Using a light box and getting out of your own way

Pencil Pals Problem Page

Dear Helen,

Can you advise me? I have a light box and would like to place watercolour paper over pen drawings on cartridge-like paper below, and to then paint (watercolour) within those lines. The problem is I can’t see the lines below through my paper even when it’s thinner. Is my light box not good enough!? Or is there a trick I’m not aware of?

Sheena Davies

Sheena’s picture book making journey.

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Hi Sheena,

Thanks for your question. Good news, yes there is a trick!

But first let’s start with the basics.

What is a light box?

It’s a big flat plastic box full of light, lined with some sort of filter, like tracing paper, to dissipate the light (aren’t you lucky, I am a tech wizard AND a master of language!)