Please, what's the best Opaque Projector out there for a portrait artistst?

Question

I'm looking for one that doesn't require a darkroom, lilke the MC 250 does; one that reproduces the sharpest image details.

Answer 1

Don't use that stuff, holy mackrel, it gives distortion and is alot harder on your eyes and takes much more time,, it you need some type of aid in painting portraits use a grid, Rembrandt and a whole bunch of other peaple used/use it and it works. You can use it with the person in front of you or from a photograph.

Answer 2

actually Rembrandt used a lightbox projection system to project his images onto the substrate. A series of lenses that pinholed the image into a dark room or box this is why a lot of his portraits are mirrored images ie button seams are reversed and the illumination of the subject is over valued. The film Tims Vermeer touches on the technique a bit not specifically Rembrandt but a similar process

Answer 3

Given the cost of "art" projectors, I would recommend using a slide projector providing you can convert the photo you wish to project into a slide. (There are online stores that will do this via email submission and mail return for little cost). Old 35mm slide projectors can be bought for next to nothing...try eBay or yard sales...and many have zoom lenses...and all are very bright compared to opaque projectors. I have one of the best art projectors and quite frankly prefer the 35mm.

Answer 4

Find an auction house that specializes in cameras and other projectors (Opaque and otherwise) and get lucky!
Perhaps a deassessed projector from your local school system.
Artograph or any other name works well.
CLARITY depends on ambient darkness.
Otherwise (like any thing else) add a brighter bulb.

Answer 5

If you are a portrait artist, what do you need an opaque projector for? In my educational background I don't recall Rembrandt using one. Or did I miss something?

Answer 6

What would you need this projector for if you're doing original portraits? Are you tracing the outline from a photo on canvas? That seems like a pretty good idea and it's been used many times.

Can you give us an idea what your needs are?

Answer 7

Artograph makes some good projectors.

But it wouldn't hurt you any to learn some anatomy and drawing skills as well. That's all I've ever used for 30+ years. Painting from real life helps you infuse the model's personality into the portrait.