The Neolucida
‘I can’t draw so that’s why I take photos…’
This is a line I have used for many years and will probably still continue to do so. My drawing abilities were at their peak when I was about twelve; I would spend hours copying characters from my ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ comics, which then my drawings would be proudly displayed on the walls at my local fish ‘n’ chip shop. Today my drawing skills are non-existent, even my stickmen are deformed abominations that would make most shake their head.
However, earlier this year when I was browsing Kickstarter, which is a crowd-funding platform to champion new inventions and ideas through mass public funding, I came across the Neolucida. My first thoughts were wow this is cool, I might be able to finally draw; I have seen Camera Lucida’s before in museums and photographic history books but I had never given them much thought. So I made the pledge of $45 to secure one in the hopes of rekindling my interest in drawing.
For those not familiar with these devices, a Camera Lucida was an optical prism drawing aid that allowed the user to superimpose a scene they intended to draw onto their paper/canvas, allowing them to trace the basic outline and form. The device was invented in the early 1800’s and it was speculated by David Hockney that some of the great painters even before this period used mirrors and similar optical devices to aid them in the compositional structure of their paintings. I tend to believe this theory too as the perspective alignment of say Vermeer’swork is very photographic in structure.
Anyhow after many follow-up emails and updates on the manufacturing progress and shipping dates I finally received my Neolucida a few weeks ago. Upon opening it I was amazed; it is a well-made device refined through the careful study of its preceding incarnations, I was all quite excited reading about the Neolucidas half-silvered mirror prism; I viewed the online video tutorials and examples and after some initial trials I settled on trying to draw my singing bowl…
Hhmmm after many, many attempts resulting in the above catastrophe, I’m thinking it’s best to carry on pushing my cameras shutter button; I guess some people are just not destined to draw. Funny though, through years of photographic print spotting and retouching I have found that I have a very steady hand and excellent hand eye coordination, yet the slightest attempt to draw even with the aid of my Neolucida failed. Just blindfold me and give me a monorail camera to field strip, that’s where my skills are second to none. I will admit I’m my own worst critic, maybe with more practice and perseverance I may succeed.
‘Patience is a virtue’.
Still this renewed interest in old technology and the idea of influencing other mediums is great. I love looking into such devices and theories in which photography and photographic based tools/techniques are more embedded in traditional art practice than we think.
For more information on other devices look into these links:
http://www.camera-obscura-lucida-shop.com
http://www.cameralucida.org.uk
http://www.meilucida.com
15 thoughts on “The Neolucida”
Leave a Reply
> Next Post Washed out?
< Previous Post Penni Redding
Tutor News – Katrina Whitehead
6 Comments
Some of you will know me as your personal tutor, or you may have...
Read more
Student Stories: Julia McLean
2 Comments
OCA Photography Program Leader Dan Robinson caught up with Julia McLean about her experience...
Read more
Artlab23 Collective
0 Comments
The aim of the Collective is to provide a mutually supportive environment which will...
Read more
OCA’s Online Degree Show Showcase 2023
0 Comments
Welcome to our online Degree Show Showcase 22/23 where we are celebrating a number...
Read more
Very interesting. It’s just a pity its not shipping to the UK yet.
I would be very proud to have drawn that in any way at all !
Does it lessen the received value of the work? this will be an interesting documentary coming soon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25492810
It is a difficult question, regardless on how it has been constructed it is the end product that should be appreciated. Yet there are many artists out there where the actual act of making is integral to the work, as if the final piece is almost akin to a byproduct.
That documentary looks good, than you.
Do you know when the documentary will be on?
Sorry Olivia , this is all the info’ I have at the moment, if I find out more update.
What about a Neolucida that projects an image in a programme like Illustrator or Photoshop?
I think Hockney more or less proves that artist’s like Vermeer used the Camera Lucida
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Knowledge-Rediscovering-techniques-Masters/dp/B00DJG5NDQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388672422&sr=8-2&keywords=david+hockney+secret+knowledge
Painters seem to be gradually accepting the fact which throws an embarrassing light for some, on traditionally held conceptions of what an Old Master might be.
That’s interesting use of old technology, I’ve been using an overhead projector in my photographic work. I very much like past technologies, although I’m not into developing etc. I like mechanical things better.
Not so sure about the drawings on the websites linked to though !
Good to read your posts Russell (I’m a former student of yours)
Hi Anne,
OHP’s are great, the same as working with 35mm slide projectors. The are interesting to work with to bend and project light & images into a scene.
The drawings are a bit to be desired yet it is art…
Thanks for feedback, I hope your continuing studies are going well.
Very well thanks Russell, I’m really enjoying it! I hope to get onto level 3/6 later this year.
Yes definitely art, the OHP I referred to, – I originally used it for enlarging drawings or photographs as a method for transferring them to canvas or paper, it might not be red dust and little holes like they used in the renaissance, but I’m not sure its really any different in principle; perhaps I should have clarified what I said before – I’m definately not one of them that thinks its cheating! There’s so many ways of creating images that are so worth investigating for the different attributes and qualities of the image produced 😀
I thought your drawing looked pretty good Russell and suspect you are being rather over-critical.
It is an interesting post for me as I’ve long been fascinated by the idea of the camera lucida. I hadn’t realised it was possible to buy a nice ready-made one and am trying to resists the temptation.
Anne’s latest OHP work is remarkable. She is being very modest.
I have long been fascinated by camera Lucidas and obscuras and have even considered making a camera obscura out of curtains so that I can actually walk into it. I found the videos describing them rather ingratiating. I can imagine a whole load of amateur artists getting hold of one or other and thinking that they can be magically transformed into a master. Who are they fooling? The actual masters who used devices did so with respect for the process and manual, visual and conceptual skills abundant. It’s not just using it but how you use it that matters.
Hey Olivia,
Check out: http://fraenkelgallery.com/artists/richard-learoyd
His camera obscura images are very pleasant.
Small world.. Apologies for going off topic! But I was at Aspex tonight for the Creative Balance preview, with my girlfriend who is actually one of your old students, Billie Cawte.
No wonder I recognised your name!
A bit late with the reply… Indeed a small world. The Aspex preview of the Creating Balance project was manic, it was probably Aspex Gallery’s biggest PV, thanks for coming along and being a part of it. All my best to Billie, may catch up with her soon if she is still at LCE.
Regards
Russell