Everything You Wanted To Know About Tracing With A Projector 

Hi all! I'm sorry. The Vankyo Burger 101 projector is no longer made. I'm sure there's a newer one you can find. But I don't have a link.

"Tracing is a tool" is my favorite quote ever!

This reminded me of when I used to trace Pokémon in coloring books then later at school I could draw them from memory.

Tracing taught me how to draw as a kid from age 5 to about 7. After I got the muscle memory, I slowly took tracing out. But once in a while I go back and forth.

i used to struggle with using references because i'd think i was just copying other's ideas, but now i'm fine with it because i do it my way.

*My process be like:* Draw draw draw *trace stupid hand draw draw draw *trace stupid foot draw draw draw

I found tracing one of the most effective ways to learn details

I was drawing freehand for almost like four hours today, and I had to watch three of your shorts to help me get the shape of the lips, nose, and ears right! I have trouble drawing realistic facial features, and you gave me the freedom to do that! Thank you so much ☺️🥺

I always told myself, even if I don’t do it often, tracing is one of the best ways to tech your hands how to draw something in particular Tracing should be normalized, as long as the artist isn’t completely claiming that the thing they traced is their own art. You should see some of the tracing dramas, where people trace claim as their own and then get called out and whole dramas go down. The art community tends to be unforgiving, but I completely believe that tracing art is a really good learning tool to learn some muscle memory to draw particular things!!

Thank you so much for the disclaimers. So many people don't get that A, tracing doesn't replace learning to draw and B, tracing is still art! Nice of you to put that out there

Feel like tracing is aight if there’s no copyright/ your not marketing it as your own art unless you shade and color and add your own personal touch 😊

The thing about art is that you should always have fun, hey, I'm no professional at art, but it's always that you have to have fun while doing this stuff really gets you motivated.

I'm glad someone shares my way of thinking about tracing. It's a tool necessary to not only learn but also help. I've seen many comments saying they learned by tracing. Then I also realized, that drawing is about muscle mamorie. I didn't know that but when you think about it it makes scens, so thanks for that realisation people in the comments! Really appreciate it

Awh hey! I love van goghs works :) happy to see you replicating him ❤

Man I'm so glad you said this! I hate tracing because I feel like its cheating, but sometimes it IS nessesary. Thanks!

Thank you!!!!!!!!! When ever you talk about tracing you put it in the best way. I used to think it was cheating but now I don’t!!! I love how you put this and your one of my favorite artists and knowing this makes it even more fun to draw I like how you put it and thank you for being my favorite artist (one of my favorite artists EVER!)

Tracing is actually how I learned how to draw, I would turn the brightness all the way up in my ipad and but the paper over it so I could see through it, I'd find different artists to shadow and trace their art untill I could do it on my own, after a couple of months I took all the skills I had learned through my shadowing and started applying it to finding and developing my own unique style, I think it was a nice way to learn and I highly recommend.

That projector is really cool!! Thanks for your helpful tips as always:))

I am a young artist and I think that I speak for everyone when I say that you always helps to improve so thank you for all that you do

Honestly you are my favorite artist creator on social media because you always say have fun and you dont gatekeep and its so refreshing and nice.

You’re one of the only artists on any platform who really sums up how tracing should be used well. It doesn’t make you a bad artist at all and it’s okay to a certain extent

I used to trace everything till just a few days ago because I thought I wasn't really drawing anything and not learning. Now I draw everything freehand and I got to say, tracing can really help to find your own art style. I'm only 13 so I still haven't properly figured out my own art style yet but I'm getting there, hopefully. Thanks Scott, you've really helped me to try to find my art style!

I love how helpful you always are Scott! I've been drawing off and on for a while now, just as a hobby. But I've always admired and been in awe of people like you! Your style is super cool and impressive, as someone who's struggled with finding a style they like drawing in its nice to see all different types of styles =)

I love to draw digitally then trace my work onto a piece of paper to ink and color it 😁

"Tracing does not and should not ever replace learning how to draw, practice to draw everyday" "Tracing is a tool" One time my friend traced an art (this case is anime style) and claimed it's their art, they are new to the art world and .. I just don't know how to tell them without hurting their feeling. You helped me to built a polite word to tell them, tysm! :D *Sorry if my grammar is wrong

Tracing also helps with muscle memory. I used to look down on tracing but I find it a very good tool in art now.

Tracing the models in "How to Draw..." books aided in my muscle memory and visual understanding of scales for a human-like anatomy. I would trace and trace and trace the same body over and over until it felt natural enough to do free-hand. So it is an amazing beginners' tool.

Tracing is a great way to build muscle memory while learning what marking techniques will help you achieve the results you desire

I really appreciate this video. I drawing as a hobby, but use a lot of traceing. It always feels like im cheating, or making a knockoff version of someone else images. It feels good to have this reassurance and affirmation

My mom always encouraged me to trace the artwork I liked when I was younger and now draw perfectly freehanded :)

This is huge. When I was in 6th grade I did a drawing of a drawing of a dragon and I used a reference picture to do my art. I didn't trace, but one of my friends at the time told me that even using a reference picture was cheating. For some reason that crushed my confidence even to this day. So seeing this was huge. Thank you.

This is soo true! I love freehand drawing but when I want to get a complete likeness I do this. My hubby got me this exact setup for Christmas last year and I have used it soo much. I will say it is one of my favorite things to use now. I made tiny pet portraits for friends and they loved them soo much. I am of the hobby level skill set with drawing but painting skills are really good. If someone ever asked me to capture a likeness you bet I will use this tool. I do not think it is cheating and I resent the fact that some people will throw that out soo fast. It deters progress and creates a stopping point for some that could really take this skill all the way. It is not a little secret it is a tool! Thank you for sharing this!!

I've always had trouble using tracing, because people especially on Facebook, like to think of tracing as cheating, or whatnot. You're really giving me great tips on drawing, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I love your videos, sir! They give me such a wholesome and inspiring feeling. You look genuinely happy making art, drawing and painting, like, that's how I want to be when i grow up!

I sucked at drawing hands so alot of the time I would trace them from old books, and now I can draw hands and I feel alot less worse about learning that way thx!

I saw one of your earlier videos talking about tracing and it made me not afraid to trace when I need it. It did feel like cheating, but now my art is better for it

I used to do a lot of tracing too and I learnt a lot from it actually. From doing positions to shading and everything. So whoever says it's cheating it's not true

Exactly! I actually learned to draw from tracing. I used to struggle a lot with how lines should be angled and shaped. I traced to get a feel for how different lines made different effects. Now I don't need to trace anymore. I will always recommend tracing as a good way to start because it really does help break down a drawing into more digestible chuncks that are easier to learn💖

Exactly this, using tracing to help learn or for personal art is a great way to be more efficient or help with tricky lines. The main reason why tracing is taboo is tracing someone else’s art work and selling it as your own. On you own, do what you want, but don’t claim it’s your own if you try to market it

I make drawings in Google Drawings, and I trace pictures all the time in it, but I'll try free hand after every finished picture, and I can see my improvement. Tracing is great for getting a feel for drawing, and truly isn't cheating.

Tracing helps me figure out how to draw various bodyparts, from eyes to mouths to hair to the body as a whole.

tracing is super helpful for when planning a painting because in painting, especially acrylic, you're not just looking aliens but also shadows and light so you can create barriers or write little notes for transitions like I do

I'm happy to hear someone else state what you have today about tracing. It's the way I began. For much of my life I felt shameful about it, criticizing myself. The very same feeling tracing is giving me is one that is reminiscent of using cheat codes and video game. So now that I feel better about tracing after addressing it in myself, And watching your video that also supports this idea, I can go on without the shame. Yet I think I'll maintain it for the video games, No need to cheat there text all the fun away.

i usually trace poses when i can since im terrible at anatomy... but that has taught me to draw better anatomy on my own! tracing is an amazing tool for learning

Sir your voice is sooo soothing. It makes me feel less anxious. Thank you soo much

As a textile design student, we were encouraged to trace and had tracing tables(glass on top, has a second bottom with a light source fixed in it) in our classroom, to make print designs as accurate as possible and compose well. I loved that so much that I got a transfer table made in my own room and it’s my favourite thing ever. But this contraption of yours looks so interesting I’m going to try it for sure.

I'm getting back into my graffiti art here soon once my new supplies get in. I wanna do a graffiti/cartoon character of you SO BAD. Gotta brush up on my skills again cause it's been YEARS. You've inspired me to get back into art of all forms though.

Don't forget that this is usefull for people that just want to draw or to learn how to blend some colors

My art teacher used an overhead projector (yes I am that old) to draw large but detailed pictures of cars and motorcycle engines. And he would draw multiples to show the several stages of the process. RIP PK.

I love tracing because I can focus on the painting stage more

My art class use to give me the hardest time for tracing, even when I was using MY OWN references and we had one new painting due every week. Tracing can teach you things, because like you said, it's a tool! As long as you finish it out with your own style and work, tracing is not a bad thing!

Your art style reminds me of those really pretty color by number drawings.

You are one of an amazing relatable youtuber!!😁

Whoaaa, using a projector is genius!!! I never thought of that!

I’m honestly not a good artist, but I’m trying to learn from you and tracing is like my best friend!!

Sometimes I'll trace a free to use base for a character in a certain style I'm not used to drawing and edit the base to however I want to get a basic shape for my character when drawing. Sometimes I'll draw digitally and use a free app I found to trace it onto paper for a pencil version I can hang on the wall after framing it.

That is such a cool idea with the projector so simple too !!

I love hand tracing, but I feel that using a projector can save me much more time, and it can help me be accurate in proportions.

I started using tracing when my was my art wasn't improving, and I still did little doodles and sketches, but until like a month ago I hadn't had an art style that fit me, me art style is imbetween realistic and cartoon, but it's mine, and I'm proud of it.

Having at least a reference to draw is one of the best ways to learn how to draw and then progress.

I thought you madre then by hand but YOURE STILL SO GOOD WITHOUT TRACING!!!!

I used to not like watercolor but i just started liking it all thx to you sir im ganna get a lot of the supplies that you use soon

I wish you had been around as a teacher/professor when I was going through art school. I think I would have been more adventurous and leaned into my favorite mediums more if I hadn't heard so much, "THIS is the way you need to do it." On a brighter note: I'm enjoying some rekindled *want* to make art again. ❤

The Scream is one of my favorite pieces of art

TBH i really like youre art style

Tracing is great practice for proportion practice or if you're working on your painting.

Yeah when I'm trying to practice painting as opposed to drawing I usually just trace, it's not that I can't draw its just that I don't have the patience, since I tend to like the painting more than the drawing parts of the process

Yes, it’s really helpful to be able to trace your reference every once in a while. I just recommend crediting the original artists especially if you plan on sharing it on the internet. Stealing art isn’t okay, but as Scott said learning from it is.

I just realised I have that but in a magnet form and your voice is so relaxing 😌!!!

I remember when I first got into art, (around 8th-9th grade) I would trace art from Steven universe because I really liked that show. My freehand art style started looking more and more like Steven Universe. However as time went on, I realized the true style I wanted my artwork to be, but hated that my art still resembled the Steven universe art style no matter how much I tried to practice and stray away from it. I just bought tracing paper and I want to have an art style similar to Dragon Ball Z and Young Justice. I really hope tracing will help my muscle memory so I can have a style I'm truly happy with because not much is working in the long run when I try without tracing.

OH MY GOD I NEED THAT PROJECTOR!!! i quit watercolor- err well shifted more to digital art since sketching on the watercolor paper is so difficult for me. this way I can continue sketching on digital but then transferring it on watercolor paper

Love your art style!

your videos honestly have such a good vibe to them :D i love your art!! it always makes my day

the projector is so cool!

Tracing helps you build that muscle memory, which you can apply to your own drawings

Something I often like to do it trazing rough poses, and then keeping that trazed reference to the side. Helps me avoid accidentally making it too similar and gives me the option to easily stylise it too, by slightly adjusting proportions but still keeping in mind how things like fingers or joints bend in this particular scenario.

That’s amazing advice I used to trace all the time and when I showed my friends they would say “have you been tracing again” or “that’s cheating” or “your so fake you need to start free handing otherwise you will never get better “ This video Has really told me to keep going for what I want to do Thank you Scott

Can you draw Pete G (aka the “Blind Surfer” it would also be a cool collab)

Hey! An electric Lazy Lucy! I used to use the LL in Art class! This is great! Thank you! 🥳💌

You have a point, tho I’m soo young and I draw everyday even at class, I found it as a hobby! I draw doodles and fruits!

What projector is that? Wanna know more about that setup. Finding that maybe something like that would be better for my Woodburning than messy transfer paper.

My first ever sketchbook I started just 4 days ago, I traced all of the drawings on it and was happy with none as I hated how it looked. Then slowly as the days go by, 2 days ago, i find myself tracing 1/5 of my sketches, then yesterday 1/8 (I could not get the face right), then today, none. I was so proud of myself, even though the entire drawing was upside down so I had to use transfer paper to move it right side up as I refuse to tear a page. When I started, I hated 5/5 of my drawings, then 1/5, now 0.

tracing is a great way to exercise muscle memory. I know so cause many times instead of making a fashion figure from scratch I'd just trace it and in the end I learned the proportions to do it free hand after having it done like this so many times. I study fashion design and clothing pattern drafting. some days I need a quick sketch of what I'm making, I'll trace the figure so I'll save time cause fashion figure isn't the star of the show anyway in what I do, or I'll trace my inspiration photo and then alter the original so I'll be quick.

I agree with you, I only draw the line when it comes to stealing/lying, or profiting from tracing without permission or giving credit etc

Hey Scott love how you teach us this and as always love your vids

Wow, this is a really good advice! Thank you, Scott!

Holy crap you are so talented ❤

I'm learning a lot from you sir! Thanks a lot!

That’s Zodiac by Alphonse Mucha!!! In my art class we chose an artist to do a project on. We make a sketch of one of their pieces then make our own interpretation of it. I chose Mucha but a different piece.❤️

You are really motivating and inspiring Thank you 😊👍👍

I remember I used to be in an art community online, and people there were COMPLETELY against tracing. Even if you traced part of a stock image and credited the stock image, people would hate comment anything you posted.

Thank you sooo much! This helps a lot 🤗

I love your view on art. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called a cheater for using references (not even tracing, just using a reference photo). I hope more people see your videos and learn that art doesn’t have to be this restricted, closed off medium. You’ve got such a good mentality and I aspire to be an artist like you someday! ^^

I often use tracing to get the general shape of something if the shape or perspective is weird, like when I was drawing someone holding a camera.

“Tracing is not cheating” Copyright laws: Am I a joke to you?

This is so awesome

Even though I don’t draw a lot these days, I can guarantee I wouldn’t draw at all if I hadn’t built up some confidence by tracing when I was younger! Drawing is something I get frustrated with easily (hence why I don’t do it a lot), so if I hadn’t started out with being able to make pictures that look good because I traced things, I just wouldn’t have drawn at all because I would have been stuck in the mentality of “everything I draw is ugly, so why should I bother?”

Tracing is a valuable tool! As long as you avoid using it for profit and you are transparent about having traced the piece (and who the original is by!), theres no issue!

I appreciate you so much right now. I painted for over 6 years and one day I was repeatedly told I was a crap artist because I have issues with proportions with humanoid figures. I really didnt do people, I stuck to Anime repro remastered and enlargements. I was so disheartened because I was already struggling due to health issues making my hands shake, so I quit my passion. After hearing you today I am going to try to begin again. With your thoughts I can know that just because I have to trace due to shaking I am not cheating. I am using a tool because of my disability. Thank You!

Awesome desk brother