DIY Lightbox Ideas for Tracing

Here are some ideas on how to make your own lightbox at home!
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LINKS AT END OF VIDEO:
Art video: • CHEAP ART SUPPLY CHALL...
Vlog: • TRYING TO WORK
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Camera: Canon Powershot G7X
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro
Camera Setup: • My Camera Setup
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[@madelinecrandall2883]

I never had a lightbox so I learned this technique called "turn off your lights and hold your paper against the window thus killing your back and shoulders while balancing mini-blinds in your as the sun blinds you"

[@AnoushaSpeaks]

SAME

[@katzwei_]

I just did it with my laptop or my tab

[@aalihte3378]

lol....yuuuuup

[@anbu8288]

Hahaha i use my phone flashlight

[@kaffeekuchen1929]

#oldskool

[@Sakuems]

For years, i've used my window an sunlight :) which hurts shoulder and wrists lol ! but i did a lot of my art with that before buying a light box :)

[@popcornsunshine6376]

I do that too

[@annemarteb2536]

+Sakuems Me too

[@straydogsrock]

i've done that, too! lol

[@Sanrio_v]

+Sakuems Ah! I did that when I was super young (:

[@crybabyatthetwentyneholo4196]

omg xD same. it always hurt my shoulder! 😂

[@BayleeJae]

You can also use your phone's flashlight feature as a light! For the tablet method, you will need a smudge guard to prevent your hand from moving the picture around. You could wear a thin glove, or put a small piece of fabric, like a sock, under your palm. You can also zoom in on the image so that it stays white when your palm moves the image around.

[@yulonsth]

+Baylee Jae or just set a plain white photo as lock screen??? and set it so it won't turn off in two seconds????? im not sure if that would actually work because i haven't tried it yet but i guess that could be one of the solutions????

[@rosegordon03]

+Baylee Jae would seran wrap work

[@citroken]

+rubyyyywoosh That's a good idea! But for me it would probably still keep swiping so it would ask for the passcode and whenever that happens my ipad goes a bit darker :(

[@yulonsth]

ahh that's not so good. sorry it didn't really help...

[@TheKsa2050]

For apple iPad you can use guide access to stop the picture from moving

[@BayleeJae]

Have any other ideas on how to make a quick & easy lightbox? Share it below!

[@sarahbeebe7043]

Hello :3

[@littlegeorgiagal]

If you live somewhere sunny and don't mind drawing vertically, you can use a window and cheap tape that won't mess up the paper

[@kelsey4261]

Hi :)

[@Cosmicvenu5]

Yeah I use my laptop screen as a light box it helps as you can adjust the brightness 🐎 and I love your artwork 😀

[@catherinedavidson2982]

+Baylee Jae A phone could work for small drawings

[@ginakillingbeck910]

my old tablet broke and it was just a white screen so it worked great!

[@ihavetolaugh9195]

😂😂😂😂

[@DilaVardarli]

Well , that is so AWSOME! 😂

[@shinae4853]

😂

[@laven_sir760]

Recycling is great, no?

[@aryanndacquel1452]

😂😂

[@piasb7407]

That feeling when you wanna use your computer as a lightbox, but then you remember you have a touch screen computer...

[@misslaura1681]

PIA SB Same ! so anoyin 😂

[@SpiritGear]

You can disable the touchscreen

[@fairylights3064]

Tablets are controlled by the touch, am I correct? Therefore, put a glass/non-flexible glass sheet on top of it and it would still work

[@sami-id7rn]

Catlady 998 lol I wish I had touchscreen laptop but j have used my laptop as a light box

[@aychill8506]

Pia B I have one too (touchscreen laptop) and I can disconnect the screen from the keyboard so it makes a great lightbox! You just have to go to settings (for windows) and turn off the touchscreen AI

[@vincepellejera4435]

My drawing desk is glass so I just put some lights where the keyboard should be😂 works perfectly

[@BayleeJae]

Nice!!

[@CielPhantomhivexSebastian]

Same here!

[@tristopher5183]

Ditto

[@myangelbaby3021]

vince thanks you got better ideas than this ^^

[@giaonguyen3799]

I wish I could have your desk 👍👏😔

[@WeirdEldy]

the coffee table in my living room has a glass top, and it also has drawers for you to put decorative stuff inside so you'll be able to see them through the glass top. so I put a strong flashlight in the drawer and sketch on top of the glass. very handy!

[@justasmltwngir1732]

nice!

[@izoraiza7169]

My art teacher has a table meant for artist to trace their own work at in her classroom... It's expensive though...

[@axu1529]

Fell asleep watching this, woke up and looked at my screen. Screamed my head off cause at 8:43 it looks like there's a giant spider from the umbrella light fixture. Baylee you sure know how to wake me up well.... XD

[@jennyoo9672]

haha 😂

[@emxlyxsagxner6619]

+Alice Xu lol

[@TeqhZem]

It does!

[@shinae4853]

Omg I just noticed and I have arachnophobia and got the chills 😂😂😂

[@sami-id7rn]

Alice Xu it does wow the things you realize in your awakens

[@DoodleDrawArt]

When I use a picture frame as a light box, I angle it like a drafting desk so i only have to prop up the back!

[@Craftsworldsocial]

yeah but they make light boxes that are for kids that probably work better and be the same price as a frame and lights -- i know crayola has a good one - its like 20$

[@lplache]

y does this have only 7 likes

[@sueallen952]

Light box's are only £10 on Amazon, three light settings, super slim, use with phone charger, I use mine all the time

[@mimked]

The DIY solution only works if the person already has these resources laying around. If one has to buy supplies for the DIY, then they'd be better off buying a light box altogether. I've noticed there are some decent deals on Ebay ($15 or less for a lightbox).

[@yeah2853]

What's yours called? I can only find one for £30-£40?!

[@joannenguyen9301]

I have used the frame method and I bought my frames at the dollar tree where they sell them for $1. and for lighting, I used my phone's flashlight.

[@midnightprowler7519]

I use a clear plastick clipboard with my iPad as a light sours And the clipboard has a clip so your paper wont move around :)

[@oskieemmy02]

OMG TY SO MUCH THAT IS AN AMZONG IDEA

[@sami-id7rn]

Phatlai Ku and also the clipboard would help so the tablet doesn't turn off or do something

[@sincerelycinnamonroll5567]

Phatlai Ku thank you! I was scared to put my drawing right on the screen 😂

[@valqyrie4497]

Sincerely Cinnamon Roll you’re smart, because the screen can be ruined if you use pencil on it.

[@AjRules]

I know you probably wont see this, you inspired me to start drawing again! Now I draw everyday and im getting better at hands! Thank you so much

[@cmrescapefromstress]

I was about to spend a lot of money making a lightbox. Thank you. I hope this works as well as it seems it will. My daughter loves tracing, so I know it should work great for her. I need it for my Cricut projects, so we will see how well it works for me. Thank you again!!

[@evebroadbent7125]

I use a window or computer screen when it's dark. This is a really creative video idea, and super helpful!

[@AnoushaSpeaks]

glad i wasn't the only one xD

[@hollyvan2741]

Literally watched this on my tablet to find out how to get a light box!! *facepalm*

[@carliejai569]

Same! 😂

[@yasminriaz4581]

Holly Van same😂😂

[@artstudio1019]

I wanted to watch it on my tablet but I keep forgetting I don't have wifi. 😂

[@a4di256]

Art Studio 101 then how did you write this comment

[@artstudio1019]

+GamingAR - Minecraft I watched the video on my phone.

[@jbn9029]

Thank you. I was imagining such a complicated process but you made this so easy!!

[@rollingpoly]

You could try using a Big old Shoebox for the Picture Frame one cause then you could put the lights inside the box and put the frame over it ^^ Love the ideas ^^

[@Ucceah]

for all those who are on a budget, but crafty: it's not too difficult, to extract the backlight unit and inverter board form an old/broken tft monitor (not form laptops) and hook it up to a 12v power supply. more often than not the backlights are still okay, and they are _very_ bright and even. usually they have an "enable" pin, that needs to be connected to +12V, to get them to light up. basic electronics and soldering skills highly recomended, though.

[@adamrenshaw]

I used to use a picture frame, with mini pringles tubs under each corner which you can get really cheap and they're a good snack :p. I used my torch from my phone and that worked a treat until the glass smashed :(

[@ariotea]

Do a video on how to decide what to draw/ get over artists' block

[@dregernbern4518]

Thank you!!! I was trying to think of what to do and this video made retracing my drawing so much easier! I tend to go ham with the pencil and do the final outline in pen but coloring still doesn't get rid of those pesky pencil tracks

[@KayBeast]

That picture frame idea is great, I'm gonna have to try that out. I remember seeing somewhere online, that someone did something similar, and basically cut the top of a thick cardboard box to form a stand for their frame and then stuck the lights inside to make a little table thing too

[@tharchandran3709]

These are some really great ideas! I've just bought myself some materials to craft my own lightbox, like a sheet of perspex, a slab of plywood, and two thin boards to prop my perspex. I was thinking of using disposable torchlights at first but after seeing your video, I got the idea to use my phone's flashlight feature instead. It's way, way brighter!

[@TheOneHoboDude]

This is really helpful! I always needed a light box but never found one so this is great!

[@yeeterbone8020]

Hey Baylee! i am an aspiring artist and i used these techniques to make my own light box. i used books to prop up the picture frame and i put a tablet under the picture frame for light. and i did not need paper under the frame because i have a white desk. Thank you for giving me a few ideas for a nice cheap light box!

[@debbiefloss99]

Your idea for the iPad with white screen app was brilliant I used it yesterday and it worked perfectly even with watercolour paper! Great tip 🙂

[@anyajohnson6749]

I pressed the like button before I watched the video

[@mindymulligan2397]

Lol I thought I was the only one! XD

[@nori-nn3tw]

Me too.I LIKED IT BEFORE I EVEN WATCHED IT

[@estevanplaysgames9907]

Me2

[@kennedycormack6986]

+Ellie Stardust Lol

[@frozensisters7045]

Dear Baylee I have all ways liked your drawings I like to draw to hut I am not very good. I can't draw hands . You inspire me to draw every time i watch your videos

[@everythingisnand]

This is so genius! Artist engineering at its finest! Perfect for teens starting out or us hobbyist. If I had had this video when I was 14, WOW! Pity that I never knew about light boxes until Senior high XD

[@rosellaraven2222]

Oh my gosh this helps so much! Sometimes I can’t leave the house to just go buy a cheap light box and I need to get this idea out of my head before I forget it so these techniques of things just laying around the house is great! I just have to remember to put everything that was in the box, back in the box lol

[@Hollyheartsart]

I use my laptop screen or my window during the day. Great video Baylee!

[@nadiaterezon]

How come I never thought of the tablet one???

[@giraffe_lovesmc378]

probably because the picture moves around sometimes

[@feffsi8042]

Minty! :D

[@mayapredovich3258]

I see you all the time in Baylee's videos

[@farahamiera2881]

we meet again

[@jociez]

U are literally everywhere😂

[@faithhartwig6347]

omg i screamed!! yesssss lightvox tutorial!!

[@Madi-ru6vm]

I actually use a glass desk and put a lamp under, but it's kind of inconvenient. These are also really great ideas too, in fact, I actually like the picture frame one, so I might use it!

[@kristinceria7429]

Can you make a video about paper for copics?

[@BayleeJae]

Yep! I have plans to make that video :)

[@anonymousfrog1334]

Yay! Can't wait!

[@IamMyAnne]

+Baylee Jae Yayy! I need that ;p

[@devistatorarts9503]

Twine Tin Tin I use 98lb Bristol board from Strathmore

[@MintedKrissu]

Weird, i was literally just looking for a lightbox haha. Guess this saves me some money :D

[@2doot]

Again, as an amateur artist who is too young to have a job and make money (and I don't want to bother my mom to get the more expensive stuff) i find difficulties because of the lack of these type of art supplies. This video helped me because now I have a free solution to get a light box. I already have a few push lights and a box somewhere around, so this is the perfect solution. Thanks for the video! You just found a new subscriber.

[@mimicryofnothing]

I love your videos, I found a lightbox made by crayola for under $20 a while back. keep drawing, your work is awesome

[@kenyastephens1343]

*face palms forehead* Why didn't I think of using a tablet for a light box, thank you!

[@jaydenbrown5259]

*Steals a random picture frame from the living room* FINALLY I HAVE A LIGHT BOX

[@meladams1216]

I was just looking to purchasing a light box.... YOur idea is BRILLIANT!!!

[@VanillaBubbles1222]

You've really inspired me to get back into my art! Thanks!! ♡

[@nodippy]

thank you so much for this! I was in need of a light box and i was about to order one but i can definitely do it at home :) ps. you working with those motion lights was hilarious 😂

[@elladavidson1897]

I just use my windows cause im broke XD THE STRUGGLE IS REAL Y'ALL

[@DizzyMapping]

windows actually work tho

[@drfs9341]

It,s just my routine to instantly press the like button every time I watch these videos. You don’t need to watch the video to know it is going to be amazing

[@mackenziepotter7100]

Oh my gosh thank you so much for showing me how to do this! I have an animation I am working on sketching out and I couldn't afford a light box, so this really helped me! Thank you so so much!!

[@kyleverri8256]

Crayola has light boxes for children that run between 5-10 dollars!!!

[@meowmeowm30w]

haha i remember doing this when I had to trace something for my assignment ^^ I just used one of my clear box containers and my cellphone flashlight. Even though it wasn't perfect, it worked fine

[@frost6290]

you have saved my life as an artist, thankyou Bayley

[@jessmjfan989]

"if you dont know what a light box is....is a little box that lights up" LOL, brilliant description right there

[@mypabostuff]

was JUST about to buy a lightbox on ebay... but my ipad works perfectly! Thank you ^^ saved me 50$

[@JessicaBerrellTV]

My tablet moves the picture when I'm tracing how do you get by this? :)

[@mypabostuff]

+Jessica Berrell I just zoomed in to the picture so even if it moves, it's still all white :)

[@BayleeJae]

Like Pam said, zoom in, or you can put a small piece of fabric under your palm, like a sock.

[@sheliie9936]

Jessica Settings>General>Auto Lock>Never. The iPad will not go to sleep this way. If you want to lock screen rotation - use the side switch or if that doesn't work - double tap the home button, swipe to the right in the task bar - and lock the screen in there. The lock icon will be all the way to the left.

[@kiwimint]

am I the only one who just uses the Sun?

[@avereynakama9854]

Narwhals Are Real Yeah, I started using the window on a nice day.

[@jayplaysthesims6736]

I would but the sun is scarce in Canada Lol

[@cheesyquokka]

how do you fit the sun in your room

[@jendambrosio2584]

Great ideas, thanks. I was thinking with the picture frame, since you’d have open space underneath, you could use a lamp with a cord in that instance.

[@Hazardous_Content]

The IPad was probably the best idea

[@char806]

I turn my laptop the other way around so the keyboard is facing up, then I use the white design thing! Thank you for some tips :)

[@hillomunkkiseni]

here too xD been doing that for years, last time I did it only like an hour ago :D

[@sami-id7rn]

CharlieDoesCringe I do that too lol

[@mirandarutherford1425]

I hadn’t thought of a tablet! I have an old one we don’t use, so I wouldn’t have to stop watching things on my iPad, so even better! Great idea! I only need a light box to try something to see if it will make what I’m doing easier. If it does, I can order one if the DIY is a pain to set up. I wanted a way to kind of recreate the concept as a trial first. I have everything I need and thanks to you, I won’t have to round up a bunch of lights. Why didn’t I think of that? 😂

[@NnenesParadise]

These are such clever ideas :) Once I have a proper sized table for drawing, I'm DEF trying out some of these tricks, thank you :) !!!

[@KazuCreations]

just as another idea I thought of using legos to make the frame higher (and you can also make a hole where the cable of a lamp need to go through....just an idea

[@lightcasterstudios9660]

Clever!

[@manic.mondayyy78]

I use a clear clipboard then put it on my legs and clip the sketch on it then turn on my phone camera under it and it shines through it.

[@iggycrazy]

+Just_Me that sounds extremely efficient, do you happen to remember where you got the clipboard? i only ever see generally dark color tints that are a bit translucent and wooden ones

[@ForeverBreathe]

+Iggycrazy you can buy some at the dollar store, cvs, or staples if you have some near you and I'm sure walmart should have some.

[@manic.mondayyy78]

+Iggycrazy usually Walmart will have plastic ones it doesn't have to be a dark color mine is a dark blue but as long as it is plastic and you can see through it.

[@iggycrazy]

Ah, thanks to both of you!

[@angie_68]

Loved the video I never thought to use these as light boxes even the tablet, so cool thank you for sharing, new to your channel and loving it. Your channel inspires me to keep up art everyday. Have a wonderful weekend.

[@celestiaa.k.anancyb.5531]

Love the light box ideas. Can't wait to make one!

[@yourfaceisbridget]

You can just use a glass table And stick a lamp underneatg

[@lifeismusicparnadonkers]

If you have a glass desk

[@soniamika706]

Wouldn't it be better if you use the glass pan and put the tablet under it so the screen won't slide around when your tracing?:o

[@TheJJO1234]

just another idea- I do all my drawings on the desk in my room, which happens to have a (partially) see-through glass surface. when I need to trace onto better paper, i just hold a flashlight underneath and turn off all the lights! It's so much easier than a whole setup or something, in my opinion. Not everyone has a glass table in their house, but It works great for those who do.

[@sambeawesome]

I've always done it the lazy way, using a window with sunlight or my second monitor, but those are definitely not comfortable xD But I used them in "emergencies" otherwise I might've gotten more creative. Nice ideas! Very useful :D

[@ToffeeBlocks]

Wouldn't using a tablet be damaging the screen? (Like if you were pressing hard with a pencil) I'm slightly concerned to use mine XD

[@BayleeJae]

+ToffeeBlocks You would basically have to jam the pencil into the screen to cause any damage. Also, if you're tracing, you wouldn't be pressing hard anyway.

[@dumboreo146]

me too!

[@Pradapussy]

+Baylee Jae you are the best artist and my inspiration 😗😗😗

[@jaygalliard]

I'm sure you can trace lightly than go over it harder when it's not on the tablet. :)

[@dumboreo146]

+Baylee Jae I love how almost always reply! :)

[@xouinhyremoya1142]

I use a lamp and a clear clipboard 😂

[@Rick03038]

Hi Baylee, just wanted to say thank you for saving me $60. I was going to buy a light box for weeding my vinyl cuttings when I saw your post and downloaded a light for my iPad....lol. Thank you again

[@JennyHouwswolf]

hey for the picture frame one you can just put it on top of one of the clear boxes, which will provide a smooth surface for the box! (and space to put the light under) :D

[@kayleaferguson4768]

will it damage my laptop screen if i use that as a light box

[@emily-ky3ll]

No, as long as you don't press too hard

[@Commenter839]

Don't trace directly on the screen at ALL. Screens are very sensitive and can be permanently damaged by doing this.

[@sami-id7rn]

Kaylea Ferguson no and my last name is Ferguson wow

[@LithiumDinosaur]

Did nobody think of using an actual window?

[@samanthalaurencelle3578]

I DID TOO!!😆

[@siremi2730]

It’s difficult to lean vertically to trace

[@charliesymons1409]

When using an iPad you should turn on guided access and remove the ability to touch the screen. general-settings-accessibility-guided access. You can make it so that when you triple click the home button it turns off and on. very useful for this kind of thing

[@aristokat3457]

I've been using this for years, I just using my iPad and go to google and search white wallpaper, and then use it on my lock screen and turn the brightness to high, and start tracing. Is really useful!

[@MrBrandx8106]

I have a heavy hand as well. I start out with light sketches, then they get darker. But I never thought about tracing my good drawings. .. I remember when I was younger I took the picture and blank paper then placed it on my sliding glass door, and used that as a tracing table. Thanks for the ideas. I'm building one for my son and watching slot of videos for ideas.

[@kema9527]

Oh you just made me want to animate again. My laptop got broke and I wanted to try traditional animation. Thanks I really appreciate

[@aurouraborealis]

I've been needing to buy one for the longest time, but this is going to help me from doing that! This was so helpful and informative!! Thank you for all this great advice!

[@mythdusterds]

You can also use panters tape and put your drawing on a window and use natural light or a porch light once it gets dark outside or is cloudy and there is a storm.

[@breanna3714]

I have an old night light, so I got a thick container and put it in. When I turned it on and put the lid on top it works really well :)

[@alyssakix3966]

Ahhhhh I would've never thought to use my tablet! Thank you for your brilliance!

[@Mypenleaks]

Can't believe I didn't think to use a picture frame! Genius. Thank you

[@Regene4239]

I traced a sketch onto watercolor paper today using my phone as a makeshift lightbox. It worked quite well.

[@prettyblimp]

"Triumph" have made a light box very much like yours, except no light on the back. It has adjustable lighting density, and being thin is easy to store.

[@jeffthejournaler4894]

Sadly i don't have a tablet sadly but i do already have two light up tracing pad at home! Hope u have a nice day and stay safe!😍😍🤗

[@kalb992]

I did it on a glass table with a handheld flashlight and moved the light around so I could see my picture. It worked really good!

[@nokiot9]

I used to stick a lamp under the glass coffee table. Works well with a shallow and wide desk lamp with a 3 stage bulb. I also used to Stick my I Mac directly under the table and face it straight up so I could practice.

[@beefyboy49]

For the picture frame method, you can place it on top of a plastic container. It's just the plastic container method, but with a picture frame on top

[@irat913]

it's nice that you have more than one way to do this in the video.

[@artbytessiejo7218]

Hi, I think your best idea was the frame! Good work!

[@popcornsunshine6376]

Hey Baylee Jae I use a window and reuseable tape for a light box. My pros and cons are you can only do it in daylight hours and I can draw very large pictures depending on which window I desire to draw on.

[@Radioanka]

Thanks! You uploaded this the same day as my lightbox started making weird, crackling noises and smelling like burnt electronics. I think I will use the picture frame one until I can afford a new "real" lightbox.

[@tinatiger1019]

I actually have a kid's drawing desk that comes with a screen and a lamp attached. The lamp has a normal lamp mode and a lightbox mode where the screen is lit up. It also came with a chair and have two storage drawers, a spin thing that can hold markers and stuff like that, and a box hole thing to put paper and stuff like that. It's too small for me but I love it very much still. I think the brand is actually Fisher Price

[@SeeUMusicKat]

you just changed my whole world- i tried putting lights into a plastic container and it was really beyond *not it* , im gonna try the pyrex glass dish

[@Kirsty.K]

Holy **** baylee you are magic, I'm poor so I can't get a lighbox and I found this and I'm so thankful! Thank you, you magic woman!

[@eriquedennis1038]

You are soo innovative. I'm glad I subscribed to you, always showing others different ways to make their lives easier when it come to materials dealing with art.

[@absolutebuffoon6375]

My Wacom isn't working so I'm looking for traditional art hacks. This was super helpful!!

[@isalennon]

That's crazy! I just had the idea of using a tablet as a lightbox yesterday, and today you post this video! haha

[@mckinleyharrop8416]

i use an old glass door from an ikea cabinet and a phone or tablet as the light, it works great and the door is pretty big so i never have to worry about my hand going off the edge while i’m working

[@gardenwarrior4219]

I have a clear glass table and i put a flashlight below it shining up. Works perfect.