Hand Painted French Dresser Using an Overhead Projector

This dresser was originally a plain white dixie dresser which was first painted a gloss navy blue, and then hand painted with gold flowers using an overhead projector.  The pattern of the flowers was taken off of the IKEA pattern from their cardboard storage boxes.

An overhead projector typically consists [...]]]>

Hand Painted French Dresser Using an Overhead Projector

This dresser was originally a plain white dixie dresser which was first painted a gloss navy blue, and then hand painted with gold flowers using an overhead projector.  The pattern of the flowers was taken off of the IKEA pattern from their cardboard storage boxes.

An overhead projector typically consists of a large box containing a very bright lamp and a fan to cool it. On top of the box is a large fresnel lens that collimates the light. Above the box, typically on a long arm, is a mirror and lens that focuses and redirects the light forward instead of up.

Transparencies are clear pieces of plastic with images or writing on them which are placed on top of the lens for display. The light from the lamp travels through the transparency and into the mirror where it is shone forward onto a screen for display. The mirror allows both the presenter and the audience to see the image at the same time, the presenter looking down at the transparency as if writing, the audience looking forward at the screen. The height of the mirror can be adjusted, to both focus the image and to make the image larger or smaller depending on how close the projector is to the screen.

Projectors are old fashioned tools for classrooms that are out of date with the technology of computers.  In fact, it is very rare to see them used in classroom settings anymore.

Though they can be a painters best friend.

Sometimes it can be very difficult to paint an image over the lip of a dresser top, or on rounded surfaces such as table legs.  If you feel as though you are not talented enough to do a very complicated pattern, you are certainly not alone.

For a painter such as myself who wants a finish to be top notch, and doesn't have the years experience of hand painting, an overhead projector is the perfect cheat tool.  It allows you to transfer any image, at the size you want perfectly saving you time and energy.

Copy your favorite graphics from books and magazines onto furniture with perfection.