Opaque Projector For Transfering Patterns?

[chriscraft]

Some people think that using a projector as an art tool is considered cheating or not really drawing at all. Since one is not taking the time to layout your design by hand and making this a speed way of producing art. I guess it all depends on how one uses this tool. I for one use it as a guide and don't always follow and copy every line. That was the way I used my projector when I used to airbrush. I was never taught how to properly use this tool. Well, I was never really taught how to use an airbrush or pencil, pen, paint brush, pastels, charcoals, prismacolors, acrylics and even this swivel knife. I just picked them up one day and started doing it.

Tools are designed to save you time and making you get to the fun part faster. Chris

Edited March 8, 2015 by chriscraft

[chriscraft]

okay billybopp, this was a quick demonstration on using an opaque projector. Originally I was just going to dye and antique this test piece but decided to add color instead. I had applied more cuts for the purpose of using the antique paste on this test piece than if I had planned ahead to just paint. I only had access to my paint brushes so that's what I used to apply the Angelus acrylic leather paint. I know I have some nice illustration quality airbrushes stored away that I need to find to blend and fade colors easier than just using a paint brush. It worked out okay for this test but could have been better with the right tools. This demo also shows you that one needs to plan your cuts ahead as too many may be a bit too much. But that's another chapter in laying out your design for tooling.

I still need to have a metal plate welded to my bracket so I can finish my over head mounting plate.

Edited March 10, 2015 by chriscraft

[chriscraft]

As you can see, when using a projector as a tool, one doesn't have to copy every line. If you compare my finished example you can see that I changed the background layout and added some other detail to the yellow fin tuna design originally taken from the beer label. This is how I use the projector and still have artistic freedom to create vs. copy. Chris

[PL01]

I'm IMPRESSED, excellent idea

[billybopp]

That really looks awesome, Chriscraft! Thanks for the demo. You've really come across a good idea.

I don't think using tools as these is cheating at all. There is some evidence that Vermeer, and other renaissance artists used camera obscura to draft their works before painting. I say, good enough for the old masters, good enough for us too!

Bill

[chriscraft]

I had never opened my projector before today. It needed to be opened as I was not using the correct factory table top mount and had to drill out a few mounting holes. I also took this time to clean the cob webs out and dust that had accumulated over the years.

[chriscraft]

This color photo projector in nothing more than a box, lights and a mirror. This unit has a built in fan to help cool of heat the 500 watt bulbs produce. I like the way this .250 aluminum plate worked out as a mounting bracket.

[chriscraft]

This will now be a great addition to my small leather work shop. Here you can see the enlarged hand drawn lettering fit to the project. I can now draw lettering and original designs on my drafting table and transfer them in a smaller or larger scale faster than before.

[chriscraft]

I took a photo of a trout from a fishing magazine and enlarged it to 10" wide, also reduced it to 4" wide. My table top to celling mounted projector height can scale images anywhere in between 4"-10" to fit my leather projects like a wallet or a book/tablet cover. If I need a smaller size pattern then I will need to use a smaller size image. What I really like about this projector set up is I can hand draw designs in a small comfortable size on paper and then scale them smaller or larger on my leather project.

The cartoon of the red Land Rover D90 is my original drawing that I made in 2006. This Red truck was drawn 5 inches wide using prismacolors and I was now able to project the image and scale it to fit the larger size illustration board. This same method will be used when transferring designs onto my leather projects.

[chriscraft]

I was showing one of my closest friends my new projector set up. He doesn't not draw or produce any art. He has always known me as a freehand artist. He began to tell me that he has always been amazed at my fine motor function and hand eye coordination. Seen me create designs out of memory and work from photographs to produce photo realistic paintings. I think he was disappointed in some way that I was excited about my new setup. Even though I took time to explain, I knew inside he was not convinced. So I added, in all the years you have known me, how many items have you purchased from me? The answer was, none. So in the end, it doesn't change anything between us.

I have never considered myself true artist. I have produced thousands of freehand drawings that many consider to be works of art. But I've never been paid an artist salary for any art that I've produced. Tracing your own art or a pattern layout is an art form. It takes skill to do it correctly and even more skill to master the use of a pencil or in our world, a swivel knife. I don't think someone would pay us more for our hand tooled leatherwork art if we were to just freehand cut designs without the use of guides such as templates or patterns. If that we're the difference between a $100 item vs. a $1000 leather product then sign me up. I would also hand make all the tools to go along with being a purist. Till that day comes ill just be known as building crafts and be paid craft fees. Chris