Custom Hand-Cut Paper Portraits and Silhouette Art
I turn your favorite photos into delicate, hand-cut paper silhouettes. It’s a little bit of magic that has traveled from my desk to some incredible people, and I’d love to create a special piece for you too.
It still feels unreal that I got to create this piece for Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter, Shweta. My dad presented it to him, and he even signed a copy for me! This hand-cut portrait captures a special father-daughter bond, a theme that's really close to my heart.
The pure joy on Liza Koshy's face says it all! I made this custom portrait of her and her mom as a last-minute birthday gift, and her reaction was just everything. Seeing someone this happy with my art is why I do what I do.
This video shows the journey of creating a tribute portrait for the legendary music director Madan Mohan. It was an honor to make this piece, which I later got to present to his son at a concert celebrating his music.
Here is the finished, framed portrait I created for the iconic Carnatic musicians, Ranjani and Gayatri. I love how the clean lines and details look in a simple black floating frame, making the art the complete focus.
This is a look at a portrait for singer Hariharan's mother, Smt. Alamelu, right after the cutting was done. You can see my craft knife and the tiny paper pieces left behind from the detailed, manual work.
What a precious moment. Here is the incredible Smt. Alamelu, mother of Hariharan sir, holding the custom paper-cut portrait I made for her. I'm so grateful for these opportunities to create meaningful gifts.
I was so excited to meet the amazing Vidya Balan and present her with this custom portrait. She was so warm and appreciative, and it was a moment I'll never forget.
A super close-up look at the intricate details in the portrait for Liza Koshy. Every single line is carefully cut by hand to capture the unique features and expressions from the original photograph.
About Featured
Every portrait I make starts as a simple sheet of paper and my craft knife. I don't use machines, just steady hands to follow the contours of your photograph. Because it’s all manual, I can focus on the tiny details—like the texture of a saree, facial expressions, or even a specific accessory—that make a portrait truly yours.
When you commission a piece, you are getting more than just an image. I use 180-200 GSM acid-free artist paper, which is sturdy enough to hold intricate details but delicate enough to catch light beautifully.
My process is entirely analog. I create a digital stencil from your photo, but the real work happens with the blade. Every line, curve, and shadow is hand-cut.
Why floating frames?
I frame these in double-glass floating frames. This isn't just for aesthetics; it allows the cut paper to cast soft, natural shadows on the wall behind it, giving the art a 3D effect. It makes the subject feel like it is floating in space.
Customization and Gifting
Since I handle every cut myself, I can add little personalized touches—a name, a special date, or even a small thematic element like a guitar or floral pattern—directly into the design. Whether it is a tribute for a loved one, an anniversary gift, or a birthday surprise, my goal is to capture the vibe of the person in the photo.
I’ve been lucky enough to make portraits for legends like Amitabh Bachchan and the family of the iconic music director Madan Mohan, and those moments taught me how much this art connects people. I usually take a few days to get the details perfect, but if you have a tight deadline, I have managed 6-hour turnarounds before. Let's chat and figure out what we can make together.
Smriti
Hi, I'm Smriti! I started cutting paper into art back in 2020, and honestly, it’s just magic to me. Whether it's a piece for a legendary artist or a gift for your family, I pour everything I have into that craft knife to make it special.
Looking for something else?
You can also explore other custom artwork, framing styles, or specific portrait commissions.
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