All About Epidiascopes for Artists

The hand-painted walls look attractive and unusual. Such works are performed by artists with a high level of professionalism. Epidiascopes are used to make it easier to transfer the sketch to a large surface. The devices greatly simplify the initial process. Thanks to the projector, the work itself gets done faster.

Epidiascopic projection apparatus is needed to transfer a sketch from a small sheet to a plane with a large area. Modern devices are compact and easy to use. The projector serves as a kind of assistant for the artist. The original sketch is still drawn by hand, but transferring it to scale with an epidiascope is much easier.

There is a lamp inside the case. The light source emits a directional flux that spreads evenly inside the projector. Part of the light goes to the condenser, while the other is first reflected by the reflector, and then only sent there. As a result, all rays are collected by a specular reflector and are uniformly directed to the frame window. This is where the sketch or picture is located.

Light rays pass through the projected object and hit the lens. The latter enlarges the picture and broadcasts it to the wall. In this case, there is a heat filter between the lenses of the condenser. It protects the drawing from infrared rays.

There is also a cooling system that does not allow the epidiascope to overheat. Modern models may have additional automatic and semi-automatic elements. They usually allow you to control focus. As a result, you can adjust the sharpness of the picture, which is broadcast by the device.

The epidiascope is quite simple. A drawing, a sketch is placed inside. Simple steps are required to activate.

The artist can only trace the lines, draw the contours. Of course, a professional can do this kind of work without a projector... The device is not a necessity, it is only an auxiliary tool. With its help, work at the initial stage progresses much faster. The artist simply does not waste energy on insignificant actions.

It should be noted that in art schools, at first, projectors were banned, like calculators for young schoolchildren. The student hones his skill to be able to quickly sketch any drawing "by hand". Only when mastering complex techniques is it allowed to translate the contours with the help of an epidiascope. However, the artist draws the initial image on a sheet of paper himself.

The principle of using a projector is quite simple. Step-by-step instruction.

1. Place the epidiascope on a table or on a stand at a certain distance from the wall.
2. Ground the device, plug it in and remove the protective cap from the lens.
3. Lower the stage. Put a drawing, sketch on it. The bottom of the epiobject should face the wall.
4. Press the stage against the projector body.
5. Switch on forced cooling and the lamp for broadcasting the image.
6. Move the lens until the picture is as clear as possible.
7. By changing the position of the legs, set the projection to the desired height.
8. Start hovering the path.

A good epidiascope projector greatly simplifies the artist's job of transferring a sketch to the wall. The criteria for his choice.

1. Contact surface. This characteristic determines which sheet to draw the initial sketch on. For example, 15 by 15 cm is enough for transferring small drawings or fragments of a composition. For a complete picture, it is better to choose a device with a working surface of about 28 x 28 cm.
2. The projection distance and size of the resulting object. Everything is clear. It is important to know how to move the projector away from the wall and what size the projection will be. The last parameter is configurable. For example, it is convenient to use an epidiascope that broadcasts a picture with a width of 1 to 2.5 meters.
3. Dimensions and weight. It is important to understand here that the higher the capabilities of the device, the heavier it is. So, for relatively small drawings, you can take a compact projector that is easy to carry. Epidiascopes with impressive performance can weigh up to 20 kg.
4. Additional options. Adjustable feet and tilt correction allow you to comfortably place your drawing on the wall without moving the projector itself. Overheating protection will protect the epidemioscope from premature failure. There are other options that may be required in different situations.
5. Features of the lens. Its quality affects the projection result. So, usually a lens is made of three glass lenses. Also pay attention to the focal length.

It happens that the epidiascope is needed only once, and you don't want to buy it. Or the artist has not yet decided whether it is convenient for him to interact with this technology.

The scheme of the device is quite simple. You can even preview the drawings.

Necessary materials:

• a magnifier or lens from an old diascope;
• wood square with fasteners;
• can;
• lamp with wire and switch.

Before starting, you should be patient, there is a painstaking task ahead.

1. You should start with a square. Two wooden planks should be fixed so that there is a 90 ° angle between them. Attach the lens and tin can mount to the finished square. It is she who will direct the flow of light in the finished product.
2. Place the lens or magnifier on the mount. Opposite the lens, place the picture upside down.
3. Make a hole in a tin can and fix a light bulb of a suitable size inside. Attach the structure to the square. The light should fall on the picture.
4. It's time to test the device. To begin with, you should darken the room as much as possible.
5. Turn on the lamp and position the projector in the desired location. For the test, you can simply place a sheet of paper on a stand in front of a homemade device.
6. As a result, a projection of the enlarged picture will appear.

How to apply a picture on a wall using a projector, see the video.