First attempt at portrait - is it cuttable?

[ScrollerGuy]

Attached is a portrait I'm attempting of my daughter. Before I put it onto the saw I would like some feedback. Is it cuttable when printed out on standard size 8.5 x 11 paper? If not, what changes should I make? 

My main concern is whether there is enough support for the central portion of the portrait. Are there enough bridges to the top and sides?

Do the teeth need additional bridges? 

Any other concerns? I've never done this before, so don't be afraid to point out the obvious.

Thanks

Edited to add the second image. 

Edited October 26, 2024 by ScrollerGuy

[Scrappile]

I see some very fragile spots but could not pick out any floaters.  

[Fab4]

 

HI Paul:
Well done on the conversion. Bottom left corner shows a floater but it doesn't interfere with much
You should be able to cut this the way it is, a few thin areas but still doable
Fab4

Edited October 28, 2024 by Fab4
added text

[ScrollerGuy]

Thanks to Scrappile and Fab4 for your input. I cleaned the image up a bit, made a few slight changes and went ahead and started cutting. At about 1/3 through it I have altered a few cuts and may delete a few others that may be too fragile. There are quite a few cuts that are narrower than I'm comfortable with, but I'll forge ahead with it and, hopefully, improve my cutting skills. I plan on leaving a bit of a frame around the sides, so the bottom left corner should be okay. If the finished piece isn't a total wreck, I'll post a picture here. 

I've already started converting one of my other daughter's wedding pictures which will really be a challenge to put to wood. I'll need some help with that one for sure. Thanks again for your input.

[FrankEV]

Three things. 

1. Yes it is scrollable.  For me, I would be using spiral blades to cut those long parrelel opening areas.

2.  I don'r care fo the bridges for the teeth.  My rule is every open area needs at least two bridges. I would have the bridges, one in the lower left end of the opening maybe a little further left of where you have yours, and one at the top in that thin area on the right, eliminating the two others in the bottom. Kind of makes her look like she has large gaps in her bottom teeth. 

3. Skip the side frame, won't look correct. 

JMHO, but you did request help.

Edited October 28, 2024 by FrankEV

[ScrollerGuy]

1 hour ago, FrankEV said:

Three things. 

1. Yes it is scrollable.  For me, I would be using spiral blades to cut those long parrelel opening areas.

Why spiral blades for those cuts? I'm new to this and don't have much experience with spiral blades.

2.  I don'r care fo the bridges for the teeth.  My rule is every open area needs at least two bridges. I would have the bridges, one in the lower left end of the opening maybe a little further left of where you have yours, and one at the top in that thin area on the right, eliminating the two others in the bottom. Kind of makes her look like she has large gaps in her bottom teeth. 

Good point. That would look better.

3. Skip the side frame, won't look correct. 

Maybe I described this wrong. I would leave a half inch or so border around the piece it is cut from. Otherwise, both shoulders and the bottom would be open at the edges. 

Here's a cutting Old Joe posted recently which has the frame/border I'm trying to describe here. 

JMHO, but you did request help.

Thanks, I do appreciate your help.

 

 

[FrankEV]

10 minutes ago, ScrollerGuy said:

 

I don't like cut frames.  Cut it as pictured.  Then make and mount in a nice rabbeted frame. The open areaat the shoulders will disappear under the frame.  BtW, no glass.  

[ScrollerGuy]

1 hour ago, FrankEV said:

I don't like cut frames.  Cut it as pictured.  Then make and mount in a nice rabbeted frame. The open areaat the shoulders will disappear under the frame.  BtW, no glass.  

Good advice. Thanks. 

I'd guess you don't like this one.  

Just playing with you. 

[ScrollerGuy]

Cut and framed. I see areas that could be improved, but overall it came out pretty good for my first try at a portrait. I even made the frame, which was another first try. There's room for improvement there too. Many thanks to those of you that helped me get this done. 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2024 by ScrollerGuy

[Scrappile]

WOW! and that is a really a great portrait.  Must be especially satisfying for you to make the pattern and then cut it.  I tried it once with a picture of my grandson.  I was jus proud when someone in the family realized who the picture was suppose to be of.    Congrats to you!

[ScrollerGuy]

Thanks, Scrappile. Yes, it is very satisfying to take a photo of my daughter and cut into a piece of wood, especially since I'm about as artistic as a mathematical equation. She happened to stop by yesterday and saw it for the first time. She was tickled pink. 

Surprisingly, I enjoyed making the frame despite the fact that the joints didn't butt up perfectly. Today I had another go at frame making. This time I did a better job, though not perfect.  It was for this Beethoven piece I made a while back from clipart, which required very little modification. 

 

[Dan]

Your work, the pattern and finished product, are fantastic. Great job!

[ScrollerGuy]

1 hour ago, Dan said:

Your work, the pattern and finished product, are fantastic. Great job!

Thanks, Dan. Much appreciated.

As I posted above earlier, I have started on my next portrait and it's coming along pretty well. Almost finished, but I keep seeing ways to "improve it", so progress has slowed. It'll have to be a larger piece to accommodate two people. I'm guessing maybe 20 inches wide, which should make for interesting cutting near the corners - probably requiring spiral blades. Also thinking about stack cutting 2 boards, one for me and one for my daughter and her husband. 

Here's a picture I took early on.

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