portrait advice please?

[gilljc]

I would like to make a portrait style picture for a friends retirement gift, and as I have never done anything like this before, would like to keep it simple and make something depicting 3 dressage riders similar to these :shock:
what thickness of ply would be best 3mm or 6mm? and what would be best way to frame it? would be grateful for any advice anyone can offer. Thanks

 

[martinka]

I think 3mm looks better but I find 6mm is easier to cut so I tend to use it more. You could use two 3mm thicknesses and end up with two finished copies.
Have a look on Steve Good's forum at the plywood frame that Ray Hayes made. Simple but effective.
Or buy a frame from a charity shop, they usually have boxes of them.

Martin.

 

[mac1012]

6mm thickness with a no 1 blade would give you nice control of the work piece my timber merchant does 5mm birch ply which is just about right for me
I have got nice frames on car boots or charity shops and depends what type you like , just make sure whatever size you make it it will fit a standard frame or the frame you choose

or even just some nice pine strip wood with square edges (or mitre edges if you have a hand mitre saw ) glued around the edge looks nice and you can colour wash it or wax or varnish so you can still see the grain , you can pick up cheap at local diy places or model,craft shops

mark