Painting from a Monitor instead of a Print - Page 2

Garth Herrick · 09-07-2004, 12:34 PM

Elizabeth, and everyone,

The new Apple monitors come as large as 30 inches (less scrolling; see the whole width of your portrait at once)!!! But they are probably too expensive and precious to use at an easel, at least for most of us. It's okay to dream of having one, isn't it?

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....2.1.3.0.0.1.0

Another option to consider is the all-new iMac G5. This is a self contained 2 inch thick machine with a built in flatscreen 17 inch or 20 inch display:

http://www.apple.com/imac/

Garth

Linda Nelson · 09-07-2004, 12:48 PM

This winter I bought a Sony Viao laptop, which I set next to my easel and use as reference instead of prints. I still make prints, but as a complement to the laptop. I have black and white and other variations all on file, and so can flip amongst them as needed. Having multiple versions I think helps me break free from just "copying" too literally any one version.

I completely love it. It is much more accurate and flexible than using prints alone. I particularly like being able to zoom in at out as I work through the canvas. I also like that I can just turn the image off altogether, and paint without any references - just concentrate on the painting by itself and work on it as you see in front of you.

Another bonus is that this has dramatically cut down on my printing costs (photo paper is expensive!) and the HOURS of wasted labor getting prints that are satisfactory to use.

I bought the sony viao in particular because of the screen - it has a great contrast ratio.

Since it's a laptop, I can also bring it to the client, and show them the initial layouts for their approval - again circumventing the wasted time of making a print to show them. I still show them prints as well, but the monitor can help the approval process.

my next big purchase eventually will be to get a HUGE flatscreen monitor - so that I can make the image even larger and therefore step back from the canvas better.

Timothy C. Tyler · 02-15-2005, 10:47 AM

I have a dumb question regarding these monitor's horizontal orientation. Can you turn it on its side?

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-15-2005, 03:49 PM

I went shopping recently for a flatscreen to hook up to my wife's Sony laptop. Sony said I could plug a monitor to her model, but someone at BestBuy told me I could'nt because it did'nt have a monitor port. I was also told (not including Apple, as they do not carry them) that the CRT are far superior to the flatscreens. They looked it. I myself have never seen the Apple in person, so I can't compare. I might invest in a refurbished 22" CRT monitor until I can afford something better.

Linda, your Sony must be newer and better than my wife's because I can't see a great image unless I'm directly in front of it, which gets annoying. It's still better than a print, but setting it up to view is extra work.

Tim, I believe the widescreen monitors can be viewed vertically originally intended to view documents in whole.

Linda Nelson · 02-15-2005, 03:52 PM

My computer is a laptop, so I can rest it on its side if desired (I never have though, as it would make accessing the keyboard more difficult).

My mother's computer monitor (samsung Syncmaster 213T) IS a truly pivoting monitor, with a neck to swivel the monitor from horizontal to vertical. The software she added to her computer to tell it to orient the screen vertical or horizontal is called Pivot Pro.

Timothy C. Tyler · 02-15-2005, 06:25 PM

I may try this in the future. I think I'll use life and photos with it because as someone noted our subjects are not inner lighted in reality. I can't imagine the adjustments in store especially in the darks.

Tony Pro · 02-16-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy C. Tyler

I have a dumb question regarding these monitor's horizontal orientation. Can you turn it on it's side?

TIm

I use a Viewsonic digital flat screen monitor to paint from. It has a DVI input which is the highest quality input possiple. AND it rotates from portrait to landscape... this is the only substitute to painting from life that I will do. The color and clarity is so real looking. I don't like painting from photos to start with but since we all have to at some point this is THE only way to do it.

Tony

Elizabeth Schott · 02-17-2005, 12:37 AM

Tim they do make monitors that rotate, I am not sure if they are as good as the new generation of mac flat screens.

As Linda said, you just turn your PowerBook on the side. Once you do, you'll never go back! Why would you when you can manipulate and zoom in quadzillion percent?

Sorry, I can't attest to the quality of the picture in picture!

Beth

Timothy C. Tyler · 02-17-2005, 07:59 PM

Tony and Beth, I was just thinking I'd roll it over onto its side. I don't think it would care and I know I wouldn't-or I could just turn the painting over!!

Elizabeth Schott · 02-17-2005, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timothy C. Tyler

Tony and Beth, I was just thinking I'd roll it over onto it's side. I don't think it would care and I know I wouldn't-or I could just turn the painting over!!

True Tim, but what is really sad is when you try and find the zoom key on your canvas so you can blow it up 1600 percent too!

Old age eyes - you have to love them!