I work at my desk where I also have my computer with a massive keyboard. Drawing space is restricted, especially when I have my coloured pencils spread around. Usually I actually have to put a couple of trays on top of the keyboard and that's a hassle if I need to type something. Plus that, being a flat desk it's not exactly conducive to good posture or proper view angles. I need a drawing board...but since architects and designers no longer use them (everything is computerised these days) and since there really are so few pencil artists here I have been unable to find one.

But... I have a friend who is very handy with all sorts of things be it masonry, plumbing or carpentry - he's a wizard. I asked him if he could build me a drawing board. He said it shouldn't be a problem. So we were discussing what sort of wood he could use to make a very even top. I also asked whether he could have some sort of spotlighting attached to it and he said that wouldn't be a problem either.

And then I got an idea. Could he make it in the shape of an old school desk and could he use frosted glass instead of wood for the "board" itself and then fit some lighting beneath the glass which would make it double up as a lightbox? He said he would design something and look around for materials and get back to me.

What do you all think - would it work. And while we're at it... would 24x18 be big enough as a surface?

wow fantastic idea rose. let me know how it works and how to do it. my hubby is pretty handy with things like that too so i am sure he could build me one too. cool.
Lori

Rose, what you are attempting is great. Plexiglass would be a good surface for your drawing board/light box. That is not an unusual type arrangement. Draftsmen still do use drafting tables along with their computers. I know, my son does that for a living. Of course I know the difficulty of purchasing things where you live.....it does make it a challenge. Just be sure that the light source doesn't get too hot for the table so it doesn't start a fire! The bulb wattage should be low and should not be used unless you are tracing as it could melt your wax color pencils. Please keep these things in mind for safety's sake.

The size of your table will depend on what size projects you work on. My drafting table is approx. 3 x 4 feet. But I rarely use it. Mostly I use a flat table and will prop my drawing board up when needed. I have a small light box 9x12 inches that sits on a plastic roll around cart with drawers in it.

I know you probably don't know what Miami Ink is but they have similar drafting tables in their tattoo shop. Just for you USA TV watchers.

Rose,
My husband installs glass for a living and I asked him if he could get me a piece of glass for a drawingboad for the same reasons (lightbox)...He brought home a rather large piece of glass. If you should use glass make certain that it is tempered. That way if is should get broken it will break safely!!!! I taped the edges of mine so that it would be less vulnerable. Tempered glass can take a direct hit and not break, however if the edges are hit it can shatter.

Laura

Thats a great idea rose ....for those who like the light box idea .. its perfect .

Wouldn't you want frosted glass for a light box?
All of the light boxes I've seen have white translucent glass or plastic, rather than clear.

Plexiglass or lexan might be safer from a breakage potential angle, too.

Yes naturally Darus - I was thinking of frosted glass.

Thanks all for your ideas.. and don't worry Joanie. The light inside the "box" will only be used when I need to trace something, particularly when working with colour. Otherwise the lighting used will be either the spotlighting on the board itself or some other source if that is not possible.

That said I should be running after Mike to see if he has started on his design at least! That man is brilliant but he can be very slippery!

Oh, and if you use fluorescent lighting, heat won't be as much of a problem.

Yes, its a good idea but what do you mean there aren't any drawing boards around anymore? A lot of architects still use them especially in education. It shouldn't be that hard to find one.

ok I found this one on Dickblicks.com it can be made with a wooden frame and the hardware ordered from rockeller(sp) online. the light slides up under it when used for a light box and then is put away when done. You can make the hardware slide on with clips and removable for the times ya wanna curl up on the couch and draw. I am designing myself one now for future construction. gonna be awesome!

Pammy - so glad to see you back all safe and sound!

Thanks for posting that pic. It proves what I always say - if I can think of it than it can be done (or already has been!) - Ok, so now I'm thinking a couple of million dollars!

I've printed out the pic and will be showing it to Mike. This is already a good start. If he can make it into the top a of free standing table it would be even better!!

Drafting tables are still relatively easy to come by, as long as you don't mind light steel framed units.
Amazon.com has a number of fair sized boards that can be ordered from around $100. and then there is always ebay.

Those beautiful old, solid oak, adjustable, 4'x5' borco covered ones are a little harder to find ( i miss my old ones ). When I was in college and needed a drafting table I was able to buy one real cheap at a government surplus sale. Schools, government offices, architectural offices, etc.. at lot of times have tables kicking around. The dilemma is that they are too good to throw away but aren't used (*except to support lots and lots of filing that I don't want to do)... from experience in an architectural office.

That's what I thought too Aviation. So the first thing I did was talk about it to my brother who is an architect. I thought he might be able to point me in the right direction. But his reaction was: Good heavens! a drawing board?! I haven't used one of those in at least 20 years! He told me not even students use them these days and he just couldn't think of any architect's office that might still have one around.

That said, Mike came round with his design yesterday. He's going to make me one that looks like an old school desk so the top will be hinged to provide storage space beneath (apart from the light for the light box). He might also put in a drawer beneath that. And it will have it's own lighting on top. It's going to be a free standing table on castors so I can put it away when I'm not using it.

More updates as I have them.

That sounds awesome - I want!

I have to use a drawing board quite a lot at college. Most of our work is computerised, but we still spend 6 hours or so a week at our drawing boards. I'm thinking of getting one for home actually

WOW, just saw this post...
I am a draftsperson by trade, and also have built houses for 15 years...so am no stranger to working with my hands...
I started checking out prices of light tables, and let me tell you, they are EXPENSIVE...so I thought I would whip something up myself...so I sat down, designed the table, and went looking...
found an old drafting table in a yardsale for 5 bucks...
went to Home Depot and bought the rest of my fixins...such as 1x4 for light box, and refective bottom...4 flourescent lights with daylight bulbs...switch...and glass
built my box, attached my flourescents, wired them, routered out the table top, attached the box to the bottom side, put frosting on side of glass and installed it into the routered recess, attached the table top to the drafting base, and VOILA I had one awesome new table
My glass opening is approx 22 x 30 inches...the table is about 36 x 48...lots of room for CPs and the like...
The light tables I was looking at were approx 16 x 20 and DIDNT come with glass...$1400+, mind u they were the good type, but mine cost me, when complete WITH glass AND table stand...$400
Cheers.
Paul

400 seems like alot of money to me lol ... I mean you did save alot .. I guess I never knew they cost that much .

Kim, check out Dick Blick or one of the online art stores and check their prices on tables....you'd be surprised at how expensive they are.

thats crazy .....for a art table with a light under it .. seems it could be put together cheaper than that .. but it may not look as fancy ..I have never used one ...wondering now how even easy it would be .

On another forum someone posted a pic of her aquarium and joked about it being her light table. After checking out dickblicks.com, I think she had a good idea. I am thinking a picture frame on top of my living room lamp.

That's not as funny an idea as you think Cyn. I have a a monitor filter screen which I don't use. Yesterday I clipped my paper on to it and held it in front of my desk lamp - it worked a treat!! - saved me bags of time instead of blacking the back of my rough sketch with graphite and transferring my drawing that way... I'm getting sick of the procedure.

Kim - the reason I mostly wish to have a lightbox is for my colour drawings. Graphite transfers tend to be a little "dirty" for colour and you can't really risk sketching your drawing straight on to your good paper in colour. It's almost impossible to erase it completely in case of a mistake.

I used to use my glass table top and put a lamp on the floor under it. hahahaha Then my husband took a piece of plexiglass and laid it on top of a wooden empty produce box and attached a small florescent bulb to the side and it worked also. Now I've graduated to a real light box that cost way too much. hahahaha

hey, glass table! Thats a good idea. I'll have to keep that in mind. I have a glass top coffee table...

these are good ideas .... I really need to try one of those .. how far do you take it .. do you trace the whole picture .. and can you see through it really good ? do you trace shades and shadows ect .. ?

Personally I never trace a picture. What I have done so far is do my initial line drawing on cheap paper. When I'm doing a portrait where the likeness is essential I use a grid. In other drawings of still life or whatever I'm more likely to build from basic shapes and refining as Brenda shows in the lessons.

So far what I have done after that is apply a thick layer of graphite to the back of my initial line drawing and trace it on to my good paper. I'm hoping that having a light box will free me of that tedious process.

And this refers only to the basic outline. Again, personally, I transfer nothing else apart from that. I do all the shading straight onto the good paper by closely observing my reference. In a difficult reference I sometimes use the posterizing facility but you really need to be careful with that and never lose sight of the original reference. Very often the computer interprets shades a little oddly and posterizing can through you off completely.

I hope this helps.

I have not tried a light box .. seems you could go very far with one .
now the posterizing .. I love it that you so much for that trick its awsome .. it ghives me a good idea as to where to begine the shading .

I'm just now learning grids and even that seems tedious. I just want to draw NOW!

Rose, I wonder if that tracing paper you can get for patterns at the fabric store would work.. It comes in different colors and works for making patterns on paper or fabric.. Hmmmm I have to learn to draw better before I worry about short cuts or occasional aids. It's hard enough to draw the picture the first time, without even thinking about a transfer for a second one.

Cyn I am very wary of anything that does not erase or lighten up to my satisfaction. I feel unwanted hard lines can ruin a drawing.

Cyn, pattern tracing paper used in sewing is very waxy & leaves a really heavy line. They make special tracing paper for artists in both black & white that does better.

I just want to learn to trace lightly so I don't leave an impressed line! I'm mainly concerned for cp work but it would be helpful for graphite also. I prefer to sketch on cheap paper then transfer it to the good stuff.

J