Portrait Help Please

[IBMer]

It's the anniversary of my Cousin Brian's death.   He was accidentally shot and killed by his best friend.  Brian was in the front seat of a van, his friend was in the back seat.  The friend was removing his gun to store it before entering a restaurant when it discharged.   The bullet passed through the seat back and severed Brian's Aorta.    Brian's pregnant wife was driving the van, so he never met his new baby.

I'd like to cut a portrait, but have never done one.   I have some portrait blades to try out, but need a pattern.   If it's not too much trouble, could someone please help me convert this picture to a portrait pattern?   

Sincerely,
John

[EIEIO]

try this...

[Old Crow]

John, Here is my take on him. Sorry I couldn't find more detail.
Don R

[IBMer]

These are REALLY NICE.   Thank you so much for your help.   Like I was saying, I've never done a portrait.  Do you cut them from Baltic Birch, then put dark fabric behind?   

Again, thank you for your help!  The folks on this Forum are Great!

John

[EIEIO]

Most people use 1/8" or 1/4" Baltic Birch for portraits. Regular cheap 1/4" ply is no good - it has voids in it that will break out if you cut too fine a line. I've done some portraits in 1/4" Red Oak and they came out really nice. Lowe's has 1/4" x 5.25" x 24" red oak boards for about $4. I've cut mine to fit a standard 5x7 frame.

The backing can be stained or painted plywood, but I prefer to use black card stock glued to the back of the cutting (OfficeMax sells 8.5x11 black cardstock). It is very black with no shine so it makes a good backing for the portrait.

[Old Crow]

I use 1/8 inch Baltic Birch and a 2 or 3 mm foam sheet as a backer.
Don R

[dgman]

Hey John, if using 1/8", its best to stack two or more layers together for better control and stability. I never cut any thinner than 1/4".  I typically stack four layers of 1/8". Along with better control of the piece, you get mutiple copies of your portrait!

[IBMer]

My first project on my  new saw  DW788, first attempt at using a spiral blade,  and first portrait ever.   I'm very happy with the results.

[Keefie]

Excellent work, I couldn't have done it using spirals, I still haven't mastered them.

[dgman]

Well John, that is some excellent work! You should be proud!
How do like your new saw?

[Old Crow]

Nice work, John. Thanks for sharing.
Don R

[IBMer]

Old Crow,   How did you make this pattern?   I'd be very interested in learning how.   I did a few searches and saw Coyote software, and also the use of things like Corel PaintShop.

May I ask how you made this pattern?   I sent you an email as well.

John

[Tomsunnu]

Don nice pattern


John, looks very ,very nice

Thank you for sharing

Mahendra

[Joleet]

Very nice pattern and cuttings guys.

[IBMer]

Yes, I'm infinitely thankful to the folks that sent in patterns.   I want to learn how to do this..    Can anyone point me to the correct software and or good tutorials?

John