Hello wonderful Zoom artists!!!
Here are some notes to consider when you are setting up a painting area at home:
Here are some notes to consider when you are setting up a painting area at home:
- MAKE SURE YOU READ THE DIRECTIONS THAT COME WITH YOUR EASEL!!!!
- You should be able to sit up straight without hunching over. All the easels you have have adjustable heights for standing or sitting. Also make sure the angle of your easel is more upright than slanted. My teacher used to tip here easel (a heavy one like mine in the cellar) forward so she would have less glare from the light.
- You do not need 400 watts of light so you can be seen from space!!!!! 40 or 60 watt bulbs are enough. One light to light your painting and your paint area is enough.
- Lefties - light should come from directly overhead behind you or from the right - so that your painting hand doesn't cast a shadow on your painting.
- Righties - light should come from directly overhead behind you or from the left - so that your painting hand doesn't cast a shadow on your painting
- Cameras - Laptop cameras are "pretty much junk." So says "Zoom for Dummies." I bought a little video camera for about $40. It attaches to a USB port on my laptop and clips to the top of my laptop or monitor.
- Camera should be mid chest up. In other words - no butt shots. So find something high to rest your laptop or mobile device on. Do not sit too close to the camera. In order for me to see your paintings clearly (besides investing in a cheap video camera), the camera should be directly facing the painting. I can't tell you how hard it is for me to see the distorted angles. I do not need to see your painting while you are painting it. I only need to see it when you need help or I stop by. Also, some of your cameras are really far from your paintings. Maybe play with your set up a little bit.
- Check out my set up. I have a moveable, adjustable cart for my easel and palette, a moveable cart with my supplies, a little bitty camera on top of my monitor facing my painting, skylight is on my left as I paint during the day. At night I have a spotlight on a high, photographic tripod that I can move to my left.
The desk and cart I have were inexpensive but very versatile for what I need right now.
- Make sure you UPDATE YOUR ZOOM APP! Just don't do it right before a meeting. Also a good idea to test your microphone and speaker before you enter Zoom. Look in your settings button. Get used to your devices. Yes, it is a royal paint but I promise you we all need to be doing this these days.
- See you in class!