This is a specialist computer display question; I do some commissioned artwork on the side, specifically I sketch portraits and other artwork for people on my art table on large high quality paper. I always use my laptop to view the model of the art; people send me photos/pics, and I zoom them fairly large and look at the laptop screen as my model, sketching the subject with pencil bit by bit as I go, then move the image, zooming in and out, adjusting, as I keep going. My old laptop is ready to kick the bucket and it's just an old LCD screen with lots of glare and I need a lot of light while working. I'm always switching my vision from my screen to my art paper so glare can really hurt/give headaches. Is there any display you can recommend that's easy on the eyes, high quality enough to zoom in very well and get lots of detail, and still rich enough that shadows/colours are distinguished?

Specifically; matte screens are something I've looked at, as they reduce the glare, but I'm worried they'll compromise the sharpness and deepness of blacks, etc. I've also considered a Macbook Pro option since I need a whole new computer anyway; are they really that much better than a PC, and are the retina displays they have now good for my kind of work? I'd appreciate your thoughts/recommendations. Thank you!

From what your saying it really looks like your going to need a "custom" laptop. It can get expensive but on the plus side you can get exactly what you want. One thing for sure to look for is a 4k display. A laptop that contains a decent video card and you should be all set. What is your budget? The type IM thinking of will run between 2,000 and 3,000 usd. Not cheap by any means but will last you.

Thanks; that's within my budget; I was hoping to get away with anything under $2500 or so. I know the Dell XPS 15 has gotten good reviews for its display but it's a glossy reflective screen from what I've read. I just don't want to buy something this big and then be dissatisfied.

Like I had said from what you describe you really need to look at something custom and not just off the shelf so you can get exactly what you want.

This is one of many places that make the laptops how you want. Just google custom laptops and you can start your research there.

Gaming Laptops - XOTIC PC - Gaming Notebooks - Custom Laptops - Custom Notebooks

the New XPS 15 comes with an option of 4k screen, which is pretty awesome.
Te only downside, other than gloss screen, is the fact some applications don't scale correctly to such hish resolutions.