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MrClean · February 2013

Ok I have a question for all the artsy-fartsies on VP

I love to sketch, draw and paint using all sorts of mediums, from chalk pastels to watercolor to graphite. I'm not really into the digital art but I still like to share my art online. The issue I'm having is that I can't seem to figure out how to best capture my acrylic paintings. A scanner or camera works for everything else, but neither method is ideal for acrylic. Scanners create a certain shine on the paint from the light, which gives the colors a bleached affect. My digital camera can't seem to catch the texture I put into my art unless I use the flash, but of course the flash leaves a big bright spot somewhere in the picture. Any ideas?

SC`s Stars II · February 2013

I have the same issue. I've found the easiest thing is to take the photo in a room with a lot of natural light. Not direct sunlight, but just a room that is bright during the day. Acrylics are difficult to capture, I understand your pain haha ^.^

Troglin · February 2013

I agree with Bobo - use unobstructed, natural lighting if possible. If the natural lighting is filtering through heavily colored curtains or lowered blinds, you might get uneven color tones and odd dark spots. If natural lighting isn't possible, you will want to try and get broad white lights that will not affect the color. Flash will always disrupt the color, even if you manage to get a shot without the flare on the painting. (Flash creates uneven shadows/highlights.) I would also recommend taking the photos at a longer distance. Prop the painting up and step back several feet -- use the zoom mechanism on your camera to get a closer image. Don't zoom all of the way in though - make sure you've got excess on all sides that you can crop out later. If you're too close (either physically or with zoom), the camera can distort the brush strokes, color, and image overall. If you have a tripod, it might make it easier on you, as the image will be level. You might have to adjust the ISO to a lower setting, and you might have to fiddle with the white balance. It depends upon your camera, the lighting, and the painting itself. Don't be afraid to play with the camera's settings -- and you can always edit the colors/tones slightly in a photo-editing software if you've missed something.

MrClean · February 2013

That's awesome advice Ana thanks!

tarnish · February 2013

I've done 2 acrylics and I used a camera to get mine online. I archive all my art on my computer in case something happens to the physical copies. I do exactly what Ana said. I wait for a time in the day where I get a lot of nice natural light, turn off the flash, prop it up on something, and take a picture from a distance zooming in. I also use a stand so that it decreases the movement so there is no blur. I own a tripod and monopod and use them a lot for my final shots of the art.

But yeah, as Ana said, play around! Try all the settings. You may find certain settings are better for you than others

Can't wait to see your art!

MrClean · February 2013

Thanks tarnish... I've been playing around with different settings on my camera and the lighting in different rooms. I might have to retake pictures of my older art! Right now you can see all the art I have digitally captured here: <a href="http://bryson1013.deviantart.com/"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://bryson1013.deviantart.com/</a>; :-) I'm working on a project now where I paint representations of my gifties, and my first one has been giving me trouble (the subtle hues and textures are nearly impossible to catch on camera). I think I've finally got it, it'll be up soon :-)

MrClean · February 2013

Here's a picture of the first painting in my "Gifties series" (which is still in progress). "Venus, Rising Before the Sun" <a href="http://bryson1013.deviantart.com/#/art/Venus-Rising-Before-the-Sun-354226383?_sid=1122574e"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://bryson1013.deviantart.com/#/art/Venus-Rising-Before-the-Sun-354226383?_sid=1122574e</a> I still have to play around with the lighting and angles, but at least I got a picture with no glare :-)

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