Feel like getting crafty this long weekend? Jarrad Wild, one of our full-time teachers based in Brisbane, shows us how to put together a lightbox for under $25. This lightbox is perfect for drawing, tracing, and hand-lettering. Best of all, it’s dead easy to make yourself.
STEP 1. Start with a plan. Draw out exactly what you want to make so you understand what materials are going to be required. I already had a piece of glass lying around so I created my diagram to match the size of this.
Step 2. Gather the materials together. These can be purchased from your local hardware store, or alternatively a good source for cheap wood is recycled wooden crates. I purchased the following from Bunnings for under $25. These sizes are purely a guide – you can make the frame to any length you wish.
Materials
• 1 x 2.4M Pine Wood
• 30MM pack of screws
• 8 pack of Sand Paper (not too course)
• 1 x 40mm wide by 600mm in length
• 1 fluorescent light (with power plug and switch)
• Glass or Perspex top
Tools you’ll need:
• Measuring Tape
• Drill
• Hand Saw or Jigsaw
• Ruler
Step 3. Measure out each of the edges using a tape measure to ensure they are all exactly to size. I used 50cm long edges and 35cm short edges to match the piece of glass I already had. Make marks on either side of the timber to align the ruler to and square off a cutting mark.
Step 4. Cut the timber down using a jig saw or hand saw, ensuring the straightest possible cut. Sand down the edges to ensure a smooth finish and aim for a level edge.
Step 5. Cut down the 40mm wide piece of wood to be 35cm in length, as this is going to act as the support to secure the light source.
Step 6. Using the thickness of the pine wood as a guide, measure half the distance into the side of the wood to mark holes to drill. In my case the wood was 16mm thick, so I measured 8mm in from the edge and marked out two spots to drill. Drill through the wood with a small drill bit to make it easier to fix the screws.
Step 7. Once the holes have been created on each piece of timber, fix the frame together by using the 30mm screws.
Step 8. After creating the frame, drill two holes on either side of the longer edges in the middle, this is where the middle support will be fixed so we can position the light source. After marking these out, attach the support piece using the 30mm screws.
Step 9. Fix the bracket for the Fluorescent light to the support beam through the middle using the 30mm screws, and then attach the light.
Step 10. Using a hand saw/jig saw, cut a small groove in to one side of the frame to allow room for the power cable to run through. After this give the groove and the entire frame a light sand.
Step 11. Stick a velcro tab on to each corner of the top of the frame, and in a corresponding position on the bottom of the glass/perspex. This ensures the top is easily removable without shifting whilst drawing. Stick a following 4-8 soft pieces of velcro to the bottom to ensure it doesn’t scratch or rub when on hard surfaces.
Step 12. And voila!! You have a lightbox! Plug it in and start drawing.
NB: You could additionally give the wood a coat of linseed oil to give it a richer colour. Also, after using this with a single fluorescent light source, I found it more optimal to use either a round fluorescent tube or to daisy chain 3 lights together to give a more even light source whilst drawing.
