
I mentioned using a projector in a previous post (an LCD projector attaches to my laptop and projects an enlarged image of the photo reference onto the panel) - I am relying on that method to save me a lot of time this summer. But I have to admit that honestly, using a projector irritates me. It’s extremely practical in these situations, when your deadline is a little short of comfortable. (Or a lot short…who’s heard of a comfortable deadline anyway?) But I would much rather sit for hours and fiddle with a drawing, working out the perspective and forms for myself. Projecting feels like cheating, even though it’s smart and necessary.
So in order to make myself feel better, and to illustrate that even when you project a photo you still need a lot of skill to finish the painting, I thought I would post some progress pictures! Now you can see what a projection actually provides (a few hints and guidelines) and how much the painter brings to it. Posting images of a painting when it’s so far from looking good is a little bit like standing in your underwear in the middle of a grocery store… but here goes!
At this very moment a thunderstorm has darkened my studio to the point where I had to stop painting. Which is a shame since I was really in a groove. Looking at this photo reminded me of where I started today and how much progress I made! Finally! For some reason the pottery was really challenging me, I can see plenty of errors in this photograph. Which brings me back to the point of this post.

The brown line drawing on the left is what I get after I use the projector. The crocks on the right represent stage 3, after I’ve layered in the ground color, and added a good range of values. In the background are wild slashes of paint that I applied while I was thinking about the walls - this would be stage 2, roughing in. Using this method, the reference is constantly re-observed. I’m always making corrections and adjustments. In fact, I would say that because of all the layers placed over the original drawing, the projector is more of a compositional tool then a drawing tool… thus my perspective errors! I turn on the projector and I can see where every element of the painting is going to go before I put a speck of paint on the board. Very handy.
…When I’ve had occasion to use a projector in the past, I remember thinking that it was more like an archaeological dig then a paint by number (which I know is what most people think when I tell that’s how I started a painting). The drawing provides obscure clues, often unrecognizable.You have to constantly refer to the photos in order to figure out what you’re painting and make corrections.
Now, if you are someone that has very little experience painting and you’re interested in creating a mural in your home, this method can work for you. Just use a very simple photo, ideally a cartoon or graphic image and your projection will be MUCH more helpful to you. If you try it, let me know how it works!
This coming Sunday I’ll be working on this panel at the Village Inn in Childs, NY. Sometime next week I’ll post some more progress photos and we can do a comparison.