Beamish
Posts:2
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| 02/17/2007 9:21 AM |
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I project images to canvas to start a painting. I have read in the last issue a response from an artist trashing projecting, as the artist cheating themselves from developing their drawing ablility. I find that I have to draw and redraw with each coat of paint. What was originally projected is covered and just the vague proportions are what's left. The other references to draw backs to projection are ridiculous. Projection is a tool for the Photo Realist. As a working artist I would prefer to go to town in an automobile rather than a horse it is much quicker and the result is the same. I honestly don't know any sucessful artist who work from phots who don't project. I would be hard to be competitive in the market if you tack 4 or 5 more hours on to a paintings time to develop your drawing skills. Is using a grid somehow more acceptable to wasting time?
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grouchness
Posts:3
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| 02/18/2007 8:51 PM |
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| I .would be interested in projecting my photos to paint. I can't be outside to do plein aire. I am disabled and cannot sit or stand fror very long. Even if I was not disabled I think that projecting is not cheating. Norman Rockwell used a projector...among many others. What kind of proIjector do you use and is it terribly expensive? I am new to the site. What an exciting idea for artists tp have a forum!!! Thanks, from old Grouchy |
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rpartin
Posts:427
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| 02/20/2007 8:06 PM |
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| If your primary purpose in creating a painting is to make money, project all you please. If you don't care to learn the most elementary of art forms, that's your choice to make......But don't have the audacity to downplay the efforts of those who enjoy the complete process of creativity....Those who do it because they love doing it. I'll take the horse into town and maybe stop along the way to smell a rose. |
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Ron |
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Muckleskate
Posts:103
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| 02/20/2007 11:29 PM |
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Read David Hockney's book about Carvaggio and peers using the camera obscura to start an artistic revolution. It also answers the question as to why everyone, including the monkeys, were painted as being left handed! Think about it . . . just because you used a tool (like a camera obscura) to make your work faster and easier, thus making a better living than most of the starving artists of that period, didn't mean you could paint like Carvaggio!!! Also remember, that those artists had the fundamental training and the ability to, if they so chose, to paint in the more 'traditional' manner.
Maybe it's like a mathemetician who is doing quantam physics. He has the background, the knowledge and the ability to make all of his calculations manually, but using the computer sure makes his job ever so much more productive.
I guess what I'm trying to say is using a shortcut (like a photo, or projected image) will not make your painting any better if you have not already established a good foundation in art. Nothing will improve your artwork more than practice, practice, practice. Get your drawing skills up to par . . . then look into other means of doing things. Don't listen to what you 'should' or 'shouldn't' be doing. Experiment, have fun. Create a new art movement. |
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Sandy
Signatures Gallery
Brookings Harbor, OR
www.signaturesgallery.com |
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heatherm
Posts:2120
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| 02/21/2007 6:44 PM |
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| I agree with having the drawing skills to start off with. I don't have a projector, but reading this sometimes I could use one. When I am so anxious to get to the "meat" of the painting, when I am impatient to get going after spending days in bed. I wouldn't feel guilty because I know I can do the drawing just fine, this would just be a time saver when I needed one. If I could paint every day I wouldn't consider it, but seeing I am limited in my pockets of painting time this is an interesting thing to consider. Of course it is probably too expensive anyway (sigh). I am still saving up for a camera tripod to get better photos to begin with. |
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Heather
http://www.heatherartist.com |
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Art Nut
Posts:47
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| 03/23/2007 2:12 PM |
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| Where do you draw the line with all this. The moment you have photography that already is modernizing art. Surely if the great masters had a slide projector they wouldv'e used it. I dont care what it takes to get a painting done and I use all modern equipment to rely on. No reason why you should not use Adobe Photoshop to edit your reference photos to improve your visualization. You think those who do Giclee prints don't use computers to correct flaws? I do admit though that projecting an image and tracing it will hinder your drawing skills. When it comes to portraits you want to capture the character of your subject by having him/her sit in front of you. If you project a portrait you may get the accurcay but lose out on the "spirit" of the individual. LCD projectors are great if you can afford one. When I cannot paint outdoors I use it to project a large image on a screen that is way bigger than a photo and this puts me back into the scene as closely as possible to plein air. A 4 X 5 foot projected image on a screen will reveal much more to you than a 6 X 4" photo. That in itself merits the purchase of an LCD projector. The good thing is that many digital cameras take high resolution photos now that you can enlarge the photo on the projector and lose no quality. |
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manuelgarant
Posts:46
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| 03/31/2007 7:04 AM |
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Projecting or not projecting
I don't have a good or bad opinion on that, but I prefer to go directly on the canvas, with drawing or not. Just block-in the basic. For figure for example, I sometime make a kind of ghost with a big brush. I teach that to my students. Also, the first stage of painting is what I prefer: it's full of creative energy.
Check the step by step on my painting " Young woman in still life" With this process, you can make a painting in just a few hours.
A good book on this subject is " 60 minutes to better paintings, sharpen your skills in oil and acrylic" by Graig Nelson in North Light Book collection.
Excuse my poor english.
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www.emmanuelgarant.com |
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snowcat749
Posts:4
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| 05/03/2007 12:02 PM |
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I just purchased one, but have not gotten it yet.
I got it at http://www.jerrysartarama.com/ which after much search and research offers the best prices.
I called the 800 number and asked if they offered any discounts since I was a first time buyer to their site and got 15% off.
The one I ordered is KOPYKAKE 300XK PROJECTOR.
You can even find a cheap one at your local AC Moore for 30 bucks or so but those only project vertically and in the dark. Like you I just want to save the time it requires to draw... I just want to have fun with paint, not trying to be the next Monet here. I don't think it is any different than using tracing paper.
I can post again after I get it and give it a try.
Take care! |
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reisafp
Posts:63
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| 05/17/2007 8:49 AM |
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| Wow, Emmanual! That is a beautiful painting! Just gorgeous! If you had projected it, your painting would have been stiff and frozen. You only get that lovely sense of movement when you actualley draw it out. There is a noticeable difference. |
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www.reisafp11.com |
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rotraut
Posts:4
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| 08/23/2007 4:13 PM |
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| Maybe it is too simple a suggestion, but while I do not use a projector (I am not well versed with a camera) I do help myself by making small sketches - something like 8 by 10 to 10 by 14 - in pen and ink for paintings done from memory. When the balance is good, I partition the sketch into three equal parts vertically and two equal parts horizontally and then cut the sketch up into the six parts. Then I go to the copy-shop and enlarge each piece at the same setting, so that the combined bottom measurements amount to the width I want the painting to be. Tape the pieces together and have what I need to make adjustments if I need to. Original sketches often have something that gets lost in the grid - I haven't bothered with the grid for years. For paintings from memories there are no projectors. |
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galfriday222
Posts:8
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| 08/25/2007 9:46 AM |
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I purchased a projector lately and so far I haven't mastered it. I have it set wrong I guess and its too big of an image, would be OK if I were in to wall murals. Talk about being challenged, I take the book on it!
I think it will be a great help especially painting animals.
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Artist At Work
Posts:2
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| 09/27/2007 9:44 AM |
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Asome painting. I am new to painting and I would like to learn hands on and not cheat by using a projecto.
I have two beautiful granddaughters and I want them to be my subjects. Its all about painting what you
see right. |
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Rick Givens
Posts:29
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| 11/02/2007 12:33 PM |
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To project or not to project...whatever works for you, in my opinion, go with it. That said, one thing in your post caught my eye...your comment about having to redraw your image after putting down a layer of paint. Working in acrylics allows you the option of re-tracing your image between layers, so rather than projecting directly onto canvas, you're ahead to project first onto tracing paper, attach that to your canvas and establish some registration marks, and then transfer using graphite paper. Once you've painted a layer and it's dried, you can lay your tracing paper back over the top using the registration marks and re-transfer any portions that have been covered up.
As for projecting, here's another idea that I posted in another thread: make use of the digital light table you're looking at right now...your computer monitor. By having a piece of acrylic glazing cut at a frameshop to the size of your monitor's outside dimensions, you can tape it over your monitor and literally use the screen as a digital light table. If your photo is from a digital camera, you're in great shape to start. If not, you'll need to have the picture scanned and then copy it onto your computer. Once you have the file, all you need to do in Windows is to right-click on the file and click on "preview". The image will appear on your screen and then you can use the magnifying glass tool to zoom in or out until it's about the right size for your canvas. Tape a piece of tracing paper over your acrylic sheet and trace the image. If your canvas is bigger than your screen, just zoom until the image is about the right size and then use the sliders on the side of the window to move the image up and down or from side to side and trace the image in sections by repositioning your tracing paper.
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rghirardi
Posts:6
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| 11/13/2007 11:18 AM |
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...projecting the image on a wall as a mural.
I've found it easier to simply staple the canvas to a wall and then project the image. I determine the size of the composition and cut a piece of gessoed canvas about 4-inches larger on each side of the intended final dimensions. Then it becomes a matter of adjusting the distance from the lens and the vertical position of the projector. You could project onto tracing paper if you wished and then trace the image onto the canvas.
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DaleSmith
Posts:44
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| 11/13/2007 4:58 PM |
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| My mentor uses a projector, but requires us to also take a weekly life drawing class. If you can't shade, having an outline just makes you look lazy. |
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breed52
Posts:1
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| 11/14/2007 3:54 AM |
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| Thanks for the reading suggestion.As I'm living in the north of Europe it's hard to find reading material in english could you post the Title and publisher of the David Hockney book on Caravaggio and possibly the ISBN number. I'm trying to rebuild my library. RickTipton— |
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Anthony88
Posts:1
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| 11/17/2007 11:07 AM |
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| I have recently purchased a projector but have yet to try using it. I feel that if you have the tools to create then by all means go for it. I myself have drawn free hand and draw what i see ever since the 5th ot 6th grade. I am now taking art classes in college even though i have some experience. So I think artist can do whatever it takes to be the most creative they can be. I think it's about learning, problem solving,experimenting, creativity, encouragement and practice practice practice! |
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Paintedpony57
Posts:27
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| 11/17/2007 6:47 PM |
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i Confess (true confessions here)! Guilty as charged. I have also used graphite with an enlargement. Site size drawing is hard to do with a moving subject like a horse! If God did not want us to cheat he would not have invented cameras! LOL Seriously though, I have always admired plein aire artsits' ability to "capture the moment" on canvas.
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DEBBIE |
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terlen
Posts:1
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| 11/19/2007 7:56 AM |
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| Is anyone aware of a projector that will accomodate digital media such as the card from a digital camera or a cd or - for that matter - a direct wire from a computer? |
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erekson
Posts:5
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| 12/05/2007 2:34 PM |
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Data pojectors will project a number of different sources. Directly from your computer,vcr, dvd. They can be quite pricey but are getting more reasonable. You may be able to find a used one for a pretty good price. Check on ebay for Data projectors. |
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