First piece first portrait

[kyscroller]

I'm not sure if I am attaching the Pictures right or not but here goes. These pictures are the photograpgh I started with and that I turned into a pattern to saw and the piece I finished cutting today. It is my first scroll saw project. It is cut out of 1/4" baltic birch. It took me about 4 or 5 hours to cut. Any tips as to what backing to use or color of backing and a good color of stain to make it stand out.

[lucky788scroller]

Id say black matt board. I think your cutting looks pretty nice, but I think a bit more of the beard would make it look more like the photo. I cant make patterns from pictures, but I would think that photo would have been difficult to work with because of distance and lighting. Dale

[kyscroller]

Thanks.
It was a picture of my dad and the only picture I could find quick enough to convert to a pattern to start sawing. I just got the saw last sunday and started playing with the patterns after I got the saw. I got alot to learn. I have read several threads on here about helping converting photos to patterns but that seems to be a whole new learning curve trying to get hair and facial hair to come out right.

[PuzzledMoose]

that seems to be a whole new learning curve trying to get hair and facial hair to come out right.

You just need to scroll bald-headed clean shaven people, KY

Seriously that cutting looks great.

[kerry_nf]

Hey ky, the cutting looks very good for a first attempt.

One thing I would recommend to watch for...the line where the ply panels are fused ... try and avoid using a wood piece with that in there.

I cut one one time where that line when right along a little girls lips and completely ruined the portriat (I had to do it over).

Otherwise, good on ya bud.

[kerry_nf]

As for the backing, I just use the black felt that you can get at Wal Mart...very cheap but very nice.