A camera lucida can't teach you how to choose what to put in or leave out of a drawing or painting, nor what kind of marks to put down. But, by eliminating the need to measure while you're drawing to get the perspective accurate, it will increase the rate at which you work and free you up to experiment more as you haven't invested so much time in one picture. The two pen figure studies above were both done in five minutes (they're done on A2 paper).
How Do I Make Something Bigger or Smaller?
There isn't a 'zoom' control on a camera lucida; you need to move closer towards your subject or further away.
How Do I Copy a Photograph Using a Camera Lucida?
Screw the two brackets provided onto the end of the drawing board then prop up the piece of card against this. Attach your photo to the card and then proceed as for any other subject except that you could place the drawing board flat on a table if you wish.
Tips for Using a Camera Lucida
- Mark a few key points in your subject and check regularly to ensure that these are still aligned.
- Draw with something that works smoothly; if you work too vigorously you work, the arm holding the 'eyepiece' will wobble.
- If you're seeing an unwanted reflection of something directly above you, eliminate this by rotating the 'eyepiece' slightly.
- If this doesn't work, try attaching a small piece of black card to the top so it sticks out over the mirror.
