Debra Keirce

Lately I've been posting time-lapse videos of myself painting, and the instructor of a workshop I just hosted. Lots of folks have been asking how I do it, and it occurred to me that whether you are an artist or a collector, you might be interested in seeing this. It's incredibly easy once you assemble everything.

I started by purchasing / gathering these things:

An iPad

A photography light tripod stand I bought for $12 from Amazon at this link: 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A5CGV1Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A length of pvc 3/4" tubing I got from Home Depot (my favorite place to shop.) You only need a foot, but they are sold in 10 ft lengths. I cut three 4 inch lengths from a longer tube, on my scroll saw. Doesn't everyone have pic tubing scraps and a scroll saw in their basement?  You should!

Two left over painting starts on 4 inch Ampersand gessobord panels. This is what happens to miniature paintings I start and then realize I won't ever be finishing. But, you could just cut yourself some 4 inch square masonite panels... Using that scroll saw and some scrap masonite you have hanging around in your basement. Any thin, strong board will do.

Two utility clamps, found in the hardware section of your local Home Depot

An iPad holder I bought on Amazon. Here is a link to one that is similar to the one I have. 

https://www.amazon.com/Arkon-Heavy-Tablet-Galaxy-Retail/dp/B00BCSYZVY/ref=sr_1_cc_7?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1479124979&sr=1-7-catcorr&keywords=table+mount+clamp+on+iPad+holder

In writing this post, I found this one that clamps directly to the light stand and is supposed to swivel. I haven't tried it, but if you do, let me know. You could avoid getting the wood panels and clamps I described above.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01A5CGV1Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Once assembled, this is what your set up looks like:

The reason I use the 3 pieces of pvc clamped between boards, is so I can easily swivel the iPad to get the best view. I use the same contraption for the clamp light I use to light my still life set ups.

Speaking of clamp lights, you should buy one from - you guessed it - Home Depot. You can see one in the center of the middle photo above. Use a daylight spectrum light bulb in it, and shine it on your subject as you take the time-lapse video.

I downloaded the Lapse It Pro app on my iPad. I paid the $2.99 instead of using the free one, because with pro, you can adjust the exposure of the video capture.

The rest is easy. Point the iPad at your subject, choose New Capture, and shoot. When finished, press stop. You need to rotate the iPad to a vertical orientation to access the controls. Then you can render your video and publish it to You Tube or social media, save it to your camera, etc. I use the default setting of one frame every 5 seconds but you can set the capture and playback speed to whatever you choose. 

Have fun, and I hope to see some of the videos YOU record!  Here is one of mine from the painting I'm currently working on - "Sips"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_IYINPRjMA