Whether it's because you're having trouble perfecting an image or just want to copy an image quickly, tracing is the quickest and easy way to get an exact copy of an image. There are many ways to trace, including tracing paper, carbon paper, or light boxes. Each way has advantages and disadvantages. Read the guide below for detailed instructions on each method.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Tracing Paper
Step 1. Prepare the papers
Tracing paper is very thin paper, almost as thin as tissue paper. Therefore, this paper is see-through. Place the image you want to trace on the table, and apply insulation at each corner to hold it in position. Then place your tracing paper over the image. You can also hold it in isolation, or leave it alone so you can move it while tracing.
Step 2. Trace the outline of the drawing
With a pencil, trace the lines on the shape of your drawing. Don't worry about adding other colors or shading. Just focus on drawing a line on the image. Make sure you include all the details in the picture.
Step 3. Cover the back of the tracing paper with graphite
When you're done tracing the image, remove the tape and turn the tracing paper over. Using a soft graphite pencil (such as a 6B or 8B pencil), color in all areas of the lines you have drawn on the back of the paper. Make sure you layer the pencil thick enough to be enough to complete the next step.
Step 4. Put the paper back on the table
Glue the paper where you want to draw the trace onto the table. Then, flip your tracing paper over so that the part you colored with the pencil is at the bottom, then place it on top of the paper you just laid out. Be careful not to burn the paper too much because that will make the pencil stick to the blank paper underneath.
Step 5. Trace the outline once again
Take a pencil or pen, then trace the outline again with medium to strong pressure. When you do this, the graphite you put behind the tracing paper will be traced onto the blank drawing paper below. Continue to follow the outline of the drawing is complete.
Step 6. Finish your drawing
After following the outline a second time, you can lift the tracing paper up and see your final traced image on the drawing paper below. At this stage, fill in any lines you may have missed, and add color or other details as desired.
Method 2 of 3: Using Carbon Paper
Step 1. Layer your paper
To trace using carbon paper, you will need three types of paper: paper with the image you want to trace, carbon paper, and blank drawing paper. Place the three on the table with the blank drawing paper on the bottom, then the carbon paper on top (with the graphite/carbon side down), and your drawing on the top.
Step 2. Trace the outline of the drawing
Use a sharp pen or pencil to carefully trace your drawing. As you press with a pencil or pen, the graphite or carbon will print onto the blank paper below. Make sure you include all the details you want in the image, and avoid shading or rubbing on the image.
Step 3. Perfect the image
When you're sure you've traced all the main components to the drawing, lift the drawing and the carbon paper. At this stage, make changes or additions to your tracing as desired. You can then shade or color your image if you want.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Light Box
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients
Place the light box on a table (or lap, depending on how you want to work), and place your picture on it. Isolate the corner of the image, and place your blank drawing paper on top of it. Also glue the insulation on the drawing paper, and turn on the light in the light box. If your drawing is not very thick paper, you should be able to see the image from your blank drawing paper.
Step 2. Trace the outline of the drawing
Trace the lines on the important parts of the drawing carefully using the pencil. Since you don't have to lift or move any paper except the paper you're tracing, you can shade while tracing the outline if you'd like.
Step 3. Finish the drawing
Turn off the light in the light box to see if you missed any part of the picture. If you miss something, turn on the light again, complete and perfect the picture. When you're done tracing, you can add color, shading, or additional detail with or without using lightboxes.
Tips
- Using tracing paper is the cheapest way, but the most time consuming and difficult.
- If you don't have a light box, you can stick a picture and blank paper on the surface of the window pane on a sunny day for the same effect.
