A rostrum holds the camera directly over your artwork (similar to a photographer's copy stand) and can be moved closer and further. Two lamps should provide even light at around 45° angles to your work.

rostrum rostrum

Most animation software will turn your image upside-down, which makes working with a tripod easier.

Tripod

A carefully positioned tripod can work quite well in place of a rostrum, however it is tricky not to knock it during filming, so endeavour to get the tripod behind your table and use the upside down facility in your animation software. Take care to get the camera as directly over your work as possible.

A rostrum being used for animation

Kaiser rostrums are some of the nicest you can get. This set up is one of their simplest, although its still quite pricey; however you can order bits by themselves direct from Firstcall Photographic, and use just the lamps. The problem with regular anglepoise lamps is they get hot and don't always stay in the same place.

kaiser rostrum copy / stand kaiser rostrum copy / stand

Of course there are a number of cheaper ways of getting a web-cam over your work. Here is one that we have tested with using the HUE webcam.

Hue webcam used as a cheap rostrum A hue webcam being used as a super cheap rostrum