Is Using a Projector for Art Cheating? Why There Is No Right Way to Create
Recently, I shared a post on Instagram that walked through a little of my painting process. I showed how I prepare my canvas with gesso, project my reference image onto the surface, trace it and then begin painting.
Well, let me tell you—that post certainly got people talking. LOL.
There was so much wonderful support from artists who use projectors themselves, appreciated seeing my process or simply believe that we should all be able to create in whatever way works for us.
But then, of course, the negative Nellies came out of the woodwork.
Apparently, using a projector means I’m cheating. That I’m not a real artist. That I should go to art school. You name it, someone probably said it.
And honestly, it got me thinking:
Would these people really rather someone not create at all than use a tool that helps them create?
Why I Use a Projector for Painting
Here’s the thing: I don’t need to use a projector.
I have strong foundational drawing skills, and I am perfectly capable of drawing my images onto the canvas myself. But right now, with everything else I have going on in my life, my time is limited.
I want to spend more of that time painting rather than drawing.
That’s it. It really is that simple.
Using a projector allows me to reach the part of the process that I am most excited about right now. Why shouldn’t I use a tool that helps me do that?
A projector doesn’t paint the painting for me. I still need to understand color, values, composition, edges, brushwork and all the other decisions involved in creating a painting.
If you have ever painted over a projected drawing, you also know that things can shift and become distorted along the way. You still need to recognize what is happening and make adjustments as you work.
Is Using a Projector Cheating?
No. A projector is simply another tool an artist can choose to use.
It can help transfer a reference image onto a surface, but it does not make the artistic decisions or complete the painting. The artist is still responsible for the composition, color, values, edges, brushwork and interpretation of the subject.
But here’s what I really want to say:
Even if I didn’t have those drawing skills, why should that stop me from creating?
Why should anyone feel ashamed of using a tool that helps them do something they love?
Creating art brings me so much joy. It helps with my anxiety. It gives me something to look forward to, something to get lost in and something that is just for me.
There are so many wonderful things that art has brought into my life, and I cannot imagine where I would be without it.
I know many of you feel the same way.
There Is Room for Every Creative Process
As an artist and educator, one of the things I care about most is making art accessible to more people.
I want people to discover processes that work for them—processes that help them feel confident and excited to sit down and create again.
If using a projector helps someone overcome the intimidation of drawing, wonderful.
If tracing helps someone get started, great.
If someone loves drawing every line freehand, I think that is wonderful, too.
There is room for all of it.
I would much rather spend my time creating, learning, encouraging and cheering other artists on than policing how someone else chooses to make their art.
At the end of the day, what matters most to me is that we keep creating.
Find the Process That Works for You
We are all different. We have different abilities, interests, amounts of time and reasons for making art in the first place.
What works beautifully for one person may not work for another—and that’s okay.
If you have ever felt as though you weren’t a real artist because of the tools you use, the classes you take, the references you work from or the way you approach your paintings, I hope you’ll let that go.
Find a process you love. Use the tools that help you. Keep learning, experimenting and, most importantly, creating.
Don’t let someone else’s rules steal the joy from something you love.
Want to Learn How to Use a Projector?
If you would like help choosing and using a projector in your own creative process, my Starting Smart class walks you through the process and shares some of my favorite projectors. The class is available for $29.
Happy creating!
❤️ Kara
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