Hand Made Lightbox

[marylka]

Hand made light box

This was given to me how lucky was I.

 It is a light box to help with the tracing of your work once it has been drawn up  or reference photo to the watercolor paper It has a clear glass  smooth edged  top glued to a wood frame Opaque perspex would work also Size app 20/20 inches can be any size really.A store bought one range from$300

 I also would ensure that I protect the surface that i would place this on ,from the heat of the light globe for any great length of time and turn off when not actually drawing with it.I have not thought what size globe is best as yet,

 I will start low and increase if needed .I always consider safety first.

I am going to replace the bulb in this picture to the new low voltage one I feel they don't get as hot and for the same reason I would not use it for an extended amount time all at once. 

I will ask my son to put an on and off switch closer to the light box as my power source is hard to get to.
Marylka

[marylka]

An update I bought a long life electronic compact fluorescentlamp 35 watt globe daylight type it's 9 inches long it works really well with this light box.The light covers a great amount of the working area which is 20 inches square. I would only use low voltage type they don't heat up as much and cheaper to run.
I make sure when not in use to turn off.
I will use it in short amount of time at any one tracing session and check how hot the globe may get making sure I protect the surface I place it on.
Why I'm so careful I burnt a wooden table surface once with just a little aromatic candle in a burner  I was shocked
Marylka

[Maylon]

Never ever seen this before, how the heck does it work, sorry sounding so stupid.

[marylka]

Hi Maylon you place the image onto the glass then the watercolor paper  on top turn on the light box  and the outlines are there to draw from.
Marylka

[Renee]

I've heard of light boxes for tracing in 2008 and have never seen one before except in an Art Catalog. Marylka, that is quite crafty to have yours home made! I never knew light boxes exsisted until I was sent a Dick Blick Catalogue when I 1st started watercolor and getting serious about art on 2008. I had no clue that many artists traced their images to paint.  :oIt was a shocking realization at the time. I have never tried one.
Maylon, your question does not sound stupid to me at all. But, I understand that feeling. I had no clue they existed for many years. Plus, When I 1st started painting  and went to my very 1st workshop ever in 2008, I saw the teacher passing out pencils. Silly me, asked her what the pencils were for! She gave me the oddest look. Then told me everyone draws under their painting. Its the road map! Yes, I felt really stupid.
Marylka, you be careful! Its not good to get shocked!!!!

[marylka]

I've heard of light boxes for tracing in 2008 and have never seen one before except in an Art Catalog. Marylka, that is quite crafty to have yours home made! I never knew light boxes exsisted until I was sent a Dick Blick Catalogue when I 1st started watercolor and getting serious about art on 2008. I had no clue that many artists traced their images to paint.  :oIt was a shocking realization at the time. I have never tried one.
Maylon, your question does not sound stupid to me at all. But, I understand that feeling. I had no clue they existed for many years. Plus, When I 1st started painting  and went to my very 1st workshop ever in 2008, I saw the teacher passing out pencils. Silly me, asked her what the pencils were for! She gave me the oddest look. Then told me everyone draws under their painting. Its the road map! Yes, I felt really stupid.
Marylka, you be careful! Its not good to get shocked!!!!

It doesn't need to replace the drawing if that is what one wants to do, as one can draw on a sketch pad or a special tracing paper when they are ready to transfer the image to the watercolor paper, so as not to unduly rub out on the watercolor paper as that would damage it.Most Artist don't draw straight on their water color paper for that reason.
It was given to me by my calligraphy tutor a long while now, I had completly forgotten about it had it in a safe place that I forgotten where I put it sound familiar
It does need to be placed on a flat surface,  the photo was taken on it's end so the glass would not glare.I have seen a few on wetcanvas made in a similar way.It is widely used there was an article in Australian Art Magazine that state anything can be used so that one can achieve their vision in art.
Marylka

I will post an update with the low voltage day light globe better l replaced the previous one

[Renee]

I know what you mean. I was just letting Maylon know she is not the only one who did not know what they were.

Susan Bourdet warns in her book not to erase on the watercolor paper. That its better to transfer your image however you wish to do it.
Susan Harrison-Tustain says it works to put your watercolor paper right up against the window to transfer your image. (Have you noticed there are allot of Susans in this world who are professional artists?) I have to write in their last names to not get confused. 

 I always do a transfer of my drawing because as I have stated before, I erase way to much.
I usually put my drawing (the backside) that is on the sketch paper up to the window and outline my drawing on the opposite side  to get the graphite on the back side. Then I put my drawing on the watercolor paper and go over the front side with a pen. It transfers my drawing onto the watercolor paper. At least enough of it so I can draw in any missed spots. I love to draw and I love to paint. But the transfering part is the least fun part. A lightbox would make that chore much easier!
 I saw the price of them in the catalog and they are spendy. My husband gave me a funny look when I told him about them. I dont think he wants to get one for me! LOL!

[marylka]

Renee
Get your hubby to make you one and yes it's easier then using a window my back could not take that position Like you I first saw it in a art magazine then a demo on one of Arleta's DVD  They are expensive it's in the hundreds.

I made one ages ago by using a piece of opaque white Perspex I placed that on a slant with a light globe under it. I used that at the time to practise my calligraphy strokes I was amazed how well that worked  and got better very quickly by going over the letters

Another way widely used is by using transfer graphite paper the surface of that needs to be wiped down before using there is a lot of excess graphite when new.Some brands are better than others Loew Cornell is a recommended brand by some.There are some tilt table craft desks that come with a light box included .
Marylka

[poppycat]

Hello Maryllka and Renee, One of the first things that I purchased when I started painting, was a light box, very similar to what you have Marylka, except it is possibly larger, and has two bulbs similar to yours, I  had to have one because I am also a back sufferer, and although the window idea works, my poor back and neck just could not take it.  I do not  know what method you use, but I use the best tracing paper that I can get my hands on, and using a Rotring  ArtPen with black ink cartridges, with an extra fine nib to trace the image I want.  I find using tracing paper ideal because it is so thin and the black ink shows through the watercolour paper brilliantly.  I do not know if you are using a better method, but would like to hear if you are Marylka.  For those reading this, who do not use a light box, the tracing goes on the box first with the watercolour paper on top, and away you go.  I would not be without mine, and my Granddaughter, aged six, uses it also, with supervision of course.  Anyone who would like to make a light box, I can give measurements and photo's, it would be quite simple, I would have thought.  Regards, Patricia.

[poppycat]

Hello Everyone,  I thought that you might be interested in the photo that I have posted below.  My Granddaughter, Izabel completed it last year, when she was five.  Izabel and I often paint together, and she did this one using watercolour pencils, that I had bought for her, using the tracing and light box method, to begin the project.  We were all pleased and pleasantly surprised in October last year, when the small village newspaper held an art competition,  Izabels school entered one of hers in the 5 to 10 year olds.  Izabel came first in her age group, out of 5 villages schools, we were all delighted, as we did not know that she had been entered.  The prize that Izabel won was £30 for herself and £50 for her school funds.  I know that it is not a lot of money, but just right I feel for a five year old, and she was so proud that the school benefited by her effort also.  Kindest regards, Patricia.   

[Renee]

Marylka, I think my husband thinks I'm cheating if I use a light box so he wont make me one. He just does not understand that I do not trace the reference! (That takes the challenge and fun out of the journey for me). I trace my drawing.   Yes, Marylka, tracing over lines does teach and help you get better with then pen or pencil.

Patricia, What a beautiful job your Grand daughter Izabel did! Its beautiful! 
I got some tracing paper out for my 8 year old grand daughter Destiny because she was in tears wanting to draw this tiger she saw in a book. She tried and tried and as much as I encouraged her to take her time with it, she did not like her image (even though it was not half bad for an 8 year old,) so she finally broke down and cried, saying "I CANT DO IT! I"M NO GOOD! I took out some tracing paper and showed her how it works and watched her face transform to a happy glow! That hopefull look! I told her the more she does this, the better her drawing will get.

Once upon a time when I was little, I remember finding out that if I put thin paper over and image, I could trace the lines. It helped give me skill and control over the pencil. That is the best practice there is. It forces your left brain to let go of the control and  exercise right brain. Because you are following what you see in tracing and not thinking about the image behind it. Some people might think this is a useless lazy way to learn to draw, but I'm living proof it works.  It is a very accomplished feeling to know you have mastered it the best you can.

The window is quite painful. So I use Saral graphite paper under my drawing most of the time these days. I do not find it needs rubbed down. It is very light with no loose stuff on it. The sketching paper is soft enough to just go over with a pen and put the image on the watercolor paper. Then I go over it with an f pencil and lighty rub out the excess with my magic rub.
With a simple uncomplicated drawing, where getting an exact likeness is not an issue, it is just as easy to draw straight on the paper. I like not being a slave to the image I'm looking at. It's more fun.

[marylka]

Renee
That is it exactly you are transferring your drawing to the watercolor paper that is not cheating, it's the same as using graphite transfer paper to trace it on except you don't have the added worry of too much of it being left behind on your paper I will post that article in an artist magazine when i get back from class
marylka

[Maylon]

Thanks Marylka and Renee for explaining it so well to me, I think what confused me was the way it was standing. I do all my drawing on the paper I am going to paint on, and I do rub out a lot to get it right, have always done it that way, and have never found it affected the painting, but then I would not know would I, if it is the only way I have ever done it. The drawing of Imogen was difficult , I just measured everything a million times and rubbed out a lot. I think it could be a good idea for portraits.

Poppycat that is excellent, your granddaughter is really good. I also paint with my granddaughter, she is also artistic.
.

[marylka]

This is the article about transferring images never figured to use photo was frowned upon
Maylon rubbing out on the water color paper is abrasing to the surface kneadable erasers should be used with caution they contains oils that can effect the water colors.

Lovely work from your Grand daughter Patricia I often paint with my 2 grandsons they love to see the colors flow, what i do is write out their name with water on the brush then to look on the side where the water can be seen, then let them apply the pigment to that , they are in awe when the colors blend and merge, and the name becomes visible.They think it's magical 

I had to adjust an image they are out of order I found it a great article.
Marylka

[Renee]

Renee
That is it exactly you are transferring your drawing to the watercolor paper that is not cheating, it's the same as using graphite transfer paper to trace it on except you don't have the added worry of too much of it being left behind on your paper I will post that article in an artist magazine when i get back from class
marylka

Yes, I know it is not cheating to do a transfer. But explain that to my husband! Men! Oh well. I will talk him into it.