This is an ad for a modern-day camera lucida, an optical tool that projects an image, allowing you to overlay it directly onto what you’re drawing.

This technology could influence how we choose to express ourselves today.

The camera lucida once led to the invention of photography, but over time, it has largely been forgotten. Now, photography is created with such speed and convenience that many of our photos go unseen. I believe we can enhance our visual expression by returning to the camera lucida.

You don’t need fancy tools like the ones shown in the video. I created most of my drawings by stacking large medical textbooks and hovering my iPhone or iPad over a canvas.

marrying another doctor ensures there’s no shortage of textbooks.

Try using an image editing app. There are plenty available, and I started using GoArt a long time ago—I still enjoy their filters. However, there are so many options to explore in the App Store. I hope you discover even more beautiful ways to combine the power of multiple apps!

I recommend downloading the following apps:

  • Step 1: Take a photo that has some meaning to you

  • Step 2: Upload the photo on GoArt. In the app, go to the “Transformer” tab then use the “Delicate art effects.”

  • Step 3: Select the filter that you’d like to paint and save it

  • Step 4 (optional): Upload the photo on the Grid# app and apply grid lines

  • Step 5: Position the phone over a canvas and use the camera Lucida app to project the image onto a canvas

  • Step 6: Do your best to draw the photo on the cavas. The difficulty will still be difficult but the process will speed up and the colors scheme will be somewhat simpler to paint. I find the grid lines are helpful to line up a smaller portion of the image onto the canvas. I also draw matching grid lines on the canvas to line up with the projected photo.

If you struggle to visualize this process then follow me on TikTok to see me try to record this process in action. Please reach out to me via email.