The lines show up clean
In a dark room the outline is clear enough to trace fine details like hair. Exactly what I needed for portraits.
Jordan P. Β· Austin, TX

FAQ
No. It projects your sketch or reference image onto the surface, and you trace and paint every line by hand. It is a guide, not a printer.
Open your sketch or reference photo on your phone, tablet or laptop and display it through CanvasCast. Then aim, size and focus it on your surface.
Stretched canvas, canvas panels, paper, wood boards and walls. Aim the adjustable stand at the surface and move the projector closer or farther to change the size of the image.
Dim is best. Close the curtains or turn off the main light so the projected lines read clearly while you trace. You can switch the lights back on to paint.
Yes. Tracing a projected sketch is one of the easiest ways to get proportions right on your first big canvas, and plenty of professional muralists and portrait artists work the same way.
Mark the corners of the projected image with small pencil ticks before you start. If the projector moves, line the image back up with your marks and keep going.
Yes. You have 30 days to try CanvasCast. If it is not right for you, contact us within 30 days for a refund.
30-day guarantee
Use CanvasCast on your next canvas or wall. If it is not right for you, contact us within 30 days and we will refund you.
The shortcut
Getting proportions right is the hardest part of a big piece. Grids take hours, carbon paper smudges, and freehand scaling means erasing the same face five times.
CanvasCast puts your sketch exactly where it needs to go. Dim the room, aim the projector, and trace the lines you already designed.
How it works
Open your drawing, reference photo or lettering layout on your phone, tablet or laptop and display it through CanvasCast.
Tilt the stand toward your canvas or wall. Move the projector closer for a smaller image or farther back for a bigger one, then focus until the lines look sharp.
Dim the room and follow the outline with pencil, charcoal or paint. Every line on the canvas is drawn by you.
Why artists love it
Trace straight from your own sketch or reference, so faces, lettering and perspective land exactly where you planned.
Move the projector closer for a canvas panel or farther back for a mural. The image grows with the distance.
Skip the grid and the carbon paper. Spend your time on color, texture and brushwork instead of measuring.
CanvasCast only shows the outline. Every line and every brushstroke is still yours.
User guide
Six simple habits for faster, more accurate tracing on canvas, paper or walls.
Close the curtains or turn off the main light. The projected lines read clearest in a dim room.
Place CanvasCast straight in front of the middle of your surface so the sketch does not stretch at the edges.
Closer means smaller, farther means bigger. Find the size you want before you start tracing.
Adjust the focus until thin lines are sharp from corner to corner.
Do not bump the projector or the easel while you trace. Mark the four corners of the image with light pencil ticks so you can line it back up if something moves.
Use light strokes first. Turn the projector off now and then to see your lines on their own, then refine.
In the studio
Spare bedroom, garage studio or the corner of the living room. CanvasCast works wherever you paint.
Side by side
| Feature | CanvasCast | Grid & carbon paper |
|---|---|---|
| Get proportions right on the first try | β | β |
| No grid to draw and erase | β | β |
| Scale up to a full wall | β | β |
| Switch sketches in seconds | β | β |
| Every line drawn by hand | β | β |
In a dark room the outline is clear enough to trace fine details like hair. Exactly what I needed for portraits.
Jordan P. Β· Austin, TX
I was about to hire someone. Projected the whale on the wall and painted it over two weekends. He loves it.
Ashley T. Β· Raleigh, NC
It lives on my desk next to my sketchbook. The remote means I can adjust things without walking back and forth.
Megan S. Β· Portland, OR
Getting the eyes and nose in the right place used to take me forever. Now the outline is right in minutes and I spend my time on the fur.
Tyler M. Β· Columbus, OH
I sketch small and project it up to full size on my drawing board. Saves me a whole redraw.
Ben W. Β· Minneapolis, MN
My landscapes always ended up lopsided. I traced the horizon and mountains first and the whole painting came together.
Rachel D. Β· Denver, CO
Perfect for big quote canvases. Works best with the room really dark, so I trace at night.
Hannah R. Β· Asheville, NC
I never thought I could get a cottage scene proportioned right. Traced it in an hour and I have been painting every night since.
Linda K. Β· Scottsdale, AZ