portrait pattern question

[rljohn56]

Hello, community!  having gotten into the portrait side of scroll sawing i have a question for those of you that are the masters of this.. i've attached one of several that i have done.  Now my process is to find the right picture then go onto Photoshop(my  preference) and eventually come up with a pattern.  my biggest struggle is with finding a picture that at least gives me a fighting chance at using threshold, grayscale, etc. to do all this. I'll admit i'm still learning all there is about not only Photoshop, but portrait making in general. My question is can't i use a sketching or drawing as such to eventually come up with the same idea? I have a program that will allow me to turn just about anything into a sketch, but because it doesn't have the same look as a portrait done using the threshold type look i wasn't sure how to go about making one that way as far as cutting it out goes. (I hope this is making sense). this question came about because my family wanted a portrait of grandpa & mom, but there isn't any good clear pic to work with.  however i've got something when i use my sketch program only it is just lines, or edges.  I've already learned so much from here already so i came to everyone again.  I look forward to any and all advice, tips, and help.  thanks, ray johnson   p.s. sorry this was such a long post.  lol

[Phantom Scroller]

In Photoshop use filter/sketch/photocopy first then you can go into threshold to take out most of the rubbish and you can even then go into Inkscape and smooth out all the edges. Hope this helps slightly. Roly

[rljohn56]

Holy Cow!  Thanks! that just cleared up about 6 photos right off the bat!  

[Lucky2]

Ray, this is a very good attempt at a cuttable pattern, but, there is a big problem with it. If you take a good look at the lefthand side of the pattern, you'll see that it is a large floater that will fall away from the cutting. It is an easy fix, and I only point it out because you're just starting out and I thought it would help when making other patterns.

Len

Edited January 5, 2017 by Lucky2

[Phantom Scroller]

Good point Len I forgot to say in Photoshop use your fill tool in toolbar and fill the pattern with colour you'll see all the floaters, then undo and correct to repeat action until they're all gone.. Roly

Edited January 5, 2017 by Phantom Scroller

[lawson56]

Some Great advise.Can add nothing here. Your off to a Great start Ray.

[rljohn56]

Thanks, guys, yeah, i realized i had a problem after i started cutting it out.  It wasn't the first time.  lol   attached is one i'm going to do, but again i have an issue because they are holding hands and it forms a closed circle so i'm not sure how to tie it in without making it obvious.

[Fab4]

Hi Ray:

For this pattern: 

You could leave it as is and just cut out the space between their hands

or just add a bridge something like the attached

 

 

Fab4

Edited January 6, 2017 by Fab4

[Birchbark]

Like Paul says, just flip it and make it a remove the white pattern, which is what you may want to do because there is a problem between their legs as well.

Here's my idea if you still want to remove the black.

 

Russell

 

 

[Birchbark]

Here's my idea of a remove the white pattern. 

 

Russell

 

 

[rljohn56]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice.  I learn something new for everyone each time i get on here. 

[amazingkevin]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice.  I learn something new for everyone each time i get on here. 

Me too,i just wish i could retain it all.

[heppnerguy]

Pattern making can be very challenging and a big learning experience.. I know because I myself am in the process of making an effort to learn how to do that. Just never give up and I am certain, if we both continue to make an honest effort we both will become comfortable with this endeavor. 

 

Dick

heppnerguy