Hand-Cut Custom Paper Portraits
I turn your favorite photos into hand-cut silhouette art, using just paper and a craft knife. Every piece is a labor of love that catches the vibe and personality of the subject.
This is a photo of my dad meeting the one and only Amitabh Bachchan to present the portrait I made. My dad told him it was a gift from one daughter-loving father to another, which made the moment even more special.
The final artwork of Amitabh and Shweta Bachchan, with his actual signature on a print! He was so curious about the unique art form and promised to display the original paper-cut frame in his office.
A work-in-progress shot of the Bachchan portrait on my cutting mat. I added a scalloped border to this piece to give it a classic, stamp-like feel.
Here you can see the delicate lines of the portrait next to my craft knife. Creating this piece was a true labor of love.
This video captures the moment I surprised Liza Koshy with her birthday portrait. Her energy is so infectious, and seeing her smile was the best reward.
A happy Liza Koshy holding her custom paper-cut gift. I love creating pieces that celebrate family, and this portrait of her with her mom was so fun to make.
The finished cut for Liza's portrait, resting on my green cutting mat. Even with a 6-hour deadline, I made sure to capture the warmth in their expressions.
A macro view of the hand-cut details. This level of precision is what makes each paper silhouette a unique piece of art.
Watch the process of creating the Madan Mohan tribute portrait, from the initial cuts to the final presentation. It was a privilege to learn his story while working on this piece.
On stage, presenting the framed portrait of the late Madan Mohan to his son, Mr. Sameer Kohli. This happened at a concert organized in memory of his iconic songs.
About Portraits for Legends
I do not just trace a photo, I interpret the emotion. Every portrait starts as a digital stencil before I spend hours hand-cutting the paper with a precision knife. Because I work on heavy 180-200 GSM acid-free paper, the final piece has enough structure to cast real shadows inside a floating frame, which brings the silhouette to life on your wall.
When you commission a portrait, you are not just getting a print, you are getting a piece of hand-cut art that cannot be replicated by a machine. I pay attention to the tiny details that matter, like the texture of fabric or the specific way a person smiles.
The Process
- You send me your favorite photograph.
- I draft a stencil that highlights the key silhouettes and features.
- I hand-cut the design using a precision craft knife, leaving only the essential paper structure.
- I mount the cut-out in a floating frame, which uses double glass to create a 3D effect. The light hitting the paper creates shadows behind the art, making the silhouette pop.
Why Hand-Cut?
Unlike laser cutting, my manual process leaves no burnt edges and keeps the paper integrity intact. You can choose from different paper colors to match your home decor or the mood of the photo. Whether it is a single subject or a couple, I focus on making the art feel personal and alive. I have had the privilege of creating these for people like Amitabh Bachchan and the family of Madan Mohan, and I treat every commission with that same level of care. If you have an idea for a custom layout or want to include specific elements like instruments or flowers, let me know. I am open to all your creative ideas.
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