Huion L4S Light Pad Review + 3 Useful Tracing Techniques

[@mindofwatercolor]

PLEASE NOTE! I mistakenly called the larger light pad the A5 size. The larger pad is actually the A3. Sorry for any confusion!

[@judybestor1574]

Water of life church sermons

[@MrMcHoodoo]

Thank you for the clarification.

[@Ms1lonewolf]

That's ok

[@freyaaldrnari6086]

Thank you! I have a new light pad and didn't know if I could use tape on it... The directions are so detailed about what you should never do, I was wondering if tape was ok. I've subbed.

[@savagei6130]

Is this an A5 or A4? Btw, great review!

[@waymire01]

I recently decided to splurge on a light pad. I've been painting on and off for three decades... people today have NO idea how good they have it lol. I remember having to build a light box by hand with an incandescent bulb...or taping paper to windows on a sunny day...and when the commercial options came out in the retail market they were hundreds of dollars. These new pads are like magic compared to what we had in the past... extremely thin, light, bright.... and so cheap! I was shocked. I went in expecting a major purchase and came away with a super nice pad for under $30.

[@mindofwatercolor]

LOL! Yes. I built one too out of plywood. It was crude, huge and clunky. I tossed it when I inherited a metal one (one of those several hundred dollar ones) from a marketing firm I worked for that went out of business. They let me have it with some other equipment as a consolation for losing my job. Still big and clunky but it was much nicer. Yep, today's LED versions by comparison are quite magical.

[@leslie-lynnesinkey8145]

The A4 saved my sanity (what's left of it). It was great for pieces that just didn't turn out "quite right." Rather than spending hours trying to re-sketch the image, I could spend it painting, instead! LOVE IT!

[@TheBarry33]

Just so you know, your words do not go unheeded. After this video I looked at your first one and ordered the bigger model. No more messy and vague graphite transfers for me. Thank you! Barry, Montreal

[@vampazilla2622]

This was an EXCELLENT video on using light pads! Thank you so much for this video. I've seen other YT videos discussing the very same product but they haven't even come close to your demonstration. Your hands on demonstrations and techniques were so visually informative. I've learned about compositing and iterative drawings from your video. Who needs art school when good people as yourself is sharing wonderful artistic knowledge. Again, thank you so much!

[@surinaatan9147]

I bought the A3 model based on the previous video review and haven't regretted since. For anyone who is thinking about it, this is a fantastic option and a cheap one too! Thanks for the wonderful video reviews, i always look forward to your videos.

[@DavidHainlin]

This has really helped me to prep the same sketch for multiple studies or learning opportunities without focusing on drawing. Really quick and easy to prep a few sheets to try various blending or other techniques to improve brush or color or choices... very handy tool

[@rebeccapage4411]

LOVE my A4 Huion! It fits in a clamshell hard side laptop case from an old computer for storage and the USB is ingenious. I only have 1 outlet per room in my 1880 home, and use my extra power bank from my cell phone to power it.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Great idea on the power bank. Someone else mention it too. Very portable.

[@riteasrain]

Rebecca Page How interesting. How does that work?

[@atriumhoshino150]

thank you for the review! I will definitely get the smaller one soon. If you own a cell phone/tablet's power bank, you can also use it everywhere too! no need to plug the usb to the wall charger.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, great idea for portability!

[@BeverlyBaxley]

Thanks for showing use of light box It's good to hear a real artist talk about techniques that help in art

[@codenamebravo2212]

I'm an occasional drawer when I have the time, and love the idea of using a light board. After seeing your video of how the light board helps I have just purchased one from Amazon. Thank you for the video.

[@empress_craft]

What I love about Huion is that each of their lightboards come with a varity of adapters (at least from Amazon UK and DE)! Perfect for the traveling artist :) very thoughtful

[@kathrynholden4223]

Just bought my first light pad that is almost identical to the Huion and I love it. Saves a lot of frustration and gives many more options than my old graphite method. Thanks for the video!

[@brunam.s]

Thanks so much, I was in a great doubt between a3 and a4 and you gave me the honest panorama to make my choice

[@artieross9537]

Steve, after seeing your review, I bought the Huiron A4. I love it!!! It's the perfect size light pad for me. I like how I don't need an adapter. It plugs right into the wall. It's nice and bright. I can easily see my drawing to transfer it to my watercolor paper.

[@sschiada]

Thank you for doing another helpful video. Comparing the A3 to the L4S was just what I needed to know. Thinness and size means transportability is easier.

[@allarahmcmullin3917]

I purchased a Huion Light Pad based on your reviews. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can try it out! I knew I was going to get one but I didn't know how to figure out what I wanted. Your videos helped me with that. Thank you 😊

[@mindofwatercolor]

Excellent! Glad to hear it.

[@barbaraelliott7078]

Thanks so much Steve. Glad to be one of your “Minders”. You have helped me to decide to purchase this useful tool.

[@barbaraelliott7078]

I did buy the larger light pad. It works very well even with 140lb watercolour paper. You need to use this in a low light situation ie not with overhead light so you can see the light shine through, not from the top.

[@rhuechantal1240]

Thank you for taking time to review this product, and showing various ways to utilize it. Your videos are informative and helpful. As a mixed media fine artist who is exploring the versatility of watercolour, I am enjoying the inspiring tips and techniques you share here.

[@uberurbana4894]

I have the A3 size Huion light pad that I got on EBAY, used, for a really good price. I can see where I would like the A4 for calligraphy. My writing has a tendency to up hill or down hill....never straight. If I were doing envelopes for a wedding, the smaller one, being thinner would be a lot easier on the arm. I could just have my 3 line or 4 line template down and no more having to lightly draw lines on envelopes, waiting for the ink to dry, and then go back and erase each envelope of lines. For that reason, I could see having both. Until I bought the A3, I never knew about paper size either....who knew??? Love your videos !!!

[@susanhanna1077]

I had the same thoughts about grid drawing. I could use a template and not have to draw the lines on my paper. No more erasing.

[@mitni4579]

I have the same A3 light pad and love it. I’ve used light tables to transfer my own sketches for many years now. A very useful tool.

[@flightofthemagpie2603]

Thank you for sharing your expertise again! Very valuable for people who will never be able to get formal instruction. Also fun style and love your work!

[@TheCombatartist]

I just received mine - large model A3. I too had an antique fluorescent lamp, homemade, 3 ton box type that I used during the middle ages of illustration (1980's) for architectural renderings. Your review helped making my decision easier - thanks.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Good to hear. That was my hope.

[@TheCombatartist]

We're both "seasoned" old-school illustrators, that's why I can listen to your videos vs. a millennial's attempt. What editing software do you use for your videos if I may ask? I'm a Mac guy with a 27" iMac, but am still using CS5.1, etc. Not a video dude. Thanks.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Adobe Premiere Pro. Part of the Adobe CC suite. Its all cloud subscription based now. But if you have a subscription to Adobe CC you have access to every app in the suite. Its not bad really if you're a pro and use their apps a lot.

[@TheCombatartist]

Thanks for the reply, it's appreciated. No need for the CC suite anymore. Purely putzing around and want to simplify my workflow...oh yeah, I still have kids and an epileptic dog to contend with!

[@marcotronic]

Tony Stencel check out Blackmagicdesign's "Da Vinci Resolve" - free professional video editing.

[@Linda-kh6rl]

Iam so proud i found you. I have been looking at different ones An i like the way you explaining❤

[@myc_tv]

Thank you for the review! These Light Pads are also great for Concept Game Art. As an artist who has only started learning the technique, I think it is the best and affordable product out there.

[@Sunraes73]

Awesome video! I watched both light pad videos after I was shopping on Amazon, came across the A3 size, then learned in the comments you recommended it! What a pleasant surprise! Definitely investing in this tool. Thanks for sharing Steve! You are the Man!!

[@r.h.3084]

Thank you :) I've been wanting to transfer some of my coloring book designs to watercolor paper, and this looks just right.

[@Kim_Bezoen_art]

Thnx! I was looking for a good light pad for some time now but painting with watercolors myself I needed a light pad that could handle thick paper as well. And that was hard to find! Now I'm set on this brand and of course it's out of stock in my country! and the Dutch Huion also has none left So now I have to wait (im) patiently for them to restock their light pads 😅

[@Tony-InLosAngeles]

First off that is really more reasonable than I had thought it would be $$; but then I think back to the boy I was in high school that needed/wanted a light box and basically used a car windshield and fluorescent light fixture...working with what I had on the ranch and on whatever money I had. Tony...West Hills, Ca. Usa

[@rhondamagee7459]

nice! I have an OLD light box that I paid a lot more $$ for and is huge. It's just so big and bulky that I haven't used it in years. Thanks for the review.

[@AudreyEWrobel]

Thank you dearly for sharing these techniques! I got this light pad largely to do applique, but I was also looking into what else I could do with it. (Pretty amazed at all the ways people have used light boxes.)

[@_JoyceArt]

I have the A3 one and love it, even though I don't use it all the time, for the times I do want to transfer stuff, it's a great price-quality option to do so.

[@SilentTrip]

I bought my first lightpad because of your review and I absolutely love it!! Can't wait to watch this one

[@mouselander]

I made a light pad from a sun therapy lamp I got for $20 and an old transparent clip board - much better than the LED bords and much more robust ✌🏾

[@TheAndreArtus]

It's also helpful to work out perspective (even with unrefined shapes) on drafting paper and then transfer those to a clean sheet of drawing paper, WC paper, or template stock.

[@inekedusseljee3093]

I bought the huion A3 size sometime ago. Loving huion!!

[@rayvirgoe7231]

hanks. I have been thinking of buying one. This review helps.

[@arielle_art]

This video is so informative, thanks so much for sharing! I totally get what you mean about using graphite paper to transfer, and I always end up with wobbly lines because I have to focus on making sure the marks are there. I'm so glad there are other ways to transfer sketches onto watercolour paper. (and it looks like this can save a lot of time too! 😍)

[@susankeable6201]

Thank you have my first one and didn't know what it was as it was a gift

[@jesstolley7193]

I actually got a Huion after watching your original review. :) I LOVE it!

[@nancynewlin]

I bought the A4 version as well as an Image brand by Fixm padded case to store it in or for travel. It has an outside pocket for storing the USB cable and a USB power adapter. (Mine adapter is an Apple.) Because I use mine several times a week, I keep the USB cable plugged in and secured to my painting table for quick use. The light pad is a primary tool for me. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[@beads2yarn]

Fantastic video. I love your tree and bird paintings and this video was so useful. I'm buying it. Thank you.

[@karenpearson2239]

I just hit the wrong key meant to say LOVE what you do

[@Rockymtnbloom]

I have the larger one, but probably should have gotten the smaller one. You can move your paper around as you transfer or refine the image. I have also used the pad to do masking. For example I sketched a waterfall, and then used the light pad to apply miskit to the paper. Sometimes there is a glare using my larger pad with small paper, so it is easy to solve by placing cardboard to frame the paper. I never use my old large light table any more!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Good tip on the masking!

[@Ruby-wise]

Thanks for this demo. I've been debating about this tool and now I'm convinced the small one would be perfect for my work!

[@MrMcHoodoo]

Great tips on uses for a light pad! Thank you!

[@donnaeturner]

Thank you so much! I am working on a project that this is going to make so much easier.

[@Maria-Maria00714]

Thank you so much...this was helpful beyond measure

[@simonmbush5047]

Thank you for that review. It helped make my mind up for the A4 version.

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

Surprisingly affordable ! Thanks for sharing !

[@imagineairbrushbillsnegon]

Thank you for the review , Steve. It helped me make a decision to go ahead and purchase it tonight! 🙂🎨

[@pjlewisful]

wonderful info.! These are great light pads, but the old one my uncle who's a carpenter made for me years ago out of wood & glass still works great for me...(not too portable like these, however!)

[@riteasrain]

I used those big ones at college in 2015. Never seen these thin ones til I bought one recently, a real eye-opener!

[@conniemcconnell8347]

I have this smaller one. I find it's portable if you have the external batteries for charging phones or tablets. Now I can take it to go.

[@annsowers4591]

I really like my light pad for certain projects. I also use my tablet or laptop as a cheater light pad for the times I don't want a hard copy. Granted I have graphic software that helps. As you say, use what you have to make life easier.

[@quiltedwithlove]

Just got mine today! LOVE IT! Thanks for the review.

[@fireworkstoo]

thank you - this helped me decide

[@00miwa00]

thank you SO MUCH for this review!

[@Ms1lonewolf]

I was wondering what those light pads where actually used for. Thank you for clearing that up for me. I have drawings that I would like to copy (there my drawing's) and I used the trace paper which worked but this would be much easier.

[@grushlin1980]

Very nice item. Now I want one!

[@stephinadefelice6080]

Wow, Thank you... I so enjoy your lessons.

[@freyjasig]

Thanks, great review, you just sold me one - ordered one from Amazon UK :)

[@essietangle9931]

Thanks Steve, good information.

[@theberrby6836]

I just got this light box.. pad... for Christmas. Thank you for this review!

[@user-hz8eq9dv7o]

Neat product review! I'm in the market for my first light pad and your review is very helpful, thank you! :)

[@robodd4694]

I must have mis-understood you. A5 is 5.8"x8.3". A3 is 12x17. Thanks for the video by the way. I'm going for the A2 which is the largest. Always go higher so you have room to go smaller. If you get a smaller one your stuck.

[@Mitch.Wasserman]

You sold me! Just ordered one.

[@mpetersen6]

I am so definitely getting one of these. Using transfer paper or the other traditional transfer techniques never really works well. The older light boxes are just so big they take up too much room when not in use. And standing at a window ........

[@teresamoyer2618]

Thank you so much. A very big help. I won’t be a wealthy artist, but I’ll be a more happy artist.😋

[@valborchardt3596]

Thanks Steve, great review

[@karenrichardson6767]

Thanks Steve! I just ordered one.

[@SuperJacquiO]

Thank you for the review, I have made a watercolor of an owl and I watercolored the background too watery so the paper has gone through and I want to make it again and didn’t know how to do it and draw it again is a lot of work.

[@leighadams9002]

Great very informative 👍

[@CarolHeld]

What a nice Light pad. It is like comparing a New iPad to the old ones. hahaha Thank you for the tutorial.

[@bonnieolendorf70]

very interesting. Thank you.

[@scrappysinger]

Bought it!! Thanks Steve!!❤💜💚

[@mindofwatercolor]

👌👍😃

[@kimskitchen123]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@diniahnightshade1111]

This is a great review. I've been wanting a light box like this, but most of them are well beyond my means heh. This one though, what a reasonable price :) Thanks for bringing this to our attention

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes, one reason I reviewed it is its a very reasonable price.

[@gloriatepper5962]

You have the best reviews. I have a question. How do you remove smudges of graphite and residue from white tape on the screen? Thank you

[@mindofwatercolor]

Rubber cement thinner works well. Denatured alcohol also.

[@kellercrucita550]

Thanks so much!🤗

[@49lucky]

I bought one way back forgot about it till now during covid,19.

[@metralla]

I made one light box few years ago but since I have a computer LED screen I use that instead. You only have to open a new document in Word or open a white image in PS and you have your own light box

[@marcosfunky]

That exactly what i did

[@lizziedae91]

I do that with my phone more often than I would like to admit

[@heartchitect1960]

Did I hear you mention military? What kind of job would an illustrator have in the military? My dad was a mechanic in the Army, my son a Nuclear Engineer in the Navy. I'm intrigued. Also, I need a smaller lightbox. I will order this one. Thanks!!

[@mindofwatercolor]

I was not in the military so i really don't know what art jobs there would be. I'm sure there are some though.

[@heartchitect1960]

@@mindofwatercolor I heard wrong. I went to a Kansas concert in the Brady Theater in Tulsa last Friday night and still haven't come down from it. There new pianist is from Yes... omg

[@lilsexyhellion81]

I was wondering if u could plz do a video on painting sunrays in watercolor going up thru clouds and down thru them

[@riteasrain]

Handy tutorial, thanks. I have a video tutorial where I actually use a tablet as a light box to do a horse watercolour. I recently bought a light table similar to yours, so handy.

[@Jacklynofalltrades]

It's funny I was using all of the techniques intuitively. I had no idea that illustrators were doing it.

[@BeezeeCohen]

Thanks for the light pad review. Looks like it will be added to my equipment collection! I like your white drawing board with the clip. Where did you buy it? I have a larger one in brown prefer white with a smaller clip.

[@BornAgainFarmGirl]

Very helpful !

[@cyng8497]

In case anyone else is wondering….Took me forever trying to find out what that little clip you showed I’d for… clips over the edge and hold the paper .

[@shhq2]

WC-paper is the same as Toiletpaper where i live. 😁😂 took me a moment to turn my head around... 😁

[@liart6219]

I guess the European letter / paper measurement can be a little confusing:-) , higher the number, smaller the size:-D . I do have the A3 light pad and I love it. It's true, the smaller A4 could do it 90% of the time, but it don't take up that much space.

[@glenmiller6404]

like your shirt ! I draw a lot of ww 2 aircraft in graphite pencil !

[@mindofwatercolor]

Cool! Thanks.

[@TheCombatartist]

Look at joining the American Society of Aviation Artists. I'm an artist member, great group of people. You only need to enjoy creating aviation art. www.asaa-avart.org

[@mindofwatercolor]

I admire several aviation artists and have a few Aviation art books. Cool stuff! Several favorites : Craig Kodera, William S Phillips, James Dietz, Robert Taylor, Roy Grinnell, just to name a few.

[@TheCombatartist]

Check out the artist Gil Cohen. He is a fantastic artist and teacher. I was lucky enough to be in a few of his teaching seminars, classical old school illustrator and painter. www.aviationarthangar.com/gilcohen.html

[@mindofwatercolor]

Oh yes, I'm familiar. Thats the problem when I start listing artists I'm bound to leave out other good one. 😊

[@lOwlEyesl]

Can I just get some clarification on something you said about graphite paper? You said the only time you use it is when it's on an opaque surface? Like vellum? And then what would you use it for?

[@mindofwatercolor]

I sometimes use graphite paper on opaque surfaces like illustration board or watercolor board. Surface you can't see through on a light pad.

[@claudiadimeo6597]

Great tool and great tips! I have a question though. I'm a beginner with this tool, and I notice that my line loses in fluidity, becoming stiff and dull when tracing. Is this merely a practice issue or is there any advice you can give to avoid this? Keep up the awesome work!

[@mindofwatercolor]

Practice will definitely help. Don't trace. Instead, think in terms of redrawing your previous drawing using it only as a guide. Keep life in your lines.

[@claudiadimeo6597]

I'll definetly keep that in mind! Thank you!

[@acorderob]

Hi Steve. Nice review, but you kept calling the big pad as A5 and it is A3 :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

oops! Yes I did. Thanks for the heads up.

[@ginettemelody1035]

Exciting. Will it work with a 300g paper, Archer or similar please? Thank you

[@Adeline9418]

So I can take a color page and print it how I want and trace and color the parts I want.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Pretty much, yes!

[@joancc]

Excellent...thank you :-)

[@dawnabbott3783]

Steve, I know this was a while since you did these reviews but I am deciding on buying one and noticed that the L4S has a lower LUX which is the max brightness as far as I can tell. Did you notice a difference in the max brightness between the two and still did 140 pound paper the same?

[@mindofwatercolor]

works great on 140 lb.

[@dawnabbott3783]

Received mine and so far I am very happy with it for the price I paid!

[@marcybreault5096]

Will this work for diamond paintings? I am wondering if they might be too thick to see the light enough. Thanks

[@NSynCreatively]

I want to write patterns using Mochila Wayuu techinique, would this light pad help me to transfer cross stitching patterns onto graph paper n resizing if need b? I write my patterns on graph paper.

[@mindofwatercolor]

Yes.