animation light table

Is tracing paper the correct type of paper to use for animation? Is the tracing paper that you can find in the sketch book section of most art supply stores the correct type of paper to use for creating animations? If you're using tracing paper, do you HAVE to have a light table? Thanks Tracing paper generally negates the need for a light table. However, it is very absorbant, making it a poor choice for inks and paints. Velum is slightly more opaque but stronger than tracing paper and works great with ink, even standing up to repeated erasing without tearing. It is about twice the price of standard tracing paper and usually found in the same area of any art store. I have recently tried a 'treated' acetate that accepted fine, felt-tip ink with no beading! Very promising but the most expensive. If it is 'cell' type animation (camera captures action frame-by-frame) your attempting, I suggest checking out collections of animation 'shorts' on dvd/vhs from a library or video store. You will see cell animation comes in endless forms, many not on paper at all! While a light table is not necessary for tracing paper or vellum, I recommend it regardless. It makes everything much clearer, saving you alot of time in an already time-intensive process.

LED Slim tracing light box table for tatto animation LED tracing light box table A3 tatto animation

Wall Lighting - Come Out of the Darkness

What would have become of man without lighting? Wall lighting illuminated the night and profoundly changed human existence. Wall lighting creates a comfortable living space whether it’s for decoration or ambiance. It helps create magic and fantasy, for otherwise there would just be a dark shadowed space.

It has been rumored that in BC people would take a rock and cover the rock with moss. They would then soak the rock with animal fat and ignite. For control, wicks were later introduced...

From history we are aware that in the 1700’s most homes or plantations used either candle fixtures or candelabras. They also carried candle sticks and candle lanterns. Then in the early 1800’s oil lanterns were used. Most of these fixtures were made from tin, iron or wood. These lanterns were all hand made and some looked like the lighting fixtures we have today. Around 1860 kerosene oil and gas lighted many of these fixtures.

Then in 1879 the greatest invention of all came to be. This was the year that Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. This helped mold cultures for the Art Deco Era. Gas/electric combination lighting was used. Electric lighting was less expensive and less dangerous then gas. These fixtures were abundant in people’s homes and were usually hung by a chain. 

Electricity kept dropping in price until 1960. The equipment that generated the electricity began to climb and rise. This pushed up the utility bills and the average person started to struggle. People started to turn off their lights, they installed dimmers, timers, and sensors.

More and more people are starting to change to compact florescent  lights. The downside is the color has less intense quality and a slower start up time. The latest is the LED. It is quick to start and the quality is exceptional.

Interior lighting refers to all lights within a building that is not exposed to the elements. Exterior lighting is the reverse. This lighting is outdoors and is exposed to the elements.

There are traditional, modern, and decorative style wall lights. You can have lighting fixtures from your wall, floor, table and ceiling.

There are also many different kinds of wall fixtures. There are adjustable, hanging, lanterns, torch, lamp, vanity lights, and wall sconces.

Wall mounted lighting fixtures extend from the wall between 4 and 10 inches. An adjustable fixture has an up light or down light with a swing arm The body of a hanging fixture hangs from a stem that is extended outwards from a wall. A wall lamp is any fixture that has a shade and is a similar style to a table lamp. The lights around or above a mirror are known as vanity lights. The wall sconce is a wall mounted fixture that only has one light.

You can find all these styles and types to fit any budget. There are many places to find all the unique and different varieties. Please make certain whatever you choose reflects your personality and the overall theme of your home.

About the Author

Barbara Tobiasz resides with her husband (Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com)  in the Chicago area, studied at the Art Institute and taught for the Chicago Public Schools. She has volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. Her hobbies include reading, taking long walks with her dog and working her magic turning ordinary rooms into creative works of art.