Light Table

[Magliano]

Hi Everybody!

I'm thinking about building a Light Table, maybe will help me finalizing some sketches and everything.
How many of you have a light table?
You guys, whose own a light table can post here any pictures of yours? i'm looking for any ideias...
reviews of your light tables would be helpful to, critics are welcome.

Thanks!
Magliano

[97_sho]

i hope you dont mind me asking wtf a light table is

[Magliano]

Hehehehe no...

The Light Table is...a Table with Lights...They are know as Light Box.

This.

But this is a big one. Over the light table you can redraw a sketch.
You put the final paper over the sketch and clean the lines.

[GirlBear]

is thats for tracing??

[lemorris]

lol

I use my light table almost religiously.

After I blow up a sketch I'll tape it to the light table and transfer my image to a clean sheet of paper. Then I'll transfer that image to another sheet. Being sure to fix stuff between each transfer. When all is said and done you get a great drawing that maintains the character of your loose sketch.

Transferring is a method employeed by illustrators for centuries. Transferring via Artograph is the "Illustrators" secret. shhhhhhhh don't tell them I told you.

Tracing is a valued skill in the illustration world. One which we would all benefit from knowing well.

Masters copied works by masters to become masters.

My light table has 4 16" lights in 2 banks and is just a square box with an edge cut to drop in a piece of glass. I have had it for 16 years and it's fabulous.

It's the tool that enables me to take a rough sketch to clean toon.

-Lemorris

p.s. I'll post a pic later...I think I'm gonna draw that Reno.

[69charger426]

i still think its tracing

[lemorris]

It is.

But is tracing my own sketch to clean the lines un-pure?

I mean...it is my drawing...right?

[69charger426]

oh! im sorry i misunderstood your post, when u said "your image" i thought u meant an image you had of what you wanted to draw, not the image you had allready had. no its not as you said "unpure"

[lemorris]

lol

In the world of professional illustration it goes for reference too. The light table is an invaluable tool. No more important than an eraser...but no less either.

Many auto illustration professionals suggest them.

Just FYI

p.s. Like Bonz will tell you. If you aren't good at drawing what you see you won't be good at tracing anyway. Imitation is a valid learning method.

[69charger426]

id like to think of myself as a good drawer, i really need 2 get some pics up on her soon, but anyways about the light table i never really herd of 1 b4

[Magliano]

Thanks Lemorris!
You explained all!

I used the the window tip (using it as a light table) but is hard to draw in 90 degrees, and my arms hurts after a few minutes hehehe

And, men...Artograph projectors are an elephant!! I prefer to use a light box, I mean, it's probably the same result. I saw a picture of it few days ago but didn't know that was an Artograph.

Thanks!
Bye
Magliano

[GirlBear]

i understand now. thanx lemorris

[Mshkttck]

Usually I make a sketch, trace it, add some details, and then trace it again, so I have 3 drawings, with one final piece.

I just use a window too, it just doesn't seem to be worth the money IMO

[grantrl78]

I think tracing your own stuff is the best way to really work out the problems in a drawing without overworking it.
It is about planning to me.
I also got a light box. It was when I thought I wanted to be an animator.
But it gets very little use nowadaze. Tracing in photoshop,
illustrator and painter is alot better btw. Just gotta get used to not looking at your hand when you draw.




"Light Tracer"
It cost 100 bucks. Has a flourescent bulb so it doesn't get hot.
But it has these plastic nubs on the drawing surface that get in the way bad.
They hold on the plexiglass top. Bad design.

[challe]

Freehand drawing is much better .. Cause you feel the proudness you cant feel with tracing !
But anyway to start drawing is okey ,, Its just so Fun !

Challe /