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The NeoLucida is a drawing aid that lets you trace what you see.  

It’s a modern reinterpretation of the camera lucida, an optical drawing tool popular in the days before photography was invented. 

 
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NeoLucida is on YouTube! Find how-to videos and answers to frequently asked questions on our brand new channel.


Get a NeoLucida.

FREE worldwide shipping! 


  • Clamp your NeoLucida onto a sturdy table or drawing board and make still-life drawings, portraits, landscapes, and even copies of other drawings! See Using the NeoLucida for more information

  • The NeoLucida and NeoLucida eyepiece use different optical surfaces to create a ghost image of your subject that appears to float over your paper. Learn more at How it Works

  • Out of the box, both the NeoLucida and NeoLucida XL can draw up to US Tabloid (11”x17”)/A3 size. The size of the ghost image depends on the height of the eyepiece. Clamp the NeoLucida to a shelf or extended tripod for larger images. With a custom set up, you can draw much larger! See “Know the Limits” at the bottom of the Using the NeoLucida page for more information.

  • Even if you use corrective lenses (glasses, contact lenses), you can use the NeoLucida and NeoLucida XL. You have to place your eye fairly close to the eyepiece, so your glasses might touch the eyepiece during use. You only use one eye when using the NeoLucida, so if you have issues with binocular vision/depth perception, you can still use the NeoLucida.

NeoLucida

The award-winning device that started it all! This is the original prism NeoLucida. Compact and non-electronic, the ghost image is sharp and bright! Includes storage pouch.

Ages 9+ 

US $59

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NeoLucida XL

The mirror-and-glass NeoLucida XL is designed with a portable, folding extra-large viewer. Includes light-balancing shader and storage pouch. 

Ages 7+

US $89

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NEW! NeoLucida Deluxe

The all-new NeoLucida Deluxe kit is the ultimate NeoLucida experience! Two NeoLucidas in one custom case with room for all your art supplies!

What’s included with the NeoLucida Plus?

  • NeoLucida Plus Eyepiece with Adjustable Arm

  • NeoLucida XL Eyepiece

  • Special Edition Blackwing X NeoLucida Pencils (Set of 3)

  • The NeoLucida Drawing Guide (Print Edition)

  • Instruction Booklets

  • Custom Hard Shell Case

Ages 9+

US $159

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NEW! NeoLucida Plus

The all-new NeoLucida Plus is a prism NeoLucida with integrated features to help even beginners and experienced artists alike.

Ages 9+

US $89

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Blackwing X NeoLucida Special Edition Pencils

We have teamed up with Blackwing to celebrate ten years of NeoLucida to make these Special Edition BLACKWING X NEOLUCIDA pencils. If you’ve ever used a Blackwing pencil, you know they are probably the best pencils ever made!

These special edition pencils come in three graphite formulations: Firm, Balanced, and Soft (corresponding to Blackwing’s “602,” “Pearl,” and “Matte”).

Pack of 12 Blackwing X NeoLucida Pencils

US $35

Learn More →


Billing and shipping are managed by Big Idea Design, NeoLucida’s official manufacturing partners.

What happens when two art professors revive an obsolete art technology? 

Learning to draw is frustrating. 

 

Even if you’re good at it, drawing can still be frustrating. Both the NeoLucida and the NeoLucida XL are simple technologies that may make learning to draw a little less discouraging, and perhaps a little less intimidating. As a modern reinterpretation of the camera lucida—a 19th century optical drawing aid—the NeoLucida is part of a rich history of drawing technologies aimed at helping people draw.

As someone who likes to draw, and has drawn consistently since I was little, I was surprised by how many people were drawn to (pun intended) these tools I make. Despite high resolution smartphone cameras in our pockets, people like to draw, and a lot of people have the desire to learn to draw.

So what is The NeoLucida Project all about?

  1. Reviving historical art technologies that help people draw, in order to:

  2. Demystify drawing and explore how people—past and present—learn to draw.

Drawing accurately from life is not a superhuman ability reserved for "gifted" artists. Armed with a little knowledge and a lot of practice, I believe anyone can learn to draw. Tools like the NeoLucida might help getting started a little less frustrating. 


Who’s behind this project? The original NeoLucida was created by art professors Pablo Garcia and Golan Levin, after long conversations about art and technology and history. NeoLucida is manufactured in partnership with Big Idea Design. In 2013, 11,406 Kickstarter backers made the original NeoLucida possible. In 2017, Pablo launched the completely redesigned NeoLucida XL, supported by 5,229 backers on Kickstarter.


The NeoLucida was named WINNER of the Best DIY Designs of the Year by CORE77!



 
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