As an aspiring artist, I have to force myself to spend time learning new techniques and tools to become a better artist. When drawing and painting portraits, I have explored and had some success with the grid method. The grid method of dividing a reference photo into small increments, is an excellent way of training your eye to see shapes. It really does teach you to create an accurate line drawing, to see everything as small, interlocking pieces. It’s known for its high level of accuracy and perspective, but it can be very time consuming and is useless with a live model.
Another tool or method available for painting or drawing people is the use of a projector. For some time in the art community the use of a projector is considered to be taboo. Many feel that using a projector is a form of cheating, and by using it you are no longer drawing. I have tried to use a projector for art in the past and believe me it is not as easy as you might think. You still have to know how to draw to use a projector well. Without some skill in drawing, your drawing will not be accurate or make sense. Many professors online suggest using a projector as a tool to help train your eye and makes your freehand drawing much better over time.
The use of projectors in art is not anything new. Norman Rockwell relied heavily on a projector to create his masterpieces. Because of that, some folks in the art field say that he isn’t to be considered a true artist. I cannot agree with that. His work has been considered to be brilliant by many scholars He was able to manipulate multiple photographs; sometimes using more than 50 photos in one piece. Without the projector, his compositions wouldn’t be nearly as accurate as they were, for he could arrange them and visualize them in the piece before drawing them in.
A wonderful book by David Hockney, titled Secret Knowledge: Rediscovering the Lost Techniques of the Old Masters, explains how they did it. It confirms the use of optical tools to gain perspective and realism. It literally debunks the myth that everything back then was done freehand, and shows how foreshortening was improved through the use of projections.
You have to decide as an artist whether a method or tool is right for you. If you can’t get over the feeling that it’s cheating, then I wouldn’t recommend using the projector. For me, anything that can make me a better artist I’m all for it. Share your thoughts on Projectors for artist below, I always like to hear other people’s perspectives.
