art instruction and tutorials artist supplies education
art instruction and tutorials artist supplies education

Using Light Boxes and Tables for Art

Light boxes and light tables are traditionally associated with looking at film, slides, transparencies, and other light-sensitive mediums, but they are an amazing tool for other art mediums as well! Explore the possibilities of using a light box in your artistic process, and get inspired by reading through a few of the more mainstream artistic uses we talk about here.

Transfers
Transferring a drawing from one medium to another is a very common use of a light table, and for good reason! Lit tables make tracing a snap: they ensure better accuracy, better detail, and exact proportions, so if you are looking to use a favorite drawing, design, illustration, or other visual, consider using a light box to make the transfer seamless.

Typography
Lettering and calligraphy are beautiful forms of art, so why not use them in your own work? You can achieve a beautiful hand-drawn look to your typography by using a light box behind your guide. Hand drawn, but closer to exact spacing and size. When it comes to lettering, consistency is the key to a successful reproduction.

Stencils
We have already established what a great tool light tables are for reproduction, and that of course applies to stenciling as well. The more layers that a particular stencil has, the easier it is to line up the various layers, reproduce the stencils accurately, and achieve a much higher level of precision. Also, once you create a stencil, use the light box for every application to almost any medium!

Animation
Animators have long used light boxes to see the various stages of a animated sequence coming together, and you can do the same! Use a light tables to make great flip book art, or use it to maintain consistency with any character you dream up!