How to Make a Silhouette of Your Dog

Create a customized silhouette portrait of your beloved dog. This artwork will display your sophistication, personality and creative skills. Silhouettes work well in modern, eclectic and traditional decor.



By creating a portrait of your pet, you are putting a modern twist on a traditional portrait technique popular in the eighteenth century. Your family and friends will admire your creativity and your beautiful dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital camera
  • Lamp
  • Computer with photo editing software
  • Printer
  • Scissors
  • Frame
  • Matting
  • Card stock
  • Suede
  • Fabric adhesive
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place your pet against a blank, preferably white, wall and photograph your pet from the side using a digital camera. It may take time to capture the right shot.

    • 2

      Upload your photos to your photo editing program. Review the different photographs and select your favorite photograph for your silhouette.

    • 3

      Select the photograph's background and "cut" it to be removed from the photograph. The background will disappear.

    • 4

      Next, remove all color from the photo by desaturating the photo's color. Lower the photo's brightness level and increase its contrast levels. This will create a silhouette, where your dog's portrait is black and the background is white. Alter the photo dimensions to fit the frame of your choosing.

    • 5

      Save the final version of your dog's silhouette. Print the photo on card stock. Trim away the white background carefully from the photo. Add a thin layer of adhesive to the back side.

    • 6

      If you want to create a different texture for the silhouette, trace the portrait onto a piece of suede, leather or fabric. Cut the dog's portrait out carefully and add fabric adhesive to the back.

    • 7

      Place the portrait center onto a piece of matting. Place the matting carefully into your frame. Hang the dog silhouette where it can be admired by all.