For many artists, tracing is a regular part of their creative day.
Cartoonists need to trace images for continuity.
Maybe you do you preliminary sketches on layout paper.
Now you need to get the design on your painting surface. Perhaps you sketch and doodle on anything available and have some great designs on napkins, receipts or notebook paper. Alternatively, you may wish to create a repeated pattern.
Using a light box is a quick and easy way to get your composition on paper. You’ll spend less time transferring your design and have more time to complete your latest masterpiece.
LED Tracing Light Table
XP-Pen 18″ LED Tracing Light Table ASIN: B019F7V1DI
This LED light table is a perfect way to transfer your drawings. Sure, you can tape your design to a window and copy it onto your support. However, what if you do your artwork at night? Also, standing at a window and tracing in a vertical position isn’t very comfortable. If you have a complex drawing, you may be stuck there for a long time.
Artists also complain that a light box is an expensive investment. They also claim they can build one with a cardboard box, a light bulb and a piece of glass. Now, there’s an an easy and inexpensive alternative.
XP-Pen has developed a light box that’s not only inexpensive but also lightweight and portable. This light box is the solution artists have searched for – an easy-to-use tracing table that’s affordable and practical.
Tell Me More!
This 14″ x 10.4″ x 0.27″ light box uses an LED light source that is good for probably 10,000 hours, so you never need to worry about replacing a bulb. LED lighting also doesn’t produce heat, so the unit remains cool no matter how long you use it.
The unit measures 14.17″ x 10.4″ x 0.27″ with an active work surface of 12.4″ x 8.6″. If you are working with a larger sketch or composition, you’ll need to divide it into sections to transfer it.
The working surface of the box is made of high-quality acrylic. The border of the work surface is marked into centimeters for easy measurements. The unit has an adjustable screen that varies the brightness from light to dark with a push of a button. The unit holds the last light adjustment in memory.
The XP-Pen Light Table uses the included USB cable for power, so you can attach it to your computer or plug it into an electrical outlet using the USB charger that’s included in the package. It also comes with clips to hold your papers in place and a user’s manual. XP-Pen offers a 15-month warranty and claims the units have an approximate 60,000-hour lifespan.
Don’t Be Confused By The USB Connector
Although this light box connects to your computer, it does not interface with your computer. It merely uses the computer as a power source. You cannot transfer images to or from the light box. Do not confuse this device with a drawing tablet that works with your computer’s software.
It’s just a light box that happens to use a USB power cord for electricity. Think ‘old school’ technology.
Try It – You’ll Like It
You can use a light table to try-out and alter the positions of compositional elements before finalizing a drawing. You can make copies of design elements you want to use multiple times and make swift work of copying the stance of a figure or the outline of a complex image. It also works great for copying lettering, calligraphy or other signage you want to include in a painting.
If you’ve ever bemoaned the time wasted in trying to recreate a design you’ve sketched out or need to copy an image taken from a photo, this little device is a great addition to your box of tricks. Once you’ve become accustomed to using a light box, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one.
